Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Peyton Reed, Marvel Studios, PG 118 Minutes.
Peyton Reid’s directorial success with ‘Ant-Man’ in 2015 has him returning with Paul Rudd as the pint-sized superhero in an exciting sequel only to find himself under house arrest following a serious criminal incident while working with Captain America.
In this entertaining instalment Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Rudd) is endeavouring to spend time with his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson- TV’s ‘Togetherness’) when he is suddenly hijacked by Hope (Evangeline Lilly), daughter of Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Ant-Man’s creator.
This time Hank, including Hope, are seeking Scott’s support to re-enter the Quantum Realm which Pym as the original Ant-Man and his wife Janet/Wasp (Michelle Pfieffer –‘Mother’) entered 30 years earlier on a deadly mission which resulted in her non-return.
At his lab ,Hank has constructed a huge tunnel to the Quantum Realm in order to rescue Janet but is hampered by the dubious black market tech dealer Sonny Burch (Walter Goggins-‘Diablo’) and the mysterious Ava/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen –‘Tomb Raider’).
The greatest threat is from Ghost who, having acquired some super powers, now needs Pym’s lab (including access to the Realm) to restore her molecular structure which became destabilised following an explosion in her father’s tunnel as a child.
With time running out it requires both Scott and Lilly in their shrunken super suits to subdue the Ghost’s superior actions to enable Ant-Man to finally enter the Quantum Realm and rescue Hank’s missing wife Janet.
Reid has made a thoroughly enjoyable sequel incorporating a family friendly storyline filled with action and comedy not to mention some stunning visual effects that includes the supersizing of Ant-Man together with some playful ants.
Apart from the comedic performance of Rudd’s partner in crime Luis (Michael Pena), who manages his security company, there is the pure chemistry between Rudd and Lilly in carrying out their superhero roles with such flare.
Unfortunately the unresolved answers in the conclusion require Reid to return for the third enthralling instalment of ‘The Ant-Man and the Wasp’ where there is no doubt that the inclusion of Ant-Man and the Wasp in the collage of superheroes has greatly enriched Marvel’s Cinematic Universe.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
