Movie Review: “Ant-Man and the Wasp”

One of the biggest successes of the Marvel movies is that the makers seem to think like the audience. So, after the emotionally heavy “Avengers: Infinity War”, it isn’t surprising that the next instalment is a light, breezy, fun caper. “Ant-Man and the Wasp” is a refreshing change, with down to earth stakes and a more personal story.

“Ant-Man and the Wasp” picks up a bit after the events of “Captain America: Civil War”. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is under house arrest for helping Captain America during the events of that movie – with only days left for his sentence to get over, he is contacted by Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) after he has a vision of Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), Hope’s mother who was stuck in the quantum realm. Hope and Hank are trying to find a way to get Janet back, but have to deal with the FBI, some black-market dealers and an adversary called Ghost, who can walk through walls. Their efforts to get Janet back forms the plot of the movie.

This movie, like the first Ant-Man movie, works on account of the fun element and the easy charm of its actors. Paul Rudd is as likeable as ever, though it was Evangeline Lilly who was the highlight for me. The interactions between Rudd, Lilly and Michael Douglas provide some of the best moments. But, like the first movie, the scene stealer is Michael Pena – his comic timing is impeccable and the gag where he narrates incidents with the actors acting it out is still comic gold.

The plot can seem a bit muddled with too many players in the mix, but at the heart of it the screenplay is more about the laughs and the action sequences. The size shifting antics are great, and the action sequences deliver enough excitement. The effects team has done a great job here. The relationships are also well etched out here – I thought the interactions between Scott and his daughter Cassie were especially well done.

To sum up, though “Ant-Man and the Wasp” may not be the best in the impressive list of movies in the Marvel cinematic universe, it is still a nice change of pace and probably what the audience needed. It’s a fun time at the movies, and you will leave the theatre with a smile in your face. Definitely worth a watch. (Needless to say by now, but remember to stay till the credits are done.)