Movie Review - Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Director: Peyton Reed
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonathan Majors, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Newton, Bill Murray
 
Description: Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) are dragged into the Quantum Realm, along with Hope’s parents (Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer) and Scott’s daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton. Together they must find a way to escape, but what secrets is Hope’s mother hiding? And who is the mysterious Kang (Jonathan Majors)?

Review: “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is the third part in the “Ant-Man’ series. Peyton Reed is again the director, having now directed the entire trilogy.

Since the Avengers are at rest, the threat and action is moved to a place where Ant-Man and his family have been before: the Quantum Realm. The ultimate threat in the film comes from one person and that is Kang, a mysterious man living in the Quantum Realm. Jonathan Majors portray him and does this so well. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is primarily the film within the larger MCU that serves as his entrance, and this is the film biggest achievement. Otherwise, plenty happens, but it’s all not very innovative or exciting. The stakes are not terribly high, outside having to save family and loved ones, which is fairly predictable.

The performances are good, the humor is there and I just love Paul Rudd. He can do no wrong. But if it weren’t for the character of Kang, this movie was not per say necessary.

Rating: 3/ 5

00s Movie Review - Don't Say a Word

Director: Gary Fleder
Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Crime/ Mystery
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: Michael Douglas, Sean Bean, Famke Janssen, Brittany Murphy, Oliver Platt, Lance Reddick

Description: When the daughter of a psychiatrist (Michael Douglas) is kidnapped, he’s horrified to discover that the abductor’s demand is that he breaks through to a post traumatic stress disorder suffering young woman (Brittany Murphy) who know a secret…

Review: When the infant daughter of psychiatrist Nathan Conrad is kidnapped, the abductors do not demand money, but ask Conrad for a service. He must extract a six-digit code from a mentally disturbed teenager.

The story is nicely put together, but you can’t escape the impression that we have seen all this before. The storyline and plot twists will not surprise a seasoned moviegoer. Director Gary Fleder did much better on “Kiss the Girls”, which did have the tension and surprises we all want from a movie in this genre. Nevertheless, the movie is entertaining enough for an evening of suspense.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

90s Movie Review - Basic Instinct

Director: Paul Verhoeven
Genre: Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 128 minutes
Year: 1992
Starring: Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, Jeanne Tripplehorn, George Dzundza, Denis Arndt, Wayne Knight, Mitch Pileggi, Stephen Tobolowsky

Description: A violent police detective (Michael Douglas) investigates a brutal murder that might involve a manipulative and seductive novelist (Sharon Stone)

Review: If there was ever a film that deserved the title of ‘erotic thriller’, it’s this one. Even today, the sex scenes are very daring for a film that does not belong in the adult section. Of course “Basic Instinct” is most known for that one interrogation scene, but the film has way more to offer.
Sharon Stone’s name is so strongly associated with the film that you would almost forget thay she wasn’t the first choice. Michael Douglas suggested Kim Basinger, but she rejected the role. Michelle Pfeifer, Kathleen Turner, Geena Davis, Ellen Barkin and Marielle Hemingway also declined. The studio finally wanted Demi Moore, but then director Paul Verhoeven suddenly thought of Sharon Stone, with whom he had already worked in “Total Recall”. And she turned out to be the perfect choice for femme fatale Catherine Tramell.
Michael Douglas plays the somewhat shady San Francisco detective Nick Curran. He falls for the wrong women, other women fall for him. During a murder investigation, he falls head over heels in love with the main witness (and suspect), the beautiful author Catherine Tramell. She has a strange take on ‘research’: she bases her male characters in her novels on existing men. And to study them she sleeps with them. When the book is finished, these men are mercilessly dumped. She is now the prime suspect in the murder of a man who was killed with an icepick. The same method as in one of Catherine’s books.
“Basic Instinct” is one of Paul Verhoeven’s best films, filled with intrigue, mystery, sensuality and darkness. I actually can’t believe that I saw this film at a young age, because it’s pretty explicit. I don’t think Verhoeven could have gotten away with this film today, because Hollywood is a bit of a prude.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Ant-Man and the Wasp

Director: Peyton Reed
Genre: Adventure/ Action
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2018
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline lilly, Michael Douglas, Michael Peña, Walton Goggins, Judy Greer, Bobby Cannavale, Michelle Pfeiffer, Laurence Fishburne

Description: As Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) balances being both a Super Hero and a father, Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past.

Review: After the big spectacle that is “Avengers: Infinity War”, Marvel studios gives his fans a moment to breath, with the smaller but also important “Ant-Man and the Wasp”. The first film from 2015 was very well received and was a true joy to watch. With director Peyton Reed returning, we get a trusted and very solid sequel with a high tempo and a high entertainment level.
Scott Lang is home on house arrest and his allies Hank and Hope are wanted. But somehow to cross paths again and have to work together. Don’t expect big threats, but a more personal touch and individual life situations that are on the line.
Paul Rudd was already a big surprise as Scott Lang and again he does a great job. But the biggest enrichment in this film is the introduction of The Wasp, portrayed by Evangeline Lilly. Hope is a strong power woman, not afraid to take the lead or to get her hands dirty.
The humor is also what made the first film strong. Again clearly present in the sequel. Especially character Luis, played by Michael Peña. And Langs sassy daughter Cassie.
For an soactacular adventurous action movie, “Ant-Man and the Wasp”is fairly small and that is what Marvel needed right now. And the fans, after all we had to deal with in “Avengers”Infinity War”.
“Ant-Man and the Wasp” eventually doesn’t manage to live up to the first film, but it is a fun time, filled with humor and good characters. I really enjoyed it and it’s a movie I would rewatch.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 77: Ant-Man

Director: Peyton Reed
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 2015
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll, Bobby Cannavale, Anthony Mackie, Judy Greer, Michael Peña, John Slattery, Hayley Atwell

Description: Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Review: In “Ant-Man” we follow Scott Lang. Scott is a burglar who was just released from prison and is trying to straighten his life. He wants to do good for his daughter. Scott realizes that this isn’t easy: he is fired and his ex only lets him see his daughter when he has a steady income. Scott decides to do one last burglar job: break into a safe of a rich man. In that safe isn’t any money though, but a suit. This suit belongs to Hank Pym, a genius inventor. Pym set up the burglary and wanted Scott to steal the suit. The suit gives you the ability to shrink to ant size. Scott has been chosen to wear it and becomes Ant-Man, to stop Prym’s protégé Darren Cross.
Originally Edgar Wright was going to direct “Ant-Man”. Peyton Reed took over that job and he did it well. This time the hero isn’t a millionaire, God or scientist. He is an average man, even with a criminial past. And it’s not the end of the world that’s at stake, or the universe. It’s a lot smaller, but still important. This makes it all fresh and new.
It takes some time for something to really happen, but once we are there “Ant-Man” is great. There is a lot to enjoy: great action sequences, interesting characters, humor. The scenes where Ant-Man shrinks and enhances himself again are fantastic.
A lot of questions were raised when Paul Rudd was cast as Scott Lang, but I think he showed everyone he is capable of carrying a big movie like this. He did a great job, he is charismatic, funny and really perfect for the role.
“Ant-Man” is a highly enjoyable Marvel film. I loved it!

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 88 Last Vegas

Director: John Turteltaub

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 105 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline, Mary Steenburgen, Jerry Ferrara, Romany Malco

Description: Three sixty-something friends take a break from their day-to-day lives to throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single pal.

Review: In “Last Vegas” we follow four childhood friends, now all in their sixties. Billy is getting married and his three friends want to celebrate this to take him to Las Vegas and to really party. Archie recently had a stroke and can’t wait to get away from his overprotective son and to finally live a little. Sam is very unhappy in his condo in Florida and his wife gives him a free pass to commit adultery while in Vegas. Because what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Pat is still mourning over his wife Sophie and isn’t in the mood for partying. Especially because he doesn’t want to see Billy, who didn’t come to his wife’s funeral. And finally Billy, workaholic and ‘till now the eternal bachelor. He’s marrying the much younger Lisa. The four of them are in for one hell of a trip.

I love Robert De Niro, put it’s become a little painful to watch him in these everyday comedies. His characters aren’t as intense and deep as they used to be. Michael Douglas plays a character that is more relatable, but it’s Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline that steal all the jokes. They seemingly have a lot of fun in their cliché roles, it works like a charm.

“Last Vegas” is very watchable and we got to thank the good cast for that. However, it could have been a lot better though. The script is a bit bland and it lacks inspiration.

“Last Vegas” is a fun film, but pretty mediocre. It’s a missed shot, I know that many other directors would have done better with these four experienced actors. It’s still an enjoyable movie to watch.

Rating: 3/ 5