Ant-Man and the Wasp parents guide

Ant-Man and the Wasp Parent Guide

Ant-man gets a little help.

Overall B

Just as Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is settling into his responsibilities as a father, he is asked by Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) to put his family on hold and once again don the Ant-man suit. This time his mission involves working with The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly).

Release date July 6, 2018

Violence C
Sexual Content B
Profanity B-
Substance Use B+

Why is Ant-Man and the Wasp rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Ant-Man and the Wasp PG-13 for some sci-fi action violence.

Run Time: 118 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

If you’re looking for a summer distraction away from the heat, but are reluctant to bet your bucks on a superhero movie, you might want to reconsider Ant-Man and the Wasp. One of the few Marvel films that a rookie can enjoy without a thorough knowledge of the pen and ink canon of comics (although viewing the first Ant-Man movie would be helpful), this action comedy serves up some good laughs for older kids through to adults. Another family bonus is the violence is less explicit relative to other titles in this genre, however there is no shortage of action scenes.

Visually engaging with its many special effects depicting expanding/shrinking characters and objects, the story picks up with Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) or, when he’s wearing his amazing suit, Ant-Man. Lang is serving a house arrest sentence for his illegal, albeit well-intentioned, choices. His ability to keep the strict rules during the final days of his confinement are rigorously strained after the plot kicks in and Lang is coerced into helping Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and his daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly) find Pym’s wife Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer). (We learned that she was shrunk to sub-atomic size while saving the world in the first movie).

To make the trip into quantum-land, Hope needs to pick up a part to complete the “tunnel” that will lead to her lost mother. The purchase from a shady dealer (which is why I always shop for brand name quantum parts) goes rather badly. Then she encounters yet another nemesis, Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), who turns out to be a quantumly flaky woman wearing a mask. These two adversaries set off the real action that will fill the middle act of this movie. Fortunately, there’s a good dose of humor that smartly includes Lang quipping about the overuse of the word “quantum”.

Tussles, kicks, punches and car chases through the iconic streets of San Francisco (best place ever for such mayhem) round up most of the violence. A secondary character is killed with a weapon, another is subdued with a Taser-like device and yet another’s arm is accidentally set ablaze. Although well within the PG-13 zone, young children would fare better with the babysitter. Profanities, while still few and relatively mild, seem a little more frequent than in other Marvel films. Terms of deity, a partial scatological term and other mild words are heard. There’s also a passionate romantic moment that depicts a man and woman kissing while fully clothed.

Family relationships are a strong focus in the story, both between Pym and Hope along with Lang and his young daughter (who is very capably played by Abby Ryder Fortson). Separations and reunions between parents and kids feel genuine and emotional, elements not typically found in this franchise. Likewise, the good natured humor in this movie (especially comments coming from Peña) truly helps Ant-Man and the Wasp fly high with both Marvel fans and families looking for a movie retreat that doesn’t sting.

Directed by Peyton Reed. Starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas. Running time: 118 minutes. Theatrical release July 6, 2018. Updated

Ant-Man and the Wasp
Rating & Content Info

Why is Ant-Man and the Wasp rated PG-13? Ant-Man and the Wasp is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some sci-fi action violence.

Violence: This action film depicts conflict with person-to-person fighting in many scenes. Kicks, punches, pushes and some fantastical weapons and methods are seen. One character, who can move through objects, is seen with what appears to be her hand being wrapped inside another person’s neck (the image is not bloody or gory) while coercing him to do her bidding. Characters are abducted. In two scenes, characters are subjected to injections of a drug that causes them to reveal information; one of these scenes depicts the needle piercing the skin. Characters drive recklessly through city streets, causing vehicles to crash into objects and each other. A character’s clothed arm is seen in flames. Characters are subdued with a Taser-like weapon.

Sexual Content: A man and woman passionately kiss while fully clothed. Men brag about how “big” they have been while wearing the suits that allow them to shrink and expand; sexual innuendo is derived from a female character’s comments even though the men were referring to their height.

Profanity: Infrequent profanities include terms of deity (including a singular Christian term), a partial scatological term and other mild curses.

Alcohol / Drug Use: A mysterious drug is used on characters to get them to speak freely; one scene depicts the injection in detail.

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Ant-Man and the Wasp Parents' Guide

The term "quantum entanglement", used in this movie, is a scientific term that describes a remarkable phenomenon between particles that are spatially separated. You can read more about quantum entanglement and its fascinating properties.

This movie explores the idea of a universe much smaller than the one we inhabit in our daily lives. What other "universes" are there? Which ones would you want to explore? How does recognizing various "other worlds" change your perspective on life?

News About "Ant-Man and the Wasp"

Never under estimate the little guy! Picking up where the last Ant-Man movie left off, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is asked to return to his duties as the tiny superhero. This time Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) assigns him to work with his daughter, Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), who is also The Wasp.

From the Studio:
From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink. In the aftermath of “Captain America: Civil War,” Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside the Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from the past.
 “Ant-Man and the Wasp” is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Tip “T.I.” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Hannah John Kamen, Abby Ryder-Fortson, Randall Park, with Michelle Pfeiffer, with Laurence Fishburne, and Michael Douglas.
 Kevin Feige is producing with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard, Charles Newirth, and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, Paul Rudd, Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari wrote the screenplay.
- Marvel / Walt Disney Studios

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Ant-Man and the Wasp movie is October 16, 2018. Here are some details…

Related home video titles:

This movie is a sequel to Ant-Man. The tiny superhero also made an appearance in Captain America: Civil War.

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