by Charles Kirkland Jr.
Finally, the story of where Ant-Man was during the Infinity War is revealed in the sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp.
After the events of Captain America: Civil War, Scott Lang, the Ant-Man, (Paul Ruud) has been placed on house arrest for three long years. In the last few days of his electronically enforced home incarceration, Scott has a weird dream about his time in the Quantum Realm and a game of hide-and-seek. Against the conditions of his deal with the FBI, Scott feels compelled to share the details of the dream and reaches out to Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) who is in hiding and furious with Scott over his reckless endeavors in Germany. Meanwhile buoyed by Scott’s return from the Quantum Realm, Pym and his daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly) have been hard at work trying to retrieve Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) from the realm by making a Quantum Tunnel. When Hank and Hope realize that Scott’s dreams contain a message from Janet, Hank is sucked back into the world of Ant-Man despite only having two days left in his three-year house arrest.
To complete their tunnel, Hank and Hope must acquire a component from super-shady businessman Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) but the “business” deal breaks down and Hope is forced to use the new Wasp costume to acquire the part. Unfortunately, a third party becomes involved in the Quantum Tunnel technology as the aptly-named new villain Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) takes the part for herself. Ghost has the ability to phase in and out of this reality, allowing her body to pass through items, objects and people. Now facing Ghost, Burch and the FBI, Scott must find a way to save Janet and stay out of jail for his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson).
Ant-Man and The Wasp return the whole gang from the first movie including David Dastmalchian as Kurt, Tip “T.I.” Harris as Dave, and Michael Pena as the super-lovable Luis. In a genius move by director Peyton Reed, Luis’ character is expanded into a genuine scene-stealer as he dominates the funny frequently during the movie. His rapid-fire, stream-of-consciousness delivery is a gem throughout the feature.
New additions to the franchise include the still lovely, Michelle Pfeiffer (Dangerous Liaisons, Dangerous Minds, Murder on the Orient Express) and Hannah John-Kamen in her third movie of the year (Ready Player One, Tomb Raider). John-Kamen brings her Game of Thrones intensity to her villainous role. She becomes the latest in the trend of Marvel complex and tortured antagonists that attempt to draw sympathy from the audience. Laurence Fishburne (Batman v. Superman: The Dawn of Justice, The Matrix, Black-ish) returns to the Marvel Universe as Dr. Bill Foster a scientist who worked with Hank Pym and once grew tall as the hero Goliath.
Director Reed reclaims the humor and superheroic antics from the first adventure but tops that adventure with more action and a more convoluted storyline. The film answers the question of where Ant-Man was during the Infinity War but only if you stay for the mid-credits scene. There is also a post-credit scene that cements the events of the War on the universe.
Disney saves the seriousness for The Avengers and Captain America and gives us Ant-Man as a palate cleanser of sorts to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). Rated PG-13 for some sci-fi action violence, Ant-Man and the Wasp is a rollicking ride of silliness that is entertaining and simple and meant to be nothing more.
Grade: B