The third entry in the Ant-Man franchise, Quantumania is a visual feast that starts strong and features an imposing Jonathan Majors as Kang. However, the film peters out as it goes along.
Director Peyton Reed has done a commendable job connecting the heist-comedy hijinks while mining the drama out of the father-daughter relationships. Whether with Cassie and Scott Lang or Hope and Hank Pym, the heart of the series has always been the complicated family dynamic. Quantumania does succeed with Cassie and Scott.
Kathryn Newton is great as Cassie. Like her father, Cassie has a habit of getting into trouble while trying to help the world. Cassie’s dedication accidentally leads to her, Scott, Hope, Janet and Hank being sucked into the Quantum Realm. The dynamic between the two families is terrific. Unfortunately, once they reach the quantum realm, the group is separated and the magic of Quantumania’s opening is never recaptured.
Majors has the capability of being a great marvel villain. In fact, his scenes opposite Michelle Pfeiffer early in the film and his interrogation of Cassie and Scott are easily the best scenes. The 3rd act defangs this version of Kang quite a bit, but the 1st two acts are terrifying.
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The 3rd act as a whole is a mess. There’s a big battle. Unfortunately, the heroes are able to defeat Kang without much struggle. Scott even survives fighting Kang one-on-one, which would never happen against Thanos.
As an introduction to Majors as Kang, Quantumania works. As a capper to an Ant-man trilogy though, Quantumania is probably the weakest in the trilogy and a questionable start to phase five.
With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the start of phase 5 of the MCU. There may be some minor spoilers. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is in theaters now.
Father-daughter trapped in Quantumania
If Majors is the breakout star and he is, then Newton takes the runner-up spot as Cassie Lang. She has excellent chemistry with Paul Rudd.
After the events in Endgame, Scott is basking in the glow of fame. He’s an author trying to look out for Cassie, but failing miserably. Like Scott, Cassie’s heart is in the right place, but she’s been arrested a few times. Also, like her father had in the first Ant-Man, Cassie has an optimistic glow that really works well for the character.
Cassie immediately takes to the Quantum Realm and the plea of the oppressed people. Scott wants to leave so he can keep Cassie safe.
The father-daughter conflict works well in the 1st act but is resolved too quickly. Also, Cassie never pays for her mistake in opening up the portal. Her life is in peril, but she never suffers the consequences for violating an important rule in storytelling.
The Quantum Realm
Cassie and Hank are the most naturally curious about the Quantum Realm. Rudd always plays Lang as mostly baffled, so there’s no significant difference between Scott in the Quantum Realm and on earth. Hope is far more appalled at her mother keeping a secret and her parents having sex with other people during their decades apart. To say Hope is mostly useless until the 3rd act is an understatement.
Quantumania finally gives Pfeiffer as Janet Van Dyne time to shine. While Scott and Cassie are stranded together in one part of the Quantum Realm, Hope, Janet and Hank are together in another section. Janet is reluctant to return to the Quantum Realm due to her past with Kang, which she keeps from the gang until they teleport to Kang’s domain.
Pfeiffer is great as the tour guide through this strange world. She understands the languages, dangers and threats Kang poses. The Quantum Realm itself is a gorgeous acid trip into a pocket dimension. There are civilizations, odd creatures, bars, totalitarians and Bill Murray.
A conqueror unleashed
Majors is most imposing when he plays up Kang’s underhanded dealmaking. He uses this tactic on a few occasions in Quantumania. First, he meets Janet when they both are stranded in the Quantum Realm. Then, he convinces Scott to steal something in order to keep Cassie safe. This version of Kang is interesting because he’s not a man of his world. He only uses the truth long enough to get what he wants, then he reneges.
Easily the best acting scene in the film is between Pfeiffer and Majors when they meet. Majors is great at being charismatic while hiding something darker beneath the surface. Pfeiffer who is also terrific at bringing different layers to any given scene matches him.
There’s a big difference in the respect Kang shows Janet as opposed to Cassie and Scott. Janet’s a scientist so her skills are something he appreciates. Scott means nothing to him. He’s a tool, nothing more.
Unfortunately, all of the good work put into building up Kang in the first two acts comes undone in the final act. There’s a big battle sequence, which is cool to look at, but there are numerous plotholes. Hope finally shows up in the 3rd act, but her heroic moment is totally unearned.
Quantumania Final Thoughts
Phase 5 starts off on uneven footing with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The introduction of Kang, the visual aesthetics of the Quantum Realm, Janet Van Dyne’s moment in the spotlight and Newton’s performance as Cassie shine. Unfortunately, the 3rd act is a near disaster that nearly destroys the strong first two acts.
The Review
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
PROS
- Jonathan Majors is terrific as Kang.
- The father-daughter chemistry between Kathryn Newton and Paul Rudd is charming.
- Michelle Pfeiffer shines in the Quantum Realm.
- The Quantum Realm is visually stunning.
CONS
- Evangeline Lilly is wasted in the film.
- The 3rd act is a mess.
- MODOK
