REVIEW: ‘Ant-Man & the Wasp’

Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lily, Michael Douglas, Michael Pena, Hannah John-Kamen and Laurence Fishburne.

Director: Peyton Reed 

Plot:  Hope Van Dyne and the original ‘Ant-Man’ Dr. Hank Pym rope in Scott Lang on a new mission-locating the original ‘Wasp’, Dr. Janet Van Dyne who is trapped in the quantum realm.

Date of Release: June 25, 2018

Fresh from the stables of Marvel Studios and movie no. 20 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Rudd, Douglas and Lily reprise their roles from the previous movie- 2015’s Ant-Man.  As with many super hero movies, well most of them, the audience are in for an adventurous ride. We see the return of Michael Peña (CHiPs) and David Dastmalchain (The Flash) who along with rapper T.I and Fresh off the Boat actor Randall Park serve as the movie’s comic relief. For non-Marvel fans, it’s actually best to watch Ant-Man first!

In this sequel, Hank Pym and his daughter Lily-a lot closer than they were in Ant-Man- have been working together to find a way of rescuing Dr. Janet Van Dyne, trapped in the quantum realm for 30 years. Scott is dragged into the mission after ‘receiving’ a message from Janet. Rather inconvenient for our titular hero to be wandering around, as he’s under house arrest for his actions in Captain America: Civil War. But considering same actions were the reasons Dr. Hank and Hope are in hiding from the FBI, it was his chance to atone. However, not only did they have to dodge the Feds and a very annoying criminal Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) - who wants his slimy hands on Hank’s eh... portable lab- to sell to the highest bidder on the Black Market, but also a mysterious Shadow Cat-like Ava Starr (played superbly by English actress Hannah John-Kamen) who needs the lab for her own reasons. John-Kamen was about the only sinister presence in the movie, Burch was simply ridiculous, ditto his henchmen. Doesn’t mean you won’t take the movie itself seriously though.

Ant-Man & The Wasp is a fun ride, full of the usual visual effects- lots of shrinking and enlarging- ass kicking and  more comedic than dark scenes but not downright silly like Batman and Robin. Speaking of D.C Comics, may I point out that Lawrence Fishburne (who plays Hank’s estranged partner Ben Foster) and Michelle Pfeiffer’s  (who played Janet Van Pyne) presence is a little mind blowing as Fishburne was Perry White in D.C’s Man of Steel and Pfeiffer’s memorable role as Catwoman in Batman Returns is still fresh in our minds.

Known for being in comedies, Paul Rudd’s career has definitely taken a huge leap in this role; he wears the mantle of Ant-man/Scott Lang with style. All through the movie, veteran actor Michael Douglas switches between exasperation, sarcasm and dry wit; and his scenes where he exchanging heated barbs with Fishburne will have you in stitches. And of course there was the chemistry between Rudd and Lily; and sweet moments with Rudd and his little co-star Abby Ryder Forster who played his adorable daughter, Cassie.

Like I said earlier, a fun ride... but make sure you check out the post credits!