Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania Review - Kang's Quantum Realm Is Visually Appealing But Hypothetically Lame

Marvel Studios begins the 5th phase with Peyton Reed's Ant-Man 3, aka Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Marvel's first three phases made them the most popular franchise worldwide, but the fourth phase struggled a little bit due to a lot of new entries and repetitive stuff. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania comes as the beginning of a new phase with old superheroes, but it introduces us to the new super villain, Kang. Everybody is curious to see who's going to take a group of Avengers after Thanos, and here's the answer. It's not a complete answer, though. You'll probably have to wait for a few more movies and series from Phase 5 of the MCU to get to know him. Remember, how did we learn about Thanos in 2018's Infinity War—much later than his first appearance in the end credit scene of The Avengers movie? Kang will take his time to return. And don't you dare miss both the end-credit scenes.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania takes us on a new journey with Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), along with Hope's parents, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Lang's daughter, Cassie (Kathryn Newton), as they attempt a new scientific experiment of reading the quantum realm without entering it. Cassie sends a message into the quantum realm, which opens the door for the world beneath them to pull the entire family into it. While trying to get out of the world beneath, they are hunted by Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), who happens to be a killer and has some past connections with Janet. Will Scott and his family be able to fight the powerful Kang and stop him from getting out of his cage?

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is theoretically weak film. There was scope to take a fresh start as the world was totally new and quite fascinating for the old MCU fans, but the kind of cliches it uses are highly repetitive. Every superhero film shows us a strong and smart villain, yet he/she doesn't have enough brains to kill the hero or his family members when he/she has the chance. Every time, they would escape by hitting weak pigeons standing or walking on their right and left. It doesn't happen just once, but multiple times and in every single superhero movie. And why the heck does every supervillain have to look weak in the last half-hour of the film? Kang was so strong and mighty in the beginning; how did he end up being a loser? Whenever there's a new world, why does it have to have the Star Wars kind of structure and creatures that were new in 1977? As expected, Quantumania follows the same path, faces the same conflicts, and loses all the powers of its storyline.

Superhero films casually demand high acting skills, so let's not go deep while discussing it. Paul Rudd has been our Ant-Man since 2015, and with each appearance, he got better. Quantumania has various roles and appearances for him (some kind of multiverse/posibility) and each one is exciting. Evangeline Lilly remained underrated for years as the Wasp, and the struggle continues with the third film. However, Kang, aka Jonathan Majors, stole the show here. You might hate him for being cruel, but his antagonism is definitely lovable. Michelle Pfeiffer and Kathryn Newton have got good roles, surprisingly, and they look cute in them. Michael Douglas' hunt for a nice role in the MCU continues, while Katy O'Brian is fairly watchable. Bill Murray's charm is unbeatable even in a small role, whereas the supporting cast of some ugly-looking creatures is decent.

Marvel Studios achieved their best VFX with Doctor Strange (2016), and they are not able to surpass that (strictly my personal opinion). With Ant-Man 3, it seems they have gone a little bit farther than where the previous few films have reached. Kang's world is visually appealing, and those colourful sprinkles are extremely beautiful. I wish I could have seen it in 3D, especially the second half of the film. The cinematography is somewhat pleasant, the editing is better than all the MCU films made after Endgame, and the background score is underwhelming. The Ant-Man franchise has yet to change directors, which reminds me that Peyton Reed needs a holiday. Three films and still no breakthrough for this amazing superhero; how? I mean, if Ant-Man is so uncanny and freaking gigantic compared to other MCU superheroes like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk and others, then why isn't he considered bigger than them? The storytelling and that connection with audiences are missing, and the same goes here. The Kang comes from nowhere and shines in the first film itself; why didn't it happen with Ant-Man? Does the Wasp and Cassie make him weak? On the comedy part, it's funny to see him getting humiliated by an ordinary coffee shop owner, but above all, he has to tell his family too that he is an "Avenger", and they would still not believe? The joke's on the character and the film, then. Reed could have avoided many flaws like this and particularly that massive Darren's face. Was that really needed here? A big NO from my side. Despite many shortcomings, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania still keeps you busy with engaging conversions and eye-pleasing visuals, so you better go with low expectations.