Antman and the Wasp & Captain Marvel
It’s been quite a long time since I was able to sit down and discuss the MCU at large, and with me not writing during the release of multiple landmark films for Marvel, I wanted to spend a little bit of time going back through my brain and talk about each of the films released by Marvel and Disney since Infinity War. This means I’ll be talking about: Antman and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, and Spider-Man: Far From Home. Originally this article was going to be one part, but after realizing I had alot I wanted to say, I decided to split it into two parts to give them all the respect they deserve. Let’s get started with the first film to release after Infinity War: Antman and the Wasp!
Antman and the Wasp
Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang has been frequently used as comedic relief throughout all of his film appearances up to this point, and it’s no huge change in this film. We find ourselves with Scott, about to be released from house arrest after the events of Captain America: Civil War. Everything seems great, but just as he’s settling into a nice warm bath with a plastic bag over his ankle monitor, he is entranced into the Quantum Realm and believes he hears the voice of Janet Van Dyne, Hope’s mother and Hank’s wife.
It’s an interesting premise to essentially “bring the band back together” resulting in a fast-paced story that while feeling slightly similar to the original, promises a lot of fun moments and a villain that while still very one-note, manages to have some great action moments and a somewhat sympathetic arc. Evangeline Lily and Paul Rudd continue to be the best pairing in the MCU, and with this being the first movie to be lead by a woman, Lily absolutely takes the ball and runs with it.
Antman and the Wasp isn’t my favorite film in the MCU, but it continues to show something that I’ve noticed as the MCU has developed: even Marvel’s most middle of the road films feel like they’ve upped their game and this is most definitely one of them. While the majority of the story doesn’t really play into the overarching narrative of the universe, it’s what happens in the post-credit scene that truly sets the stage for what’s to come, and makes this movie a must-see adventure.
Captain Marvel
Being a movie that many would consider being the prelude to Avengers: Endgame, Captain Marvel arguably had a lot of weight on its shoulders in that many had unrealistic expectations of how great it could. Being an origin story this late into the Infinity Saga, this film was bound to disappoint quite a few fans. For myself, I didn’t go into the movie with high expectations, so I came out enjoying the film for what it was, but not overly praising of the film as a whole.
Anchored by three excellent performances, Captain Marvel is a film that succeeds in its action setpieces and relationships between its characters. Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers is played with a believe-able cockiness and belief that she can achieve heights higher than her compatriots. One of these is Yon-Rogg, played excellently by Jude Law. Trying to train Carol to be better and avoid the unnecessary use of her powers, he’s an interesting mentor character; and plays well opposite of Larson. But, the best part of this film lies in that of Samuel L. Jackson’s de-aged Nick Fury. When Carol crash lands on Earth after escaping from the Skrulls, she meets Fury and their relationship is what carries the movie as a whole.
Unfortunately, Captain Marvel as a whole doesn’t manage to become a situation of “greater than the sum of its parts.” The Skrull are an excellent addition to the MCU, and their place in this story makes sense and helps to turn comic readers precognition on their head. But, even with great character moments, gorgeous set pieces, and a rather interesting premise, the story falls flat as it’s rather generic and easy to predict. There are moments of greatness within Captain Marvel, and it’s definitely a film that needs to be seen, but it’s nothing special for the MCU at a time where everything is put out is raising the bar.
