Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Edwin Arnaudin: You're a longtime comic book reader, but how do you feel about the MCU overall and the first two Ant-Man films in particular?
Isa Whitaker: I personally like both Ant-Man films, especially being a father myself and seeing the relationship between Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and his daughter Cassie, and the different trials he’s had to face.
Overall, I've really enjoyed the MCU movies, too. I grew up watching the Spider-Man and X-Men animated shows and the original live action films — Sam Raimi's original Spider-Man is my favorite — and since the emergence of the MCU, I've learned about so many other characters I had little or no knowledge about.
Edwin: Sounds like we have a similar foundation. Ant-Man never came up in those adaptations, so he was completely new to me when the 2015 film was released. It's such a weird character that I was disappointed by how conventional the origin story felt.
I attribute that flatness to the movie being a mix of ideas from original writer/director Edgar Wright and eventual helmer Peyton Reed. But I far prefer Ant-Man and The Wasp, which is wholly Reed's vision instead of a mishmash of styles.
What expectations did you have for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania — including the addition of Kang the Conquerer (Jonathan Majors, The Last Black Man in San Francisco) to this series — and were they met, or even exceeded?
Isa: I knew that Quantumania was the beginning of Phase 5, and the first introduction of Kang (the MCU's new big bad), and that it would be a deeper dive into the Quantum Realm. I thought Kang showed up and showed out in Quantumania, and thoroughly enjoyed learning more about his origin and seeing his power at work.
I’d say my expectations were met, although I would have liked a bit more explanation about the Quantum Realm and the history of it's inhabitants.
Edwin: After the MCU checklist feel of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, I feared that Quantumania would get into similar trouble delving into the Quantum Realm as Scott, Hope (Evangeline Lilly), and family are sucked into the sub-dimension. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much information former captive Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer, finally given a chance to shine in this series) was able to provide while on the run and making sense of their unusual predicament.
And I agree with you about the Realm's residents. They're just kind of... there. If Disney+ made a series on them, I would definitely watch, especially if they're presented as weird and wonderfully as they are here. This is one bizarre movie with crazy sights up with Thor: Love and Thunder's screaming goats — and I'm here for it!
Which new characters made the biggest impact on you?
Isa: I would definitely watch that series as well, and I think I'll have to go with Kang for this one. I felt like he grabbed my attention in every scene he was in, and I found myself eager to learn more about his history and his various variants. Some of the Quantum Realm residents were interesting, but didn't really make that big of an impression.
Edwin: Majors definitely shows why he’s one of our most exciting young stars early and often, and I look forward to seeing more of him as Phase 5 progresses. He's understandably a serious fellow, not interested in cracking wise, so I was elated to have such oddballs as walking sack of goo Veb (voiced by David Dastmalchian) — as well as his goofy obsession with holes — plus reluctant mind-reader Quaz (William Jackson Harper) and the return of Ant-Man villain Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) in his wacky new M.O.D.O.K. form to lighten the mood.
Kathryn Newton (Freaky) as the now teenage Cassie is also a welcome addition. But while I'm one of the world's biggest Bill Murray fans, his all too brief and inconsequential appearance as Lord Krylar made me wonder why he was in there at all.
Being an MCU film, there's of course plenty of action sequences and extensive special effects. Did any examples stand out to you as being particularly exciting or eye-popping?
Isa: I agree, Veb and Quaz are awesome additions and stand out among the rest, adding comic relief and interesting moments. But M.O.D.O.K. felt a bit out of place at times, like a random throw-in, but was also pretty funny and actually came around in the end.
As for the visuals, I've honestly been a little frustrated with the MCU and the way they've handled their special effects. At times I feel like they’re somewhat lacking, and while some of the CGI in Quantumania looks a little choppy, the Quantum Realm is frequently breathtaking. Considering Disney can produce movies as visually stunning as, say, Avatar, I find myself expecting more on the effects side of things.
Edwin: I hear you. Quantumania reminded me of the Star Wars prequels and also a trippier version of Dune at times — mostly in a good way. And I'm glad I didn't see it in 3D. The few times I've gone that route with the MCU, the dark visuals make me regret my choice.
Overall, I consider this third full-length adventure with Ant-Man a great success and up there with my favorites from Phase 4: Black Widow and Love and Thunder. It was cruising along in solid B-plus territory until the stunning finale, which had my eyes wide with glee. The tag scenes are also particularly well done and nicely set up future films and the second season of a particular TV show that left my fellow moviegoers cheering. All told, it gets an A-minus from me.
Isa: I skipped the 3D route as well. It's been a few years since I saw a movie in 3D but I remember being disappointed as it didn't stand up to how 3D movies were in the ’90s.
I enjoyed Quantumania overall as well, and would put it up there with Multiverse of Madness and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — favorites of mine from Phase 4. With some areas of the story and CGI feeling a little weak at times, and the MCU's continuing infatuation with unnecessary crude humor, I'd give it an overall B-plus.
Grade: A-minus. Rated PG-13. Now playing at AMC River Hills 10, Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., Carolina Cinemark, and Regal Biltmore Grande.
(Photo: Marvel Studios)
