"Do you Know how hard it is to learn New ways to Entertain Someone?" Ant-Man and the Wasp Review

Ant-Man and the Wasp

1.5/5

Directed by: Peyton Reed

Rated: PG-13

           The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a massive franchise, comprised of 20 different movies. Half of these movies are sequels. A common thread between each of these movies is that they each follow the story of one or more super heroes and their battle against one or more super villains in order to save a group of people often referred to as civilians. Though some people have grown more than tired of the MCU, most audience members have stuck with the franchise. This could be because its movie's (for the most part) are fun, enjoyable stories about super heroes saving the day. Perhaps this seemingly guaranteed experience the MCU offers is no longer a guarantee. The proof of this might be found in the MCU's latest entry, Ant-Man and the Wasp.
           In Ant-Man and the Wasp Scott Lang, Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), is under house arrest, until Hope Van Dyne, the Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), springs Scott free in order to make him help her save her mom. Along with Scott and Hope is Hope's dad Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man (Michael Douglas). Things are going well for these three, until they are attacked by a mysterious masked woman, known as Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen). Now Scott, Hope and Hank will have to fight Ghost, in order to stop her and be able to save Hope's Mom, Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer). While this movie's relatively simplistic plotline might not be enough to intrigue viewers, some audience members will be entertained by Ant-Man and the Wasp's decent character performances. Most audiences will agree the funniest performance in this movie is Michael Pena's performance as Scott's friend Luis. Aside from this and this movie's occasionally silly antics, such as someone throwing a giant PEZ dispenser or someone shrinking a car and then driving around San Fran Cisco in it as if they were in a toy car, this movie's plotline and performances offer little amounts of fun and minimal amounts of excitement. Also, this movie's poor pacing and choppy editing does not help.
           Beyond Ant-Man and the Wasp's lack of fun, this movie also lacks a sense of value. Audience members may find there is little take away from this movie. Ant-Man and the Wasp does not feature an overt message or moral to its story. A possible moral might be that people need to work together rather than go it alone, but there is little to no conflict between characters with similar goals. Scott and Hope's partnership is at no point in jeopardy and their relationship with each other is relatively unchanged by the end of the movie. Another message might be that families should stick together no matter what, but Scott is forced to abandon his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Forston), in order to help the Van Dyne's save one of their family members. There might be a message or reason for pure enjoyment to come from this movie's experience, but it is not directly stated or made known. This movie's lack of depth and value greatly detracts from this cinematic experience's enjoyment.
           Not only is Ant-Man and the Wasp not necessarily fun or enjoyable, this movie also does not illustrate virtuous or heroic characters. While it is clear this movie's title characters are super, they have powers (the ability to grow and shrink), these characters are not entirely heroic. Their mission to save Hope's mom is a self guided and somewhat selfish mission, as this mission will primarily only benefit the three main characters. If Janet is saved, then Hank and Hope will be happier than usual, but in order to save Janet, Scott and Hope destroy property, engage in physical combat with people they did not necessarily have to fight and alienate themselves from former close friends and allies. While watching this movie (and future entries in the MCU) audience members should ask themselves, "Who are these heroes fighting for?", and if the answer is "for themselves," then they are probably not heroes. Even anti heroes, who fight outside of the law and use darker tactics than most heroes, at least fight for a greater good with a mindset founded on self sacrifice. If future heroes in the MCU fight only for themselves and do not promote a greater good, how long will it be before this super hero franchise runs out of heroes?

Verdict: Ant-Man and the Wasp is a slightly entertaining movie, but its lack of genuine fun, valuable enjoyment and heroic characters makes it an experience not worth seeing in theatres.