Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania review: A Marvel movie with real stakes

We have the first movie of Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. Does the film kick off the latest Phase the right way? Or does it fall short of expectations? I share my review and let you know if it is worth checking out in theaters.

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania follows Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne, who with Hope’s parents, are exploring the Quantum Realm. As they interact with new creatures and head on a new adventure that will push them beyond their limits. The movie stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Jonathan Majors.

The movie begins with life going really good for Scott Lang. He has a brand new book, everyone recognizes him as he walks down the street, and he’s reached the point in life where he is playing it overly safe. One day, he gets a call, and his daughter Cassie has been arrested at a protest. While bringing her home, Scott, Cassie, Hope, Janet and Hank are downstairs taking a look at something that Cassie had created. One thing leads to another, and the gadget gets them all sent to the Quantum Realm.

Down in the Quantum Realm, it’s revealed that Janet had been keeping quite a secret from everyone, including a story centered around Kang the Conqueror. When we get introduced to the story of Kang, it’s hands down one of the best-written introductions in the MCU. It was brilliantly constructed to share who this force is, plus what the stakes are going to be for the film.

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is a perfect start to Phase 5 of the MCU

Speaking of stakes, it was the first time in a long time within the MCU that I felt like there were real stakes in the movie that made me care about everything that could potentially happen. That said, it was mainly because of the earth-shattering performance of Jonathan Majors as Kang. You had one of the more subtle villain performances we’ve ever seen, but it was because a soft-spoken Kang is terrifying. The way Majors delivered his lines was subtle but had so much weight behind them that it made you realize he’s a force to be reckoned with.

I walked into this movie scared because I hated the trailer, but I walked out excited for what is in store for Phase 5. You never lose sight of the film being an Ant-Man style of story where we get that famous Paul Rudd humor, but it very much took itself seriously to provide an emotional weight that has been lacking. Technically it was incredible, and the movie shut down any doubts I had about it visually from the trailer.

Overall, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is the perfect way to start Phase 5. Lights-out performances from Jonathan Majors, Paul Rudd, Michelle Pfeiffer and scene-stealer Kathyrn Newton blended with one of the best Marvel scripts we’ve seen in a while. I loved it and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania hits theaters on Feb. 17, 2023.