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Concentrated Podcast

Episode 172 - Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania Review

·1 hr 29 min·5 clips
Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan are teaming up for a decades-later sequel to 'I Am Legend'.
The episode begins with Eric sharing entertainment news, including the announcement of 'I Am Legend 2' starring Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan, the passing of Richard Belzer, and a new 'Hellboy' reboot directed by Brian Taylor. The hosts then transition into their main review of 'Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania'. They highlight Jonathan Majors' standout performance as Kang, noting his ability to portray different variants with distinct menace. The visual appeal of the Quantum Realm is praised, though some CGI is called clunky. Criticisms focus on the film's tonal imbalance, with forced humor that falls flat and a lack of serious emotional weight. The hosts feel characters like Cassie Lang, played by Kathryn Newton, are unconvincing, and supporting roles like Bill Murray's are unnecessary. They debate missed opportunities, such as a potential romantic backstory between Janet Van Dyne and Kang for greater tension. The plot's resolution is seen as too neat, undermining stakes. Post-credit scenes and Kang's future in the MCU are analyzed, with Eric detailing comic lore connections to Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four. The hosts compare the film to other Marvel phases, noting a trend towards mediocrity and calling for better tonal control. They assign ratings: Eric and Courtney give it 3/5, Muneerah 2.5/5, and Maria 2.5/5, averaging a 'just fine' verdict. The episode concludes with previews of upcoming podcast topics.

As heard by us

A lively Quantumania postmortem digs into the emotional story Marvel leaves underused in the Quantum Realm.

Concentrated approaches The Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania less as a verdict than as a lively group argument about what Marvel's Phase 5 opener chooses to emphasize.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play if you want Quantumania picked apart for the messier, more emotionally charged story the hosts wish it had chased.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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