Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, makes its 4K Ultra-HD debut in spectacular fashion, bringing back Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) for his second outing to face off against another world ending adversary known only as Kang (Jonathan Majors).
Image via Marvel Studios
In this ever-evolving multiverse which makes up the MCU Ant-Man has always been a smaller piece. However, this time round under the guidance of director Peyton Reed, who returns for a second helping, Scott Lang feels more like a standalone character capable of succeeding on his own terms.
A fact which sees him stand his ground as he is propelled into the quantum realm alongside Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), and Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer). Not only giving audiences a deeper understanding of this effects heavy landscape but introducing them to a re-cast Cassie, in the shape of Kathryn Newton (Big Little Lies).
What becomes abundantly clear about Quantumania on 4K Ultra-HD, is just how much the movie was given short thrift from audiences suffering from over-saturation. Much has been made of the limited imaginations behind those creating the quantum realm, but on 4K audiences will be able to appreciate and take time they were never afforded first time round.
Image via Marvel Studios
It may be true that there is an Alice in Wonderland vibe which permeates those early quantum encounters, but this world has so much more to offer for those prepared to dig deeper. The subtle comedic moments, that Bill Murray pseudo-cameo, not to mention how much charisma both Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer can muster cannot be ignored.
That Paul Rudd can stand toe to toe with these cinematic greats and convince audiences in a full-on heroic fashion should be commended. Especially when you consider the presence of acting monolithic Jonathan Majors, who leaves scorch marks wherever he goes on screen, and may yet prove to be the most divisive casting choice in recent memory.
Lest audiences forget that this actor now carries the yoke of controversy around his neck, hamstringing a career which was set to be stratospheric. With a slew of performances which started with White Boy Rick, and culminated with Magazine Dreams which made a splash this year at Sundance – Jonathan Majors joined the MCU proper after that star turn in season one of Loki.
Image via Marvel Studios
Not only delivering a raw physicality and invention to his interpretation of Kang but grounding his villain with shades of grey – making him more than a moral match for Thanos. That then is what makes Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania such a revelation on 4K Ultra-HD. It may still lack the weight of a more substantial Marvel entry, but neither could someone call it lightweight with a straight face anymore.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is out now on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD.
Rating: 3.5 / 5