Here’s yet another Marvel film where I scan clearly see the flaws in it while overall still finding plenty to enjoy. I can see parts of Ant-Man: Quantumania that certainly feel rushed, as if Marvel Studios and director Peyton Reed were on a specific timetable to get this out.
I would easily rank this entry firmly in the mid-tier of MCU content, feeling much more realized than the Eternals or Inhumans but also not breaking any particular new ground for the filmmakers here.
Ideally, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) would be contently enjoying his new book tour and life with significant other Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lily), who’s running a foundation in her father’s name, but parenting for them is equally as difficult as saving the universe. Now being played by Kathryn Newton, Scott’s daughter Cassie’s grown into a teenager with her father’s penchant for getting into trouble. She’s got a shrink suit of her own and a desire to study the quantum realm.
Sadly, her first boot-up sends her and her family hurtling down into said alternate universe. Navigating their way back home will require them to escape Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), an evil overlord banished to the quantum realm who’s built his own tyrannical empire and is fighting a revolt from the realm’s various alien species.
Majors as Kang sometimes flat out steals this movie- not as if the rest of the cast is that bad, more that he has an interesting blend of poise and unhinged-ness depending on the situation. It’s different from Thanos and how dignified Josh Brolin made him come off, here Majors gives him this manic edge. Seeing as he’s got multiple versions of himself to call upon in the multiverse, I can see where Marvel is clearly planning to build him up as the Avengers’ next final boss.
Personality wise, Paul Rudd’s Scott has always occupied a unique niche in the MCU’s character dynamic. Whereas Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers are the boy scouts, the Guardians being renegade misfits, Peter Parker balancing his heroism with academics and young love, the proud assertiveness of the Wakanda characters, Dr Strange with his haughty mysticism and Thor’s godly overzealousness, Scott oddly feels distinct in his brand of an everyman reforming themselves after walking a bad path.
His protectiveness of Cassie is appealing while Newton gives the daughter enough bravery in her own right, and they’re more or less the heart of the movie. Michael Douglas is still endearingly cranky as Hank Pym, while Michelle Pfeiffer’s Janet is appropriately badass.
So far as the special effects, I’m slightly divided- on one hand there’s some extremely imaginative creature and spaceship designs on display, lots of creativity on the screen. The downside is that it can become visually overwhelming at points, as if the filmmakers are throwing everything at the wall to find what sticks. I got major “Star Wars cantina scene” vibes from when our heroes have a meeting with Bill Murray’s Lord Krylar in a Quantum bar.
And reportedly there was some conflict with much of Marvel’s effects budget going towards Wakanda Forever, leading to perhaps baby one major battle sequence- as ambitious as it clears is- looks so muddled even on a large screen. (Like Strange World, as good as Wakanda was, Ant-Man wound up as another victim of Disney’s divided attention towards the Panther sequel.)
Generally I was mostly fine with Quantumania without thinking it’s a can’t miss Marvel event. It comes off as if this phase of the MCU is deliberately pacing itself as it heads towards bigger crossovers (of which Kang is going to play a key role), yet sometimes it also expects the public to keep up with every single entry. Luckily I feel there’s enough for fans of the Ant-Man character to like with this entry, though it wouldn’t be the first superhero film I’d show a newcomer in order to introduce them to the genre.
So what was your take on it? If you loved or hated Ant-Man 3, let us know your feelings on it as always at FAN’s social media spots!