Film buffs review latest marvel

MARVEL Studios’ latest blockbuster, AntMan and The Wasp: Quantumania has graced theatres. Our resident film buffs Tom Parry and Stefan Bradley went to check it out.

TP: Thisisthe 31st entryinthe Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and the third chapter of the AntMan franchise. Iwas slightlynervous headinginto this instalment, because it did received mediocre reviews in the lead-up to its release, but thankfully Ifound myself enjoying it. What do you makeof the film,Stefan?

SB: Ilikeditaswell.I’veseen reactions suggesting that this is one of the worst MCU movies to date, but in my opinion there’s no way Quantumania is worse than the likes of Eternals, Iron Man 2 or Thor: The Dark World.Tobeclear, Idon’t think any of those movies are bad, but they ain’t that great either. I’d say Quantumania is on par with the previous Ant-Man films, or maybe slightly worse.It’s mid-tier -hardly aground-breaking blockbuster, but Ihad fun with it!

TP: The plot sees our hero, Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) sucked into asubatomic world known as the Quantum Realm, alongsidehis teenage daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton), his girlfriend Hope/The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) and her parents, Hank (Michael Douglas) and Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer). The group become separated, and must use all their wits to find their way home.

SB: Trouble is, there’s somebody that stands in their way: Kang the Conqueror(Jonathan Majors), the autocratic leader and all-powerful being who rules over the Quantum Realm. Kang is an amazing villain, and superbly portrayed by Majors.

TP: Majors is incredible-wesee so manyshades and nuancesinhis performance, being eccentric and menacing in equal measure.

SB: And he’s not the typical quirky, quip-filled Marvel villaineither -heplaysitall with astraight face.

TP: Idon’t think it’s aspoiler to say that Quantumania is setting Kanguptobethe next ‘Big Bad’ of the Avengers movies, so this film provides the perfect teaser as to what he’s capable of, and what Ant-Man and hisfellow heroescan expect to face in the upcoming films. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing more of him.

SB: Likewise. On another matter, it was surprising to see Michelle Pfeiffer’s character have such an active role in the story, especially in comparison to EvangelineLilly and Michael Douglas, who do very little when comparedtotheir previous appearances. Ithink The Wasp may need her own moviebecauseinthis sequel, it seems like she has no room to grow as acharacter. The main criticism Ihave is the familydynamic of the protagonists never feelsunder threat, and their relationships never tested.

TP: Iwould argue Quantumania is almost Michelle Pfeiffer’s movie, which Ireally appreciated; the family dynamic stuff never interested me. Less impressive for me was the visual effects -there’s plenty of ethereal, otherworldly designs throughout the Quantum Realm which look cool, but other times the backgroundsand environments look cheap and unpolished. Did you have the same problem?

SB: Not really. Overall, Ithought the visual effects were quite impressive, and they look even better if you see the film in 3D, as we both did. I loved the alien sci-fi creatures encountered in this world-the weirdertheylooked, the better!

TP: Iwasn’ttoo keen on the 3D, though -as with The Way of Water,Idon’t feel it made the experience any more or less enjoyable,and at timesIcouldn’t eventell if the 3D effects were being utilised. Another aspect Ididn’t appreciateis how disconnected Quantumania is from the other two Ant-Man movies, seeming closer in tone to a Guardians of the Galaxy or a Doctor Strange film. It’s also adarker and more violent picture than its predecessors -where the last two were rated PG, this one is rated M.

SB: Theshift in tone didn’t bother me.The main cast do agreat job, especially Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man -he’s just as funny as ever, although there’s less humour in this film overall. In summary, while Quantumania isn’t the strongest entry in the MCU, it is worth seeing.

TP: Quantumania is aflawed movie, especially in the visual department,but it is an enjoyable one. If you’veenjoyed the Marvel movies up until now, you’lllikethis onejustasmuch; if you’re jumping onboard just now, you probably won’t find much appeal in it.Asyou say though, Stefan,it’sall about the villain, and Kang is asuperb one!

Ant-Manand The Wasp: Quantumania is rated Mfor violence, and is currently screeningatSaleCinema.