Soo... I just watched the new Marvel Movie

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 and I have thoughts...

In the moment, I enjoyed the new Ant-Man and the Wasp Movie. It was visually engaging, hilarious and had some cool action scenes. I, particularly, enjoyed the call-back to Ant-Man's line in Civil War and how the film depicted Scott's growing competency as the Ant-Man. I loved the fact that Scotts' journey mirrored Janet's in the quantum realm; both of them chose to save the world at the cost of their families. Put simply, the movie was fun. An interesting juxtaposition to the grief reflected in Wakanda Forever (the last MCU movie of 2022 and Phase 4) that suggested Phase 5 would be different.

As a result, I entered the post-credit scenes feeling good about Phase 5 of the MCU and where it was going. I felt vindicated in my willingness to give Marvel the benefit of the doubt as they establish the next 'big-bad' and build the new team of Avengers. But as soon as I left the theatre, two things happened: (1) I began to engage with the movie and; (2) I read the critics' reviews. As a result, I began re-evaluating my relationship to and with the MCU.

In fact, it was reading the critics' reviews that inspired me to think about what I had watched and whether or not it made sense; as opposed to merely asking myself if I enjoyed the movie. And as I read the critics' reviews, I found my gut reaction to the movie being challenged and changed. I felt shamed for liking something intelligent and creative experts had deemed lacklustre and heartless. As if liking Ant-Man and the Wasp 3 made me a bad person. And I know this has more to do with me, and how I regard my own convictions than with the intention of the critics themselves. The critics merely pointed out the flaws in the movie. 

Upon reflection, they have a point. Ant-Man and the Wasp 3 has serious character issues. The characters are not fully developed. Scott's arc - his desire to spend more time with his daughter - is kind of just left hanging. Also, I'm not entirely sure if Janet has an arc in this story or if she merely exists as a guide into the Quantum Realm and a catalyst for the story. Conversely, some characters' serve no purpose until the very end of the story (specifically Hope and Hank, to the point where I feel this movie could have just been called "Ant-Man Quantumania"). But, in my mind, the biggest flaw with this movie is its villain. Kang the Conqueror.  We know that Kang is supposed to be terrifying, but I never felt fear. In fact, I never felt anything about this version of Kang at all; compared to the one in Loki. I feared Thanos. I enjoyed Ultron. I empathised with Killmonger. But Kang? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. 

In fact, the one time I truly felt anything about Kang was when, after Scott told him he was an Avenger, Kang replied "Have I killed you yet? It all blurs together." This line showed me what he was capable of; showed me what damage he could do and that there is nothing Scott could do to stop him. But it takes more than menacing dialogue delivered in soft tones, harrowing flashbacks of conquest and brief glimpses of power to make a villain scary. 

Personally, there are two kinds of villains that scare me. Two kinds that matter. The first, are the ones I can understand and empathise with. With this understanding comes accessibility and reliability that suggest that I could be a villain if given enough power and the opportunity. In Ant-Man and the Wasp, we don't understand Kang. The movie does a great job of introducing Kang as an omnipotent presence before we are introduced to Kang himself. Thereafter, the Kang we meet is kind, intelligent and considerate. Thus adding complexity to his character. You find yourself asking, how can a man capable of such destruction be so considerate? But soon after this, Kang devolves into a one-dimensional villain; an obstacle to the hero's journey and denied a journey of his own.  

This takes me to the second type of villain are those that contrast the hero and challenge who they are; not just their abilities. In this juxtaposition, they have something to say about the hero and who they could be. Great examples include Harry Potter (the loved child) and Voldermort (the child without love); Batman and the Joker, the Flash and Eobard Thawne, Sherlock and Moriarty. Within the MCU, think of Killmonger in Black Panther, who challenged T'Challa's very sense of being and everything he knew was right. In Killmonger, T'Challa had to confront the sins of his father and the impact of willful ignorance; manifested in Killmonger's anger and the needless suffering of black people around the world. Additionally, think of Obadiah Stane in Iron Man 1 who, despite being a one-dimensional villain, was both the anti-thesis and potential evolution of Tony Stark. In Iron Man 1, Stark isn't just trying to stop Stane; he's trying to change his future and legacy. What does Kang's existence have to say about Scott's Ant-Man or Hope's Wasp? Does Kang challenge who Ant-Man is or could be? No. No, he doesn't not. Not to me anyway.

Yet all the seeds for deep characterisation are there. Just not in the Ant-Man and the Wasp. It was in Loki, the TV show (Marvel really expects its' audience to do homework, huh?). 

This begs the question, what is the point of this movie? The Loki series already set up Kang and his motivations; far better than Ant-Man and the Wasp ever did. Perhaps Ant-Man and the Wasp was a chance to further Scott's story and character. Except, this didn't happen much either. Perhaps it was a chance to explore the Quantum Realm a bit further; but what did we really learn about it besides the fact that an entire world exists down there. Is this world another universe? Is the multiverse the bedrock of the multiverse, as a place outside of space and time? What was the point of the movie? Interconnectivity. 

For the MCU, I believe it was setting up Avengers: Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. The movie established Kang as the big bad of the franchise going forward. But as an independent movie, I don't know what purpose it serves other than that. I don't know if it tells its' own story, or if it can, without connecting to the wider cinematic universe. And this is the problem Marvel will have to deal with going forward. The necessity for interconnectivity might prevent future movies from being able to stand on their own. The Infinity Saga films were good at this for the most part. Yes, some films existed to merely set up other ones - Thor 2, Avengers 2, and Iron Man 2. While others did both - finding purpose within themselves and the wider universe; films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1, Avengers 1, and Black Panther. In my opinion, Ant-Man and the Wasp 3, does neither.

This is, partly, the fault of the film itself. But it's also the fault of Marvel studios. Marvel films used to matter because there was so little Marvel content. But frequent exposure due to the shows and the regularity of 3 to 4 films per year, made the films less special. Less significant. This oversaturated market is one in which Ant-Man and the Wasp has to, rather aptly, maintain a quantum existence. It must be distinct from what came before and maintain its own identity, while completely aligning with the MCU formula, brand and overall plot line. This is an incredibly difficult balancing act; one few films have been able to maintain. Take Wakanda Forever, for example. It manages to do both. Until the third act, where the MCU formula necessitates a final battle of epic proportions. At that point, the geopolitical questions and grief that drive the movie get shunned aside for a simpler conflict; kill or be killed. As dictated by the Marvel formula. This formula limits what directors can do with their films, and what the films can actually be. 

This problem - the oversaturation of content, the necessity and limits of interconnectivity and the resultant loss of spark - spotlight Ant-Man and the Wasps 3's flaws. It also highlights its struggle to stand out in an ever-expanding cinematic universe; while suggesting Marvel's strategy is to rely on the goodwill they have accumulated through the Infinity Saga to carry them through this awkward phase.

But returning to the critics. They showed me that I should be demanding better of the MCU. But they haven't changed the fact that I did enjoy this movie; flaws and all. I just wish it was better. I wish it demonstrated a love and care for the characters I have come to know over the last decade. And as an avid fan, who cares about the property, the characters and their stories, I should be demanding better films and TV shows. For the characters, and myself. The critics reminded me that Marvel has to do and be more than, simply, fun. Marvel must care too.  Because if they don't care, why should I?

Now, does this mean I will stop watching Marvel movies, TV shows, and shorts? NO. The MCU is one of the few things in my life that bring me uncomplicated, child-like joy. So NO, I will keep giving Disney my money; at least until the next Avengers movie. I will continue engaging with the MCU, especially the films, because of what it was and what it could be; not what it is right now. 

I just hope I am rewarded for my faith in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. 

Here's looking to you, James Gunn. #nopressure

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