ANT-MAN AND THE WASP
Director Peyton Reed
Cert. 12A. 118 mins
This sequel to Marvel’s surprisingly entertaining film Ant-Man recaptures the same sense of silliness amidst the awkward, imperfect situations of life, while still caring about its colourful characters and moving their stories forward.
Scott Lang/Ant-Man (the naturally funny, likeable Paul Rudd) reluctantly re-teams with Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Hope Van Dyne, now suited up as The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), to help them rescue Hank’s wife and Hope’s mother, Janet Van Dyne, who is stuck in the Quantum Realm.
In the face of all odds, they embark on an epic (big and small) rescue mission, calling to mind some parallels with the parable of the lost sheep (c.f. Luke 15). The film is a quirky, energetic underdog story, about literally tiny heroes. There’s even a character who used to go by the name of Goliath.
Complicated, flawed characters
However, rather than being a simple good-versus-evil, underdog tale, this one is more about complicated, flawed characters who don’t always know the answers but try to do the right thing, learn to overcome their grudges against one another and empathise with each others’ pain.
The main villain, Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), may be driven by pain and willing to hurt others as a result, but the film portrays her in an empathetic way, rooting for her to find healing and redemption. This illustrates Jesus’ exhortation to love our enemies (c.f. Matthew 5.43-48).
The action sequences utilise a great deal of imagination, as normal things are transformed into bigger or smaller versions of themselves, turning around seemingly hopeless situations in a gleeful way.
It serves as a fun reminder that in the gospel we have Jesus’ resurrection power on our side. By prayer, the Creator God of the universe, who sees both big and small, can move the mountains, redeeming and restoring brokenness in a creative and dynamic way (c.f. Matthew 17.20, Mark 4.30-32).
There are two end-credits scenes.
