Movie Review Ant-man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023) *No Spoilers*

I haven't seen this movie yet but I bet it's not as bad as everyone says. Is what I wrote as a place holder for my draft post review of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Now that it's finally come to Disney+ for no extra cost, I can say I was right. Sure, it seems fans weren't rushing to rewatch it with a 70% drop off in its second week box office takings but it's still performed about the same as the other two Antman solo films.

I'm not sure exactly why I skipped this one in theatres. Though I am sure the poor reviews had something to do with it.

Obviously it took me so long to see it because, Disney, there is no way in hell I'm paying a premium price to rent a movie (or in this case, the only option was to buy it as a digital movie) when I'm paying for a monthly Disney+ subscription.

The one thing I will not purchase is a movie as a digital only file. I want it on physical media or not at all (I have all the MCU movies on physical media - even the ones people generally rank lower on their movie lists).

I'll rent a movie on digital but not at a premium price. I would've rented this movie if I'd even been given that option but no, I could only buy it on digital.

So... mini rant over.

This movie we see Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) getting back into daily life. He's written a book, people like him for saving the world, and he's all about spending more time with his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton).

Evidently not nearly enough time to know what she's doing in her spare time, like all the 'Ant Science' she's building with Dr. Hank Pym and future step grandad (probably) (Michael Douglas) in his basement.

One such project sends signals into the Quantum realm, which is not a good idea according to Cassie's future step grandma (probably), Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer), who is immediately proven right seconds later, as the main cast is sucked into said realm. Chaos ensues, as they try to find a way out.

To some degree I think people's expectations for this movie were set a little too high, since it's the first time we see another more sinister variant of he who remains (Jonathan Majors) known as Kang The Conqueror. In some respects he's too serious a villain for the film - where as the he who remains variant probably would've fit right in.

This is also an Antman movie, known to be more light hearted and comedic. Which is how we get a character like M.O.D.O.K (Corey Stoll). While the character could've used another pass on the VFX so the face didn't look quite so 'pasted on' I enjoyed the humor the character brought to the table. 

Oh... the Wasp, Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), is in this movie. I do agree with other reviews I've heard, this is the second movie where the Wasp has been in the title but not really given much to do. If anything this is original Wasp, Janet's turn to shine. Perhaps Hope needs her own movie 'The Wasp and the Little Guy I have to Watch Out For Because He Might Hog My Screen Time' (probably too long a title for the poster).

Much of the movie is a VFX feast for the eyes but not in a wonderful, amazing kind of way, where everything feels real and believable. It's not bad either but you're very aware the Quantum Realm is a dark CGI looking world rather than a tactile place that could exist (unlike an AVATAR movie for example).

That said, there is a lot going on, with a lot of new weird and wonderful Quantum Realm characters to help keep the pace moving. Whatever short comings the movie has it's still a fun ride and not the train wreck it's made out to be.

I enjoyed it and I'd choose this over the previous Dr. Strange movie if I was given a choice on movie night. Like all the Antman movies, it's a lot of fun. It just maybe had the wrong variant of Kang to go up against.