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Sometimes small things make a big impact, and in the case ofAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, that impactisn’ta positive one. The MCU launches into a brand new phase, and they clearly have large and ambitious plans. However, as they attempt to steady the ship and weather the storm postInfinity Saga, they’ve proven to be a hit and miss venture. IfQuantumaniais any indication of what’s to come, we’re in for a long and arduous journey that goes even heavier on CGI, and much,muchlighter on character and story.
I’m astaunchAnt-Man defender, standing firmly behind both prior films in the trilogy and appreciating Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) as a highlight of the Avengers ensembles. His pivotal role in defeating Thanos and saving half of all life in the universe likely boosted his reputation with audiences, but still, I consider myself one of the biggest fans of this iteration of the character. Which makesQuantumaniaall the more disappointing.
Let’s start by saying there are a lot of talented people here doing a lot of solid work. Paul Rudd is a gift. His charisma and charm can elevate even the most mediocre of writing, and his comedic performance — both physically and vocally — are a shining light in a dark splotch on the MCU’s record. Kathryn Newton (Freaky) is a fantastic addition as Scott’s daughter Cassie. The constant recasting of the character is a bit jarring, but if this is where it lands and sticks, I’m happy with it. And then there’s Jonathan Majors as Kang, this saga’s answer to Thanos. He’s a powerhouse performer with a dominating presence; however, I have a feeling his part inCreed IIIis the role he’ll be remembered for when looking back on 2023.
Also Read:NewAnt-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaTrailer Hints Scott Lang’s Impending Death
Ant-Man and the Wasp:Quantumaniatakes aninterestingapproach to telling its story, although there really isn’t much of a story to tell. There is no set up. No time dedicated to establishing a baseline or spending more than a moment with these characters in their real lives before thrusting them into the computer generated world of the Quantum Realm. This is where we spend nearly all of our time, and it’s not a visually pleasant experience, feeling more reminiscent of aSharkboy and Lava GirlorSpy Kidssetting than the MCU.
It’s a questionable choice by Marvel to dedicate an entire film to a world of CGI as fans are vocally calling for a return to form with more character and plot driven stories likeCaptain America: The Winter Soldier.Marvel’s over use of CGI has been a critique for years; however, it’s the use ofpoorlyexecuted CGI that has really made fans stand up and take notice recently, with the floating head fromThor: Love and Thunderand the third eye fromDoctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madnesspost credit sequence being the worst offenses. I’m here to tell you now, a specific character inQuantumaniawill make those moments look like digital mastery by comparison. That’s all I’ll say so as not to spoil anything, but you’ll know it when you see it, I guarantee it.
The film has its laughs. Many of the jokes land and many don’t, but I’ll admit that my theater was filled with a consistent chuckle and occasional belting laughter throughout.Quantumaniadoes balance its action and humor far better thanLove and Thunder,which hurled a barrage of non-stop juvenile humor at the screen and hoped some of it stuck. This is largely (or entirely) thanks to Rudd’s natural comedic chops and knack for perfect quip delivery, a trait that Robert Downey Jr. perfected, but Rudd comes close. Perhaps the film’s biggest fault is its lack of Michael Peña as Luis, Scott’s fast talking sidekick and fan favorite character.
Paul Rudd is a gift, Kathryn Newton is a strong addition and Jonathan Majors is rock solid.
Unfortunately, beyond this trio,#AntManAndTheWas#Quantumaniahas little going for it. Weak story, poor character development and atrocious dialogue. Lord help us for Phase 5.pic.twitter.com/OI8zhRYBWz
— Joshua Ryan (@MrMovieGuy86)July 31, 2025
Ant-Man and the Wasp:Quantumaniacertainly can’t be accused of being the same ole’ Marvel movie; it truly is incredibly different from any other entry in the shared universe. While I wouldloveto mean that as a compliment, different isn’t always better, andQuantumaniatakes a skosh over two hours to prove that. It’s a bit of a jumbled Quantum-Mess that feels partStar Warsand partRick and Morty, but always as much weaker versions. Homage can be a beautiful thing when utilized properly, and it can be a travesty when the homage becomes the film’s entire identity and it has nothing new to say. Will I be tuning in for the next entry in the MCU? Of course! I’m in too deep at this point, and despite his bumbled cinematic debut, I’m genuinely curious to see the evolution of Major’s Kang and how he stacks up against Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
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Joshua Ryan
Lead Film & TV Critics Editor
Articles Published :322
Born and raised in Central Florida, Joshua Ryan has harbored a love for cinema since the earliest years of his childhood. Through endless hours of watching Turner Classic Movies, especially the works of Alfred Hitchcock, his passion for film and film criticism grew. As an adult, he channeled that passion into a career as the editor and lead critic of FandomWire’s film and television department.
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Ant-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaantmanAntman and the WaspMarvelMCUThe Avengers
