Ant-Man 3: a Star Wars-style Marvel adventure, carried by an impressive Kang

He may not be the most imposing of Marvel superheroes, but Ant-Man has a place in the MCU today, notably unblocking the situation in Avengers: Endgame. That’s good, the ant-man returns to the cinema today with Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.

A new opus more ambitious than ever, which both launches phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and installs its next chapters, with the highlighting of Cassie Lang (alias Stature) and the formidable Kang the Conqueror. What is this “Ant-Man 3” worth?

Here’s our spoiler-free review of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniain French theaters this Wednesday, February 15.

The film’s story

Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne — aka Ant-Man and the Wasp — and their daughter Cassie find themselves immersed in the Quantum Realm, along with Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne. They will interact with strange new creatures and embark on an odyssey that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. They will especially face Kang the Conqueror, ambiguous leader of this new world.

Our review ofAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

When he arrived in the MCU, few people suspected that Ant-Man was going to be an essential link in the Marvel universe. The first two movies (released in 2015 and 2018) were largely forgettable, and Scott Lang was thought doomed to tiny adventures. But the hero embodied by Paul Rudd finally came into his own in his last appearances, and proved to be a gateway to the Quantum Realm and the horizons of the Multiverse. A potential that he embraces today with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

No more robberies in San Francisco, this “Ant-Man 3” propels us into the subatomic dimension for a micro and cosmic adventure that looks like Star Wars. A refreshing variation at Marvel, a pretext for a gallery of creatures as astonishing as they are exciting, which will remind some of the atmosphere of Guardians of the Galaxy. The organic and shifting Quantum Realm is also a great achievement in art direction and is definitely one of the highlights of a film centered on the relentless Kang.

Because Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is also — and above all — the film of its antagonist Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors (Creed III, Lovecraft Country). Like Thanos in his time, Kang imposes on each of his scenes, and Majors delivers a truly impressive performance. But if he succeeds in his villain, the film is also very dependent on it.

Leaving the scenes of the Kangs, the story does not manage to escape from a lazy Marvel mold populated by functional characters, including a Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton) far from being the inspiring heroine of the future MCU. Mention also to the second villain of the film, a mixture of questionable artistic choices and crude writing.

This laziness also transpires in the realization. The staging of Peyton Reed (director of the film Yes Man, it can’t be invented) snores gently between two shots-reverse shots, never managing to create stakes, and showing its inability to film action scenes in a readable way. Where Sam Raimi had (a little) fun in a few scenes of Doctor Strange 2the two inspired and impressive sequences – you will recognize them – of this “Ant-Man 3” are rather to be credited to the special effects team.

A unique and exciting universe, a neat artistic direction, an impressive villain… All the ingredients were there to shake up the MCU a bit. But too wise, too programmatic and stuck in its Marvel mould, this “Ant-Man 3” ultimately remains only friendly entertainment. If you expect this, you will be delighted. If you were hoping for more, you will probably be left wanting.

Far from the poverty of Thor: Love and Thunderand better balanced than Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is certainly above the lot of recent Marvel productions, but cannot get rid of this little taste of missed opportunity. It’s better than nothing, shall we say.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania hits theaters this Wednesday, February 15.

Where to see Marvel movies and series?

If you are a fan of Marvel movies and series, only one place: Disney+. The streaming platform offers almost all MCU films, as well as many series, including Wanda vision, Loki, Moon Knight And Miss Marvel.