The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a series of live-action films based on characters from Marvel Comics published by Marvel Entertainment. Ten years after the release of the first film in the series, Iron Man, in 2008, the 20th film in the series, Ant-Man and the Wasp, was released. Released alongside the MCU’s climactic events, “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) and “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), this film garnered significant support as a work that did not disappoint fans’ expectations.
For the first time in MCU history, a female superhero is featured in the title
While “Captain Marvel” would be released soon after, the first 19 MCU films only had male heroes in their titles, leading to criticism about gender representation. “Ant-Man and the Wasp” addresses this by making Wasp a title character, after a 10-year wait and 20 MCU films.
While “Wasp” has appeared in the “Ant-Man” series since the first film, Hope van Dyne will take on the role of Wasp in this film. The Wasp character has been a member of the Avengers in comics and animations, so she is a hero with a certain level of recognition. It feels fitting that she has become the first female to play a title role in the MCU.
In addition, this film can be considered a step forward in the portrayal of female characters, which had been neglected in previous MCU films. For example, it tells the story of a mother and daughter, a theme that has rarely been explored in the MCU. Additionally, the villain Ghost, originally a male character, has been reimagined as a female character.
Ghost from the original comic
The Evolved Ant-Man’s Heroic Deeds
In the movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” you can enjoy not only the Wasp but also the heroic deeds of Ant-Man, who has grown as a hero. In the previous film, the focus was on how Ant-Man, an ordinary person, transformed into a hero capable of fighting enemies by mastering the Ant-Man suit and other gadgets. Following that, in the film ‘Captain America: Civil War,’ Scott’s performance as he learns to fully utilize his powers as Ant-Man after experiencing a superhero team battle is highly entertaining.
The action scenes with Wasp flying around are really exciting and add a lot to the movie. The gadgets are a big highlight too, such as the portable quantum lab, which resembles a suitcase, and the quantum tunnel. These touches bring out the series’ fun mix of humor and action. Plus, the quantum research isn’t just important here—it matters for the whole MCU, which makes this movie stand out.
The humor and pacing of the characters
What I love most about ‘Ant-Man & The Wasp’ is how it balances humor, action, and pacing. Besides the leads, the supporting cast really stands out. Jimmy Woo, the FBI agent, and Scott’s best friend, Luis, are especially funny and always get laughs. Fans love them so much that people want to see them pop up in other MCU movies, too. Both are a little clumsy but also kind and dependable. Jimmy’s obsession with magic and Luis’s fast-talking stories help keep the movie’s pace lively.
Another essential element of humor in the Ant-Man series is the scene where a real-life cute character is enlarged. In the first film, the enlarged Thomas the Tank Engine garnered significant attention, but in this film, the well-known Japanese character Hello Kitty appears in an enlarged form. This doesn’t disrupt the flow of the film; rather, it enhances the pacing, and that perfect balance likely resonated with fans.
Summary: A delightful work of humor and action woven together by two main characters, a male and female duo.
The main takeaways from “Ant-Man and the Wasp” are its effective blend of humor and action, the historic inclusion of a female co-lead in the MCU title, and the strong positive impact of its supporting characters. The film stands out as an enjoyable example of the buddy-hero dynamic within the Marvel canon.
“Ant-Man & The Wasp” introduces the first female hero in an MCU title, marking progress for female character representation. The film’s strength lies in its entertaining mix of action and humor, with standout performances from both leads and supporting characters. Ultimately, its fast pacing and notable role within the MCU make it a key film for fans.
