Kang is Here.
And he isn’t here to play.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA is a splendid visual feast. It’s visually the best of the Ant-Man movies, complete with humor, heart, and the tie-in to the Kang Dynasty we’ve been waiting for.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA Movie Review – Big Surprises, Little Misses, and a Giant Entrance to Phase 5
Of the three Ant-Man films, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA is visually the most fascinating and wild, and it will incite your imagination as you enter a whole world of worlds beyond time and space. Microscopic organisms and more come to life in the Quantum Realm as Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne, Cassie Lang, Hank Pym, and Janet Van Dyne delve into a weird and wild unexpected universe.
Fans of the family-themed Ant-Man stories will enjoy seeing the whole family fighting together in the Quantum Realm. It’s rare to see a whole family of superheroes together on screen, and the Lang-Van Dyne-Pym family in action together in the QR universe is a fun family vibe we need more of in action movies. The emotion that drives this Phase 5 entry is something we hope to see carried throughout the phase.
With nods to films such as The Wizard of Oz (family in another world), Star Wars, Dune, Strange World, and many other sci-fi/fantasy films, QUANTUMANIA absolutely has another worldly feel.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA Movie Review – What Works
Jonathan Majors is on FIRE as Kang the Conqueror. Majors commands every scene he’s in, in a way few actors can—those familiar with the “Loki” series on Disney+ understand that Tom Hiddleston’s Loki has met his match in gravitas. We’re so looking forward to season 2 of “Loki” to see more of this duo on screen.
Majors is a brilliant actor. What he can deliver in a single look is more imposing than what some actors can do in an entire scene. The depth he brings to his role as Kang is delightfully terrifying. To sum up his performance in one word? Chilling.
Kathryn Newton is baller in her Marvel Studios debut as Cassie Lang. We need more smart, snarky Gen Z teens in the MCU stat.
Paul Rudd brings his normal charming self to a whole new elevated level.
Michelle Pfieffer and Michael Douglas have much-expanded, more prominent roles, and it’s nice to see the OG Ant-Man and The Wasp get some time together on screen to work as a power superhero couple as we know they did back in the day and in the comics.
Evangeline Lily‘s Hope excels as a humanitarian superhero and stepmother to a teenage daughter. Her presence warms every scene she’s in, and the chemistry she and Paul Rudd bring to the Ant-Man and the Wasp relationship is so authentic.
David Dastmalchian‘s role as Veb is lovable and comedic. While the “Antourage” from the first Ant-Man movie is a hilarious trio, it’s nice to see Dastmalchian back in the franchise.
The Music
Just like the first two Ant-Man movies in the franchise, the soundtrack for QUANTUMANIA is sick.
- Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania theme (2022), Jared Moreno Luna
- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Remastered (2014), Elton John
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love Remastered (2011), Queen
- Fooled Around and Fell in Love, Elvin Bishop
- Easy, Commodores
- Chosen One, TWO-FEW
- Airplane Mode, Dude Reppin Knowhere
- Flowstate, M4ch1n3
- Bad Lovin’, Slapbak
- Yummy Mommy, Sunstroke Project
- Lights, Journey
- Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest
- Baby Come Back, Player
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA Movie Review – What Doesn’t Work
M.O.D.O.K. is a choice—and an interesting one. The design is weird, to say the least. Leaning into the absurdity that is M.O.D.O.K. (Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing) is one thing, but the squished human face in almost every scene was a bit too much perhaps? The mask was a better rendition for showing MODOK, as the face was really distracting.
Michael Pena‘s Luis is noticeably absent again from this 3rd Ant-Man installment, but there were ample opportunities for even a brief cameo that would have made a brilliant addition to our favorite storyteller. Total miss from a narrative perspective.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA Movie Review – Post Credit and End Credit Scenes
We won’t spoil them, but there are two great stingers in this one. One post-credit scene and one end-credit scene that you won’t want to miss.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA Movie Review – Verdict
As a whole, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is a wild, weird ride into a new realm with many familiar faces and introduces us to some new characters we’ve anxiously been awaiting. Fans of the first two Ant-Man films will probably enjoy this one, given it features many of the same core actors and is done by the same director.
While Jeff Loveness’ script may not be for everyone, it’s definitely here to remind us that not only is family (and chosen family) the most important thing but that the MCU is a beautiful, mysterious, and wild place yet to be explored.
About ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA
Super Heroes Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and The Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), and Scott’s daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible. Directed by Peyton Reed and produced by Kevin Feige and Stephen Broussard, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania also stars Jonathan Majors as Kang, David Dastmalchian as Veb, Katy O’Brian as Jentorra, William Jackson Harper as Quaz and Bill Murray as Lord Krylar. The sci-fi adventure opens in theaters on Feb. 17, 2023.
Director: Peyton Reed
Producers: Kevin Feige, Stephen Broussard
Executive Producers: Victoria Alonso, Louis D’Esposito, Kevin de la Noy
Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Douglas, Kathryn Newton, David Dastmalchian, Katy O’Brian, William Jackson Harper, Bill Murray
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is in theatres February 17, 2023
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