A look at Ant-Man and the Wasp – or why I’m eating crow

The MCU

When I first heard those letters over chatter as I sat with my fellow bloggers in Los Angeles this weekend, I shook my head and thought to myself…                                    There is a university for Marvel characters?

Yes, that’s just how clueless I was.

The backstory

Photo courtesy of ©Marvel Studios 2018

I am married to a man, and have an adult child who’s biggest joy would be sitting in a theater from morning through night doing a movie marathon, after which they’d come home and argue everything from general impressions to camera angles, as my eyes glaze over. Don’t get me wrong…I love a good RomCom, will sit on the edge of my seat for a documentary, and spend DAYS at a film festival featuring art-house films. Mr. S would call me a snob and he’s probably right. I used to turn up my nose at Superheros in weird costumes….

I confess

This week I was in Los Angeles with my Disney friends screening Ant-Man and The Wasp, and if someone can be “turned Marvel” – that’s just what happened. There was no brainwashing or coercive persuasion. There was no secret meeting with people in dark hoods chanting. There was no withholding food or water (just the opposite – they LURED me with food, popcorn, water and 3D glasses). At the 2 minute mark in this flick, I realized I was smiling (and not contemplating an escape from the theater). That smile turned to a gasp, then laughter and back to smiling over the course of 2 hours. I was HOOKED.

Marvel Studios ANT-MAN AND THE WASP..L to R: Cassie Lang (Abby Ryder Fortson) and Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) ..Photo: Ben Rothstein..©Marvel Studios 2018

My dozen no spoiler reasons you should see Ant-Man and the Wasp

1. 1. It’s Fun
   2. Because OMG – Michael Pena
   3. While it’s not a RomCom, there is a romantic tease
   4. Because #WomenPower
   5. It’s Smart
   6. It will have you on the edge of your seat rooting for the good guys
   7. It’s Exciting
   8. Some of the dialogue feels like a riff
   9. You’ll feel like a wide-eyed kid again
   10. You’ll wish your dad was like Scott (Paul Rudd) when you were young
   11. You’ll realize that you really don’t take it all with you in your handbag when you see what they can carry
   12. You might get over your Myrmecophobia (go ahead….look it up)

Marvel Studios ANT-MAN AND THE WASP..Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2018

On the other hand

1. It will make you feel guilty that you aren’t going to the gym enough
2. Your fear of ghosts might return
3. You’ll spend a fortune on iTunes buying those songs you used to love
4. You may have a new fascination with your child’s Hot Wheels cars
5. You might swear in front of your spouse, friends or complete strangers before leaving the theater
6. You’ll wonder why plastic surgeons can’t do virtual face-lifts

Don’t leave when you first see the credits come up. HEY, I SIGNED AN NDA…so that’s ALL I’m saying.

Mark your calendar!Ant-Man and the Wasp opens nationwide on July 6th

• Like ANT-MAN AND THE WASP on Facebook: facebook.com/marvelstudios  
• Follow ANT-MAN AND THE WASP on Twitter: @AntMan  
• Follow Marvel Studios on Instagram: @marvelstudios
• ANT-MAN AND THE WASP arrives in theatres everywhere on July 6th!