Reactions to the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) were mixed, also due to the low story connection between films like Eternals, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness or Thor 4: Love and Thunder.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania aims to change that. The third solo film from Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man forms the prelude of fifth phase of the MCU and as such introduces a new villain. His name is Kang and just as Thanos was the antagonist of the Infinity saga, he is said to have a similar role in the so-called Multiverse saga take over, which runs up to and including phase 6.
So there are great expectations of the superhero with the bug penchant, and the reviews have been divided so far. Here in the article you will learn what is praised and what is criticized. And above all: Is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania worth it in the cinema?
The plot: In Ant-Man 3, Kang introduces himself as a villain
With the help of the scientist couple Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) manages to penetrate Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) into the quantum realm, where his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton) was accidentally sent. This is a strange new world full of strange creatures.
Check out the trailer for the MCU film here:
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – Trailer 2 (German) HD
There, Scott eventually meets a certain Kang (Jonathan Majors), who may look familiar to Loki audiences. However, this time it is a variation of the antagonist The one who stays, whom Tom Hiddleston’s anti-hero met in the Marvel series finale. And this variation called Kang has big plans.
Ant-Man 3 reactions in brief: Kang gets the most praise
So far, Ant-Man 3 has had an average of a disappointing 53 percent on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, and the score on Metacritic is also mid-table. Above all, one man is praised: Jonathan Majors as Kang.
In The Guardian, Ellen E Jones misses the popular supporting characters from previous Ant-Man films, such as Michael Peñas Luis, but finds an intriguing newcomer in Kang:
Majors brings the same intense it-boy energy as Adam Driver did in Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens. Notice how his eyes water at that empathy for his victimseven as he tries to suppress her.
Frank Scheck of the Hollywood Reporter describes as “really scary villain”.
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Jonathan Majors in Ant-Man 3
AVClub’s Matthew Huff summarizes the numerous parallels to Star Wars together and writes:
Compared to bores like Thor 4 and most MCU series, Quantumania is definitely entertaining from start to finish, and it’s the first film since Endgame that’s really about something.
What’s being criticized: Too much MCU in an Ant-Man movie
A recurring criticism of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is its ties to the MCU, which makes the film stand out in comparison to its Ant-Man predecessors overloaded and deliberately serious let work. Rolling Stone writer David Fear describes it this way:
Quantumania is simultaneous heavy without feeling substantialalmost desperate in his sullen mood. […] Besides that, Eternals feels downright light-footed.
AP News’ Lindsay Bahr praises majors, but finds the multiverse blockbuster straying from its many themes.
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Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Justin Chang of the LA Times recognizes one “new low in the Marvel machinery”, also because the (CGI) world of the new Ant-Man film never feels as believable as in the two previous adventures of the MCU hero. He summarizes that this “so-called entertainment” more like housework.
Ant-Man 3: Watch in cinemas or wait for Disney+?
Based on the reviews, going to the cinema Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is especially worthwhile for Fans who are particularly loyal to the Marvel Cinematic Universe are. Especially because of possible spoilers and credits sequences, an early visit is recommended before you involuntarily notice anything about it on social media.
Quantumania is also recommended for anyone who likes Loki’s multiverse shenanigans and especially the first Enter Jonathan Majors would like.
Who only occasionally stops by the MCU and Ultron hardly distinguishable from Thanos be said: You can confidently catch up on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in your home cinema.