Review by Claire Hoenecke

Ant-Man and the Wasp is a light-hearted romp into the Marvel Cinematic Universe that won’t have a lasting impact on the canon but is still a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

The sequel begins with Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang finishing his house arrest sentence after the events of Captain America: Civil War. Soon, Evangeline Lilly’s Hope Van Dyke and Michael Douglas’s Hank Pym call on Lang to help them find Hope’s mother who has been lost in the Quantum Realm since Hope’s childhood. Their mission quickly escalates when Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost attempts to intercept their journey into the Quantum Realm in order to cure her unique condition.

The film does not take itself seriously. It is silly and fun and reminds audiences of the charm that first drew them to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, this light tone comes at the cost of Ghost’s characterization. Ghost is a complex villain who is arguably more sympathetic than Black Panther’s Killmonger. However, the writers neglect to fully explore her painful backstory and understandable motives. The result is a film that is fun but lacking in substance.

Ant-Man and the Wasp’s talented cast gives the film its playful energy. Paul Rudd embraces Scott Lang’s child-like nature and balances it with the struggles he faces as a single father. Evangeline Lilly is driven and passionate but still participates in the film’s humor. For all the film’s comedic talent, Michael Peña ultimately steals the show with his hilarious performance as Lang’s friend and business partner Luis.

In the end, Ant-Man and the Wasp is a wonderfully mediocre film whose villain will leave audiences wanting more but whose jokes will more than satisfy.

Rating: 6/10

Ant-Man and the Wasp is rated PG-13 for come sci-fi action violence.