While we are still recovering from the heartache and trauma caused by 'Avenger: Infinity War', 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' comes as a great palate cleanser as phase four of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is approaching its end.
Rating: 4/5
Picking up roughly two years after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) is approaching the end of his house arrest sentence following the Sokovia Accords.
However, his time in the Quantum Realm has unknowingly provided a way for Dr Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and his daughter Hope Van Dyne/The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) to finally rescue Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) from the Quantum Realm.
It’s really strange to think that another Marvel movie is upon us, seeing that most of us fans were had only just been released from the “Infinity War Rehabilitation Centre” following the trauma Thanos caused with half the universe evaporating into dust.
However, here we are again and the genius of the MCU yet again shines with Ant-Man and the Wasp entertaining with an isolated story that still fits into the bigger picture.
Director Peyton Reed returns to the helm and has produced one of the funniest films in the MCU, rivalling both Thor: Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy when it comes to laughing out loud moments.
The best part of this film, and the MCU as a whole is that because of the way the universe is structured, we can jump straight into character development and action without the need for exposition-heavy scenes.
This allows Reed to give us not only a funny film but a movie that moves at the perfect pace without being bogged down by “explaino” scenes.
Marvel is also starting to address their villain issues with Ava/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) more of an antagonist than a villain. Even as a new character, she is a fully realised person with a valid motive for her actions.
This movie does have some hints that provide links to Avengers 4, with one of the fan theories being not so subtly confirmed. There are also two post credit scenes, but you can leave after the first one since it’s the only one that’s important for the upcoming Captain Marvel and Avengers 4 films.
Ant-Man and the Wasp is one fun ride which never loses its steam. What can I say? The MCU is a well-oiled machine at this point and it doesn’t seem as if anyone will catch up *cough DCEU cough* as it continues its dominance at the cinema.