by Full spoilers for both Ant-Man movies follow.
Ant-Man and the Wasp often gets a bad rap. Its position in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) timeline – coming just two months later Avengers: Infinity War – and the apparent lack of originality made it an easy target for naysayers. An airy palate cleanser, by the numbers, that retreads old soil? Thanks, but no thanks, say some fans.
Dismissing the 20th Wonder film as nothing more than a happy, bumpy movie, however, it is erroneous. In truth, ant man 2 it takes a huge creative turn — easier said than done for its tiny superheroes — with the way it’s structured. Take a Closer Look and the 2015 Sequel Ant Man really works like a Dungeons and Dragons-movie style.
Interpretation in the MCU
Yes, you read that right – Ant-Man and the Wasp it is a Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) in everything but the name. Confused? Allow us to explain.
The film’s premise is simple. After witnessing Scott Lang’s return from the Quantum Realm – something they didn’t think was possible – in Ant Man, Hank Pym and Hope van Dyne formulate a plan to rescue Janet van Dyne (Hank’s wife and Hope’s mother) from the subatomic dimension. Crucially, Scott holds the key to tracking down Janet. So while Hank and Hope are furious with him for his role in captain america civil warevents, they put their grievances aside.
Just like a traditional DnD campaign, ant man 2 comprises a main quest (rescue Janet) that your group of heroes (Scott, Hank, and Hope) must complete in order to earn their reward (reunion with Janet).
Conceptually, Ant-Man and the Wasp evokes the originality of the DnD campaign.
However, the similarities do not stop there. Ant-Man and the Wasp contains several side quests for the team to tackle. They include building a Quantum Tunnel to reach the Quantum Realm, acquiring a MacGuffin-like component from secondary antagonist Sonny Burch, reclaiming his shrinkable lab from primary villain Ghost (more on her later), enlisting the help of a non-player character. in Bill Foster, It is retrieving Hank’s old Ant-Man suit from Scott’s daughter Cassie. Hey, nobody said rescuing Janet would be easy.
These subplots might seem like common goals for filling a movie’s running time. Viewed through the lens of a DnD campaign though, each acts as a side quest to prove our heroes’ mettle before their main quest.
Marvel’s penchant for humor allows Ant-Man and the Wasp to have fun with your DnD floats too. The film’s second sequence, which finds Scott and Cassie carrying out their own ant-centric quest to retrieve a valuable object (read: a World’s Greatest Grandma trophy), pokes fun at the imagination required to lead a DnD campaign. It’s a fun tip of the hat that runs throughout ant man 2The film’s two-hour running time, with the film’s overarching—if at times quite expository—narrative unfolding as if a dungeon master (i.e., the individual leading a DnD session) is coming up with the plot while you watch.
As a DnD campaign, Ant-Man and the Wasp he is resolute about how quickly (or rather, with what method) he gets to his main mission. In essence, it takes Scott and company 50 minutes to really get started on their main quest; a move similar to playing several hours (or even sessions) of Dungeons and Dragons before the main assignment is reached.
Character Classes and Superhero Abilities
Marvel’s Phase 3 movie characters also seem to be inspired by the DnD character classes. Or at least embody the unique aspects of the character class they resemble.
Take Scott, for example. The thief turned superhero is essentially a rogue; a DnD-type scoundrel who uses stealth (he’s an ex-convict, after all) and trickery (he’s a master of card magic tricks in ant man 2) to navigate obstacles. Janet can be compared to a sorceress, with her Quantum Realm abilities making her akin to a magic user who can manipulate the fabric of reality. Even Hank, a druid – that is, someone who wields the power of nature and creatures (also known as ants) – and Luis, who has the style of a comic bard, play with this methodology.
Hope is arguably the most archetypal DnD character of them all. A representative of the warrior class, Hope is a master combatant whose expertise in this field far exceeds those around her. Of course, Scott is a competent fighter. He was taught by the best (Hank and Hope) in Ant Man, but Hope has been training to be a superhero her entire life. Describing her as being at another skill level – another DnD benchmark – to everyone else, then, isn’t too difficult.
Ant-Man and the Wasp contains several side quests for the team to tackle
The group’s different personalities also provide opportunities for one of DnD’s most beloved pastimes: humorous disagreements. The amusing verbal bickering and arguments that occur between Scott, Hank, and Hope are analogous to DnD party members clashing over what decision to collectively make. Some incidents, like Scott’s regulator malfunctioning or the FBI arriving on the scene to arrest Hank and Hope, bear the hallmarks of making a crappy dice roll in any DnD session.
And then there are the DnD-type monsters and enemies that populate Ant-Man and the Wasp. Okay, there is no Demogorgon as in Weird stuff (another DnD-inspired production), but ant man 2 there’s the Phantom – a complex, specter-style antagonist – who haunts our heroes at every turn. Sonny Burch’s crew resembles the enemy thugs that inhabit the DnD sessions, while even Scott’s activation of his Gi-Ant Man abilities becomes a temporary terrifying experience, albeit one for the San Francisco civilians caught up in the final act of the film.
Master of the Arts Dungeons
Ant-Man and the Wasp will always be remembered by what post-credits scene – you know, the one that connects Avengers: Infinity War. Except for some clever action sequences and a lot of humor, most MCU fans will tell you that it’s a largely forgettable movie, even if it’s not the worst Marvel movie out there (eternal, Thor: The Dark WorldIt is The incredible Hulkwe are looking for you).
Despite its flaws, ant man 2 it’s a fun and intriguing Dungeons and Dragonsbased on superhero movie. Conceptually, it evokes the originality of DnD campaigns, with its narrative structure, impulsive action scenes, and fantasy-based tonality, giving it a unique vibe and flavor. Considering the criticism leveled at Marvel for its increasingly imitative cinematic formula, Ant-Man and the Wasp it’s refreshingly innovative. Even with the creative risks taken in marvel phase 4the MCU could certainly use more of this ingenuity.
For more MCU coverage, discover how to watch marvel movies in order. Alternatively, read where Ant-Man and the Wasp placed in our best marvel movies list or get detailed information about everything worth knowing Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Ant-Man and the Wasp is available to stream now on Disney Plus.
