Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

It would be interesting to know how, after two successful films dedicated to the Ant-Man universe, Marvel Studios decided to change the (earthly) universe and to go from an action comedy to a post-Star Wars sci-fi film with its numerous creatures of all kinds and its space battles. Of course, the film places in the center of the story the quantum universe already approached in the first two films and in which some scenes of the two previous films took place to place the whole story in this one. In the same way, Marvel studios have made some strategic choices for this film, rather surprising, such as putting Scott Lang / Ant-man l Hope Pym / the Wasp but also Scott Lang's daughter Cassie in an equal plane. The result is a central character in the background who loses as much of his strength on the screen as his previously omnipresent humor. 

We also regret the absence in this film of the character of Luis (Michael Peña) despite the presence in a secondary role of the actor Bill Murray (Lord Krylar). Despite the fact that the three films are directed by Peyton Reed and thus form a real trilogy, we feel that the center of the film is the introduction of the new character Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors, perfect in the role of the new great villain of the Marvel cinematographic universe). By wanting to flood the screen with special effects that are not always successful when compared to James Cameron's new masterpiece Avatar the Waterway, we could wonder if this film would not have gained in efficiency by continuing to place the action on Earth and not on a hostile planet.

In this new film, Scott Lang finally sees his personal and professional life crowned with success (his book is a bestseller, he is praised and congratulated in the street, he lives with Hope Pym in harmony) despite the fact that he seems not to pay enough attention to his daughter Cassie. However, uncontrolled elements will propel him, his daughter Hope and Henry Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne into the Quantum Realm and they will have to face the tyrant Kang the Conqueror but also MODOK and a highly trained army. However, they will be able to count on the help of rebels but also of Henry Hank Pym's ants who have experienced an important exponential growth by entering this new universe making them more intelligent and stronger.

While the Marvel studio films have been used to terribly efficient blockbusters punctuated by very strong action scenes, this new film seems to show the beginnings of a lack of scripted inspiration despite a perfect cast once again. The too strong abundance of special effects that seems to be made for this film to be discovered in IMAX also seems to be a way to hide real scenarist weaknesses and especially a lack of rhythm at times. The impression of seeing a pyrotechnic show too mechanical makes that the pleasure taken here does not reach the level of the two previous films.

However, this film benefits from undeniable qualities, starting with the excellent music of Christophe Beck which allows this opus to be watched in total immersion. The importance of having the presence of a gifted composer and passionate about his art allows to create a real atmosphere helping the spectators to enter the story. The strong link between the director Peyton Reed and the composer Christophe Beck is clearly visible on the screen. In the same way, we feel that the actors take pleasure in playing together and this helps to counterbalance a scenario that would have benefited from being better mastered as is the impeccable direction.  

Finally, what would be a Marvel Studios film without its scene or scenes at the end of the credits. The spectators can have here two outstanding scenes. The first one allows to continue the action of this movie by showing Kang the conqueror will be one of the most powerful villains of the Marvel universe. The other scene is related to a Marvel Studios series featuring Loki. We won't say more to allow the audience to appreciate them at their true value. Last advice, go and see this movie in Imax version to appreciate it at its true value and even if it's not the best movie of Marvel Studios it's still a successful movie and above all it shows that Marvel Studios will keep their supremacy in terms of superheroes adaptations in movies for a long time.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Directed by Peyton Reed
Written by Jeff Loveness
Based on Ant-Man by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby
Produced by Kevin Feige
Starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathryn Newton, Jonathan Majors
Cinematography : William Pope
Edited by Adam Gerstel, Laura Jennings
Music by Christophe Beck
Production company : Marvel Studios
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date : February 15, 2023 (France), February 17, 2023 (United States)
Running time : 125 minutes

Seen on February 14, 2023 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 11 IMAX seat E19

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