Movie Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Action, laughs, effects

Cons: All cons shrunk to microscopic size

The Bottom Line:

Size shifting heroes

Movie filled with laughs, action

A delight for all

Ant-Man is Back for another Epic Size-Shifting Adventure

Fans for the Marvel Cinematic Universe were quick to note the one hero that was missing from Avengers: Infinity War – Ant-Man.  I wasn’t that surprised since he had his own stand along moving coming out just two months later.  Ant-Man and the Wasp is set about the same time as the latest Avengers movie, and is a fun, wild ride.

It’s been two years since we last saw Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man (Paul Rudd).  After getting captured following his adventure with Cap (as Captain America’s friends call him), Scott has spent the last two years under house arrest.  He’s three days away from getting his ankle bracelet removed, and he’s doing everything by the book to avoid violating the terms of his deal, which would get him sent to prison for 20 years.

One of those terms was avoiding any contact with Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas).  He’s been very good about that as well until a very vivid dream makes him think he might have had contact with Hope’s mother, who disappeared into the sub-atomic world decades ago.  Next thing he knows, he’s working with Hope and Hank to rescue Janet.  Unfortunately, they’ve attracted the attention of a mysterious Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) who can phase in and out of existence as well as some thugs lead by Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins).  Will they be able to rescue Janet without the FBI catching Scott breaking his deal?  Or will these added complications make it impossible?

Without spoiling anything, I can tell you that you are in for a very fun ride.  I was laughing the entire way through the movie, as was the audience I saw the movie with.  There are fantastic lines and funny situations from start to finish.  I think I was smiling the entire time even when I wasn’t laughing.

And, of course, there is plenty of action.  As the title suggestion, Hope is in on the action as The Wasp, and that means double the size changing action as she and Scott work together to save the day.  Those looking for action won’t be disappointed either.

The special effects team must have had to work overtime on the film.  With all the size changes, there are so many effects shots it is mind boggling.  Yet each of them came out perfectly believable.

With all the action and laughs, there isn’t a lot of time for serious character development.  Yet when the story does slow down a little, the actors shine at those quieter moments.  They never miss a beat throughout the entire film.

As we’ve come to expect, there are two additional scenes, one near the beginning of the credits and one at the very end.  You MUST stay for the first scene, and that’s all I will say about it.  The second scene is fun, but not a must see.

I’m sure the events of this film will dovetail with the upcoming Avengers sequel in some way, although I’ve no idea how that will happen.  It just made me more anxious for next May to roll around so we can get the cliffhanger resolved.

Marvel has proved again that they know how to make an audience pleasing movie.  Ant-Man and the Wasp will leave audiences smiling as they await the next adventure with these characters.