Selectively because there’s a bunch of half-empty articles out there on the subject:
Director Peyton Reed’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania certainly didn’t disappoint in its domestic box debut, with the film flying to a four-day opening of $120 million, one of the best showings ever for the Presidents Day holiday and by far the biggest start for Marvel’s low-key franchise.
Yet the third installment of the Paul Rudd-Evangeline Lilly series is still a cautionary win for Marvel Studios and Disney, which are at a critical juncture as Marvel kicks off Phase 5, and conquering hero Bob Iger returns as Walt Disney Co. CEO. With a 47 percent rating, the film is tied with Eternals (2021) for Marvel’s lowest Rotten Tomatoes score, and perhaps more telling, it earned a B CinemaScore from audiences, one of the few Marvel titles to do so.
I dunno. Maybe they’re still all chasing that ENDGAME high. And I mean all, Marvel included. I quite enjoyed the flick as a parody of… MCU high-stakes movies, but I might have built Kang up a bit more before making him the next Big Bad for the MCU’s superheroes to oppose. Then again, the movie made 120 million last weekend without my help, so what do I know?
Anyway, go see the flick if you want to. It’s funny and still self-aware of the essential absurdity of its premise. Good for an afternoon of popcorn and Milk Duds* with the kids.
Moe Lane
*Or whatever candy you prefer. I don’t think it’s my place to tell you what to snack on in the theater.