Ant-Man and the Wasp Parent Guide

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.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.