Marvel officially kicked off phase 5 with the release of Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantimanium on February 17th in complete Scott Lang style. *Warning* Spoilers Ahead!
The movie opens soft and sweet like a light rom-com it is relegated he is reading from his book and then we find out what happened after Avengers Endgame ends.
The movie is centered around what Scott Lang has always centered around: family especially his daughter Cassie. Cassie is now grown, and while we don’t get a specific age she looks to be around college age. She like her step-mother, Hope, and step-grandparents are into STEM.
There are no extravagant parties or military tributes more like thanks, or free coffees from someone who thinks he’s Spider-man all of which he profusely thanks people and is grateful for each and every wave. But when the action starts it goes full force and it shows his heart every time. I like how the action flows in and out of the storyline fairly organically and is builds while keeping with the central theme of family, keeping Cassie safe and the two groups trying to find each other.
Cassie had spent her time figuring out how to study the quantum realm without going there. Unfortunately, Cassie, Scott, Hope, Hank, and Janet all end up in the Quantum realm shattering everything Hank, Hope Scott, and Cassie thought they knew. Janet had spent 30 years there but didn’t want to talk about it.
We see two different versions of the Quantum realm the outskirts and the city. Cassie and Scott end up on the outskirts while Hope, Hank, and Janet are together.
Janet being familiar with the Quantum realm quickly reunites with some long lost “friends” one she knew she immediately came to mind as one who she knew she could call (and that’s the only hint of the cameo that you’re getting from me). They end up in a bar that is reminiscent of the bar in Star Wars where Hope and Hank drink some goo from a shot glass that allows them to understand all the languages.
Cassie and Scott’s interaction with outsiders called the Freedom Fighters isn’t exactly as calming but they get the go as well just in a more tribal manner.
It is quickly revealed that the Quantum realm isn’t the place Janet left. You could say her dream was busted (Ok so I lied-that the 2nd and last clue at who the guest star is.)
But both groups learn that one man is looking for all of them: Kang the Conqueror who is played by Johnathan Majors. We were first introduced to Jonathan Majors as Kang when he guest starred in Loki season one which you can stream now on Disney+. We also got a sneak peek at some of his powers with Marvel’s What-if- a series depicting different multiverses.
Like any recent Marvel movie, it is good vs. evil but who plays what role evolves through the movie and the leads discover things about themselves along the way. It did have fewer fight scenes than I was anticipating but Ant-man movies have always been more family oriented/friendly than other Avenger Solo movies. My favorite scene has to be one of the last scenes in the movie as Scott is pondering a question about the future. Scott Lang is the true definition of zen and being in the moment.
As I mentioned this movie is uniquely Ant-man. It keeps a light air about it while maintaining the storyline and keeping within the Marvel storyline. While it does leave some questions like if Cassie is a bonafide superhero with a name to go with her suit or not.
But they sufficiently set up Kang to be the villains in phase five with the issue being the multiverse.
However, just like any other Marvel movie, we are sure to find out the answers in time.
Check out Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania in theaters now!
P.S. Make sure you stay until the end of the credits as there is a sneak peek of Loki season two featuring Kang or rather a Kang.