By Noel Sanchez, Feb. 28, 2023
For the third time since 2015, Paul Rudd has made his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in his new solo film “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantamania.” The movie kicks off the year on an exciting note and continues the story of Scott Lang, played by Rudd, and his family after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.” It allows viewers to take a deep dive into the Quantum Realm with the characters and explore everything that resides in there.
Jonathan Majors makes his first Marvel big screen debut in the film as Kang the Conqueror and continues his story following a cameo in the Disney+ show “Loki.” Evangeline Lilly returns as Hope Van Dyne, also known as the Wasp and Kathryn Newton takes on the role of Cassie Lang for the first time.
Fans are kept on the edge of their seat for the entire two-and-a-half hours while watching this story unfold that is full of action and the fear of the unknown. Director Peyton Reed asks the audience to see just how far certain characters will go to protect what’s important to them — specifically Lang with his daughter.
The film opens with Lang narrating the final excerpt of his new novel that details his experiences fighting alongside the Avengers. Becoming an author is one of the many ways that he attempts to live a normal life and feel content with what he’s done for the world.
However, he comes to find out that in his time away on superhero adventures, his family has followed in his footsteps. Cassie has developed aspirations of her own to help others and also better understand the Quantum Realm.
Lang has a rough history in the Realm in previous films and running away from the past is something that this story just doesn’t allow him to do. After Thanos’ infamous and inevitable finger snap, he was stuck in the Quantum Realmand Janet Van Dyne, mother of Hope, also spent her fair share of time down there in the past.
Van Dyne runs into a new villain during her trip there in Kang, who the studio sets up to be the next Thanos-level threat and learns shocking facts about his backstory.
Like many recent Marvel projects over the past few years, this one is heavy on the multiverse and one’s perception of time. Kang explains in the film that everybody views time in the wrong way. I think that’s very easy for him to say considering he can control it and go anywhere he wants when he’s at his full power.
The theme of safety and companionship is present throughout the film even when it transitions to the Quantum Realm. In very unknown territory, Lang always makes sure to stick with Cassie, and Hope always has her eye on Janet and Hank Pym.
Kang is a prime example of someone who is a leader no matter where he goes. In this story, he is given almost nothing and still figures out a way to put together an empire with him sitting on the throne.
His dominance over others is clear through their expressions of fear due to the pain he’s brought them. Kang’s name is said with hesitance, almost as if characters believe he will magically appear at that moment.
Lang is no stranger to dealing with villains like Thanos that plot to rule everybody before them. Consequently, he treads a lot more carefully in this film than previous ones, knowing that he ventures deeper into the unknown with every step.
Some popular criticisms of recent MCU films have been that they lack proper storylines and focus too much on corny humor. While this “Ant-Man” story certainly has its fair share of jokes and punchlines, audiences left theaters having taken in a number of powerful and emotional exchanges between key characters.However, it would not be a Marvel film if it didn’t set up the future of the MCU.
“Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania” did a great job of continuing Scott’s story and leaves the audience with much anticipation to see when Kang will return.
Feature image courtesy of Lauren Wong