Ant-Man and the Wasp
Ant-Man and the Wasp is a superhero action-comedy film that continues the adventures of Scott Lang as Ant-Man, now under house arrest after the events of Captain America: Civil War. He teams up with Hope van Dyne, who becomes the Wasp, and her father Hank Pym, to rescue Janet van Dyne from the Quantum Realm. The film is known for its lighthearted tone, humor, and innovative use of shrinking and enlarging technology in action sequences. It explores themes of family, redemption, and responsibility, offering a fun cinematic experience for audiences. The movie is rated PG-13 due to sci-fi action violence and some mild language, and while generally considered a softer PG-13, parental guidance is recommended for younger viewers due to certain intense scenes.
Concerns
Violence
MediumThe movie contains frequent sci-fi action violence, including hand-to-hand combat, fantastical weapons, and car chases, though it is generally stylized and lacks graphic gore. Some scenes involve characters being subdued or threatened.
Hope van Dyne (Wasp) engages in multiple fight sequences, utilizing her shrinking and growing abilities with kicks, punches, and wrist-mounted energy blasts against armed adversaries, often in a stylized and comedic manner. The antagonist, Ghost (Ava Starr), exhibits her ability to phase through objects, including a scene where she places her hand into a person's neck to intimidate and coerce them, without visible blood or gore.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomantic elements are present, primarily between Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne, including passionate kissing. There are also a few mild sexual innuendos.
Scott Lang (Ant-Man) and Hope van Dyne (Wasp) share a passionate kiss while fully clothed. There are also mild sexual innuendos, such as when male characters discuss how 'big' they have been in their suits, and a female character's comments derive innuendo from this, though they were referring to height.
Profanity
MediumThe film includes infrequent use of mild profanities and terms of deity. While not pervasive, the language is noted by some reviewers as being present more often than in other Marvel films.
Profanities include terms of deity, such as 'Oh My God,' and a partial scatological term, along with other mild curses like 'damn.' One review notes 'mild language' present in the film.
Substance Use
MediumThe film features a scene depicting the use of a mysterious drug administered via injection to compel characters to reveal information.
A 'truth serum' or mysterious drug is used on characters, with a scene showing a needle piercing the skin to administer it, causing them to speak freely. While alcohol is not explicitly highlighted as a concern for this specific film, subsequent entries in the franchise have had minor references to it, which were edited for some markets.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe movie contains several suspenseful and intense scenes, including car chases, confrontations with a villain who can phase through objects, and moments of life-threatening danger. While the overall tone is lighthearted, some elements could be frightening for younger viewers.
The villain, Ghost, can become intangible and move through walls, creating suspenseful and unsettling encounters, such as ambushing characters and phasing through them. Fast-paced action sequences, including a prolonged car chase through San Francisco with shrinking and growing vehicles and multiple crashes, contribute to the film's intensity.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe narrative centers on characters operating outside governmental authority due to Scott Lang's prior actions. While not overtly disrespectful in tone, the plot involves law-breaking and defiance against federal agents.
Scott Lang is under house arrest for two years for violating the Sokovia Accords by aiding Captain America, directly defying government orders and making him a fugitive from the FBI. Hank Pym and Hope van Dyne are also operating as fugitives due to their association with Scott and their unsanctioned quantum research, actively evading FBI agent Jimmy Woo's surveillance.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowThe film does not feature openly LGBTQ+ characters or relationships. However, it includes a gender-swapped villain (Ghost) and a scene involving gender identity exploration through character possession, which is noted for its unique representation within the MCU.
The character Ghost, the primary antagonist Ava Starr, is portrayed as a woman (Hannah John-Kamen), a gender-swap from the male comic book character. Additionally, a unique scene depicts Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) temporarily possessing Scott Lang's body (Paul Rudd), leading to Scott, while inhabited by Janet, affectionately interacting with Hope (daughter) and Hank (husband), including kissing Hope's head and stroking Hank's cheek.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no explicit depiction or discussion of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, or spells within the film. The fantastical elements are rooted in science fiction, particularly quantum physics and advanced technology.
The movie's core premise revolves around quantum physics and advanced shrinking/enlarging technology developed by Hank Pym. The Quantum Realm itself is presented as a scientific, subatomic dimension, not a magical or occult one.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery of Christian beliefs, or sacrilegious acts. Any mentions of deity are typically in the context of common colloquialisms rather than direct religious statements. The narrative primarily focuses on secular scientific and heroic themes.
The fantastical elements in the film are based on scientific concepts like quantum physics, rather than drawing from religious or spiritual doctrines. While some reviews mention 'terms of deity' in the profanity section, these are common exclamations like 'Oh My God,' rather than direct challenges or criticisms of Christian faith.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Parental guidance is recommended for children under 13, with caution for those under 10. While rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, the film contains moments of intensity and mild language that may be unsuitable for very young or sensitive viewers.
Additional Notes
The Ant-Man franchise generally maintains a more lighthearted and comedic tone compared to other MCU installments, but the sequel, 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,' introduced a significantly darker tone and more intense content, especially regarding violence and scary elements. Parents should be aware of this shift if considering the broader franchise. The initial film, 'Ant-Man and the Wasp,' focuses strongly on positive family relationships, particularly between Scott and his daughter Cassie, and Hank and Hope's efforts to reunite their family.
Related Reviews
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