Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is a superhero film based on Marvel Comics, featuring Scott Long/Ant-Man and Hope Pym/Wasp. It is the sequel to Ant-Man (2015) and Ant-Man And The Wasp (2018).
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is now an author and lives with his girlfriend, Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly). Lang’s daughter, Cassie (Kathryn Newton), is a social activist. She goes to meet Hope’s parents, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer). She reveals to them that she has been working on a device which can make contact with the Quantum Realm. Before a panicking Janet can do anything, the device is operational, resulting in a portal opening up and pulling the five of them into the Quantum Realm. Scott and Cassie are found by natives of the land, who are rebelling against their ruler. Hope, Janet and Hank elsewhere meet Lord Kryler (Bill Murray) who reveals that after Janet left them, he had been working for Kang (Jonathan Majors). Here, Scott and Cassie are informed by Jentorra (Katy O’Brian), the leader of the rebels, that Janet, who had previously been to the Quantum Realm, was indirectly responsible for Kang’s uprising and his ultimate takeover of the Quantum Realm. Kang’s robotic henchman, M.O.D.O.K., is revealed to be Darren Cross (Corey Stoll). Scott and Kang enter into a deal so that Kang can get what he wants while Scott can save Cassie. But when Kang reneges on the deal, the ants come into play. How the five defeat Kang and escape forms the climax.
Jeff Loveness has written an interesting story and a fast-paced screenplay, which keep the audience hooked on to the drama. There are several tension-ridden moments, which make the proceedings exciting. Having said that, it must be added that the screenplay is often predictable. Climax is quite good but it should’ve been more exciting.
Paul Rudd is endearing as Scott Lang/Ant-Man. He performs ably. Evangeline Lilly is good as Hope van Dyne/Wasp. Jonathan Majors leaves a wonderful mark as Kang. Kathryn Newton looks bewitching as Cassie. Michelle Pfeiffer provides fantastic support as Janet van Dyne. Michael Douglas is dashing as Hank Pym. Corey Stoll is effective as M.O.D.O.K./Darrenn Cross. David Dastmalchian lends good support as Veb. Katy O’Brian makes her mark in the role of Jentorra. William Jackson Harper makes his presence felt as Quaz. Bill Murray is alright as Lord Kryler. Randall Park (as FBI agent Jimmy Woo), Gregg Turkington (as Baskin-Robbins store manager Dale), Ruben Rabasa (as the coffee shop attendant) and the others lend decent support.
Peyton Reed’s direction is good. Christophe Beck’s background music complements the drama wonderfully. William Pope does a splendid job of the cinematography. Computer graphics are outstanding. Editing (by Adam Gerstel and Laura Jennings) is crisp. Dubbing is very good.
On the whole, Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania will do average business.
Released on 17-2-’23 at Maratha Mandir (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay by UTV Software Communications Ltd. Publicity: ordinary. Opening: average. …….Also released all over. Opening was ordinary. The original English version has also released simultaneously and it is expected to fare better than the dubbed Hindi version.