Ant-Man and the Wasp Get Two Antennas Up

Of the two Avengers who weren't present during Infinity War were Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton aka Hawyeye and Paul Rudd's Scott Lang aka Ant-Man. We last saw them aiding Captain America against Iron Man in Civil War which resulted in their capture; being the only members who have families both were placed under house arrest. While Hawkeye's whereabouts remain unknown, Scott's sentence is just about over, only to be drafted yet again by Dr. Hank Pym (Micheal Douglas) on a rescue mission in Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Micheal Douglas as Dr Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man

Ever since Scott's unexpected trip into the Quantum Realm in the last film, Dr. Pym is convinced that his wife Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer), the original Wasp may still be alive. This lead's to Scott Lang once again donning the Ant-Man suit only this time, Pym's daughter Hope (Evangeline Lily) joins in as the new Wasp. Like Lang, she can can shrink and muster feats of super strength at a small size but where her partner can call out an army of ants and enlarge to the size of a house, Hope can fire stinging projectiles that carry shrinking and enlarging features and the suit comes with its own set of wings.

Evangeline Lily & Paul Rudd as Ant-Man and the Wasp

The plan is easier said then done as they are constantly pursued by almost everyone they meet.  A mysterious mercenary called Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) who is equipped with some sort of phantom-phasing power, a gang of arms-dealers lead by Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) who are out to steal Pym's machines for the black market, and the FBI lead by Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) who is suspicious of Lang violating his parole.

Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost

Peyton Reed, who directed the previous Ant-Man movie once again does a splendid job in making a funny and action-packed superhero comedy. With every superhero movie it always results in some sort of apocalyptic disaster or some other dark scenario, but Reed's Ant-Man movies prove that even on a smaller-scale (no pun intended) you can still have a superhero movie that is both fun and great.

A sweet moment between father and daughter.

Like any good sequel the story, action and characters are further elevated. It's a story about redemption, an attempt to make amends, finding a solution where no one gets hurt, protecting and reuniting families. Following his actions in Civil War, Scott wonders even with the suit if he's making life better or worse for himself and the people he loves. The scenes with his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson) continues to have heart as he strives to be a both a better man and loving dad. Hank and Hope's mission of finding Janet is a tearful journey that is elaborated via flashbacks; even Ghost isn't who she appears,being the third sympathetic Marvel villain this year.

Gi-ant Man

The action is enormous and minuscule with buildings, Hot Wheels and Hello Kitty PEZ Dispensers either shrinking and growing. The mysterious Quantum Realm is further explored as we go beyond microscopic size of a cell and dust particle. What a fantastic voyage it is with the creative visual colors of Dr. Strange and 2001: A Space Odyssey.  

Ant-Man (above) isn't the only one to explore the Quantum Realm.
Doctor Strange (below) got a glimpse in his initiation to the mystic arts.   

Comedy reigns supreme as the Ant-Man movies continue to be the funniest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Everyone gets a quick zinger but Michael Peña still nails it again as Miguel who isn't just a walking punchline along with his team of ex-cons T.I. and David Dastmalchian reprising their roles of Kurt and Dave. They add what Incredibles 2 lacked of having ordinary people with no super powers helping to save the day. Bobby Cannavale and Judy Greer are among the returning cast-members as Scott's ex-wife and her new husband who are more supportive and understanding given his situation. Laurence Fishburne switches from DC to Marvel as Ben Foster, an old collage of Hank Pym who parted ways rather sourly, is now asked for his help.

Left of Micheal Peña: Judy Greer, Bobby Cannavale (top), David Dastmalchian and T.I. (bottom) 
Right of Micheal Peña: Laurence Fishburne (top) Benjamin Byron Davis and Randall Park (bottom)

Ant-Man and the Wasp is the summer's best blockbuster that give's audiences a break after Infinity War. Plenty of laughs and super-powered clashes that in a word: is simply brilli-ant 

Final Verdict: (A-)

Theatrical Poster