REVIEW: Ant-Man and the Wasp is yet another Marvel sequel that improves on the original

REVIEW: Ant-Man and the Wasp is a far more cohesive, exciting and entertaining commodity than its predecessor. All it took was one minor plot twist to take things to the next level.

THE Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been the dominant force at the global box-office for a decade now.

And yet, one factor crucial to that ongoing spectacular success goes relatively unremarked upon: a typical Marvel superhero franchise continues to improve across time.

Particularly when making that all-important leap from the getting-to-know-you of episode one to the getting-down-to-business of episode two.

That traditional MCU uptrending certainly works in favour of Ant-Man and the Wasp, a far more cohesive, exciting and entertaining commodity than its predecessor.

MORE LEIGH PAATSCH REVIEWS

Ant-Man and the Wasp. Picture: Film Frame ©Marvel Studios 2018

While the first Ant-Man was likeable enough, it was also a little too light-on for must-see moments to lodge itself in the memory for too long.

That flaw has been fixed in Ant-Man and the Wasp, which boasts plenty of awesome set-piece action sequences designed with real imagination, along with jokes and japes executed with an infectious, freewheeling flair.

All it took was one minor plot twist to take things to the next level.

Ant-Man and the Wasp is a far more cohesive, exciting and entertaining commodity than its predecessor. Picture: Film Frame ©Marvel Studios 2018

Ant-Man and The Wasp boasts plenty of awesome set-piece action sequences. Picture: Film Frame ©Marvel Studios 2018

Ant-Man (another winning effort from the underrated Paul Rudd) is now saddled with a malfunctioning prototype suit, allowing the franchise’s trademarked mayhem of sudden shrinking and supersizing to scale (and with Ant-Man, it is all about scale) to surreal new heights.

Just check out the brilliant scene where a 10-metre-high Ant-Man must use a tow truck as a foot scooter to get about the city. You don’t see ideas this weird and amusing in a mainstream movie every day, that’s for sure.

The plot of Ant-Man and the Wasp is not exactly heavy going compared to usual Marvel fare, it must be said. Hence the PG rating, which lets younger MCU devotees walk freely through the door for a change.

The plot of Ant-Man and the Wasp is not exactly heavy going compared to usual Marvel fare Picture: Film Frame ©Marvel Studios 2018

The underrated Paul Rudd has put in another winning effort as Ant-Man. Picture: Film Frame ©Marvel Studios 2018

The story opens with Ant-Man’s alter ego Scott Lang under house arrest for misdemeanours committed during Captain America: Civil War.

However, just days short of freedom, our hero is busted loose to help inventor Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly) rescue long-lost wife and mother Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer) from the dreaded Quantum Realm.

As flagged by the title, part of Ant-Man’s journey before completing this high-risk mission will be to join forces with The Wasp, another micro-insect crime-fighter who just happens to be Hope herself. (Not surprisingly, Lilly far outshines Rudd on a pure physical combat-movement level.)

There will be a small array of villains coming and going (of which newcomer Hannah John-Kamen is a standout as the angst-ridden shape-shifter Ghost), a few shout-outs to other points in the MCU, and plenty of throwaway laughs throughout.

All in all, Ant-Man and the Wasp amounts to a tidy, tight and consistently entertaining package. Unwrap without any reservations and simply enjoy.

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP (PG)

After starting out small, he’s the next big sting

Rating: Three and a half stars (3.5 out of 5)

Director: Peyton Reed (Ant-Man)

Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michael Pena, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hannah John-Kamen.