It's difficult for sequels to reach the heights of the first film in a series, because it's a little trickier to surprise the audience the second time around.
Ant-Man and The Wasp avoid that trap by creating, for all intents and purposes, the second half of the story that began in the first movie.
The movie has some bits of business to sort out (and bring us all up to date). Scott Lang / Ant-Man (played by the funny and likable Paul Rudd) is under house arrest following the events in Captain America: Civil War - but his old allies, Hank Pym (the authoritative Michael Douglas) and Hope Van Dyne / The Wasp (the wonderful, stunning, scene-stealing Evangeline Lilly), are on the run from the authorities (and lurking in a very cool hideout), and they need Lang's help.
In the first film, Scott traveled to the Quantum Realm, and he may have brought back the secret of tracking down Pym's wife, Janet Van Dyne (the luminous Michelle Pfeiffer), who's been lost there for 30 years - but they must overcome the menace of the mysterious figure known as Ghost (the moody and enigmatic Hannah John-Kamen).
The film wisely brings back Michael Peña as Luis, Lang's fast-talking best friend (he's absolutely hilarious in every scene), and adds the wonderfully villainous Walton Goggins as Tech Dealer Sonny Burch, who chews the scenery with gusto.
This is one of the funniest of the Marvel movies, it moves fast and is loaded with lots of clever action sequences and size-changing fun. The Wasp is a delight throughout, romping through fight scenes with great gusto.
The only thing that works against this movie is that it appears in the same year as Avengers: Infinity War and Black Panther, two incredible, over-the-top blockbusters - while Ant-Man and The Wasp, despite having Marvel's biggest (and smallest) heroes in action, is actually a must more personal and touching film.
It's also a heck of a lot of fun, and it's suitable for the whole family.
The heroes may be small, but they have big hearts and are fighting for all the right reasons.
Highly recommended!
Grade: A-
------------------
3 comments:
You forgot to mention the great Lawrence Fishburn as Dr. Bill (Black Goliath/Giant-Man) Foster.
The Wasp has bumped Black Widow. Ms. Lilly was definitely having fun! And that smile.....! But Luis' Truth Serum gag practically stole the movie!
Pure fun!
At this point, prior to Captain Marvel, Wasp is by far Marvel's leading super heroine. She was really the star of this movie: smart and a great fighter with great tech. Ant-Man was almost relegated to her sidekick. She eclipsed Black Widow in every way.
I agree that The Wasp is a terrific action hero - and I look forward to her being part of The Avengers at some point. Imagine the conversation between Natasha, Hope, Carol and Wanda!
Post a Comment