Full spoilers apply to both Ant-Man movies.
Ant-Man and the Wasp often gets a bad review. His position in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) timeline – comes just two months later Avengers: Infinity War – and the apparent lack of originality made him an easy target for opponents. An airy, numerical palate cleanser that treads old earth? Thanks, but no thanks, some fans say.
Appeal 20 Admire To consider this film as nothing more than a light-hearted and tongue-in-cheek movie is wrong, however. In fact, Ant-Man 2 it takes a lot of creative momentum – easier said than done for its little superheroes – with its structure. Take a closer look and the continuation of 2015 Ant man actually plays like Dungeons and Dragons– style movie
Roleplaying in the MCU
Yes, you read it right – Ant-Man and the Wasp Is Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) in everything but the name. Confused? Let us explain.
The premise of the movie is simple. After Scott Lang returned from the Quantum Realm – something they didn’t think was possible – in Ant manHank Pym and Hope van Dyne devise a plan to rescue Janet van Dyne (Hank’s wife and Hope’s mother) from the subatomic dimension. Most importantly, Scott has the key to tracking down Janet. So while Hank and Hope are mad at him for his role in the movie Captain America Civil Warevents, put their grievances aside.
Just like the traditional DnD campaign, Ant-Man 2 consists of the main quest (save Janet) that a group of heroes (Scott, Hank, and Hope) must complete in order to earn a reward (reuniting with Janet).
Conceptually, Ant-Man and the Wasp evokes the originality of the DnD campaign
However, the similarities don’t end there. Ant-Man and the Wasp contains many side missions that the team has to deal with. These include building a Quantum Tunnel to reach the Quantum Realm, obtaining a MacGuffin-like component from secondary antagonist Sonny Burch, reclaiming a shrinking lab from main villain Ghost (more on that later), enlisting the help of a non-playable character Bill Foster, AND recovering Hank’s old Ant-Man costume from Scott’s daughter, Cassie. Hey, no one said saving Janet would be easy.
Such subplots may seem like mere goals to fill the movie’s running time. However, when viewed through the prism of the DnD campaign, each of them acts as a side mission to prove the strength of our heroes before their main mission.
Marvel’s penchant for humor makes it possible Ant-Man and the Wasp also play with your DnD allegories. The film’s second sequence, in which Scott and Cassie embark on their own hilarious, anti-centric quest to recover a valuable item (read: the world’s best grandmother’s trophy), pokes fun at the imagination required to run a DnD campaign. It’s a fun-filled hat tip that runs all the time Ant-Man 2a two-hour runtime, with the film’s overarching narrative – albeit at times blatantly expository – playing out as if the dungeon master (i.e. the person running the DnD session) was making up the plot as he watched.
Like the DnD campaign, Ant-Man and the Wasp he is determined how quickly (or rather methodically) he will get to his main mission. In fact, Scott and co need 50 minutes to start their main mission; a movement similar to playing for many hours (or even sessions). Dungeons and Dragons before completing the main task.
Character classes and skills of superheroes
The characters from Marvel Phase 3 also seem to be inspired by the DnD character classes. Or at least embody unique aspects of the character class they are similar to.
Let’s take Scott for example. A thief turned superhero is essentially a villain; DnD-like scoundrel who uses stealth (he’s an ex-con man, after all) and deception (he’s a master of magic card tricks in Ant-Man 2) to overcome obstacles. Janet can be compared to a wizard, and her Quantum Realm abilities make her similar to a magic user who can manipulate the fabric of reality. Even Hank, the druid – someone who wields the power of nature and creatures (also known as ants) – and Luis, stylized as a comedic bard, use this methodology.
Hope is probably the most archetypal DnD character of all. A representative of the warrior class, Hope is a combat master whose knowledge in the field surpasses that of those around her. Sure, Scott is a competent fighter. He studied with the best (Hank and Hope) in Ant manbut Hope spent her life training to be a superhero. Describing her as being on a different skill level – another reference to DnD – compared to everyone else is therefore not too much of a stretch.
Ant-Man and the Wasp features many side missions for the team to tackle
The group’s diverse personalities also provide an opportunity for one of DnD’s most beloved pastimes: disagreements laced with humor. The arguments and hilarious verbal sniping that occur between Scott, Hank and Hope parallels the DnD party members’ clashes over what decision to make together. Some incidents, such as the failure of Scott’s regulator or the arrival of the FBI on the scene to arrest Hank and Hope, bear the hallmarks of a dice roll in any DnD session.
And then there are DnD-like monsters and enemies Ant-Man and the Wasp. Okay, there’s no demogorgon like w Stranger things (another production inspired by DnD), but Ant-Man 2 has Ghost – a complex spectral-style antagonist – who haunts our heroes at every turn. Sonny Burch’s crew resemble thugs inhabiting DnD sessions, while even Scott’s activation of Gi-Ant Man becomes a temporary terrifying experience, albeit for the San Francisco civilians caught up in the film’s final act.
Dungeon art master
Ant-Man and the Wasp will always be remembered This the post-credits scene – you know, the one it connects to Avengers: Infinity War. Aside from some clever action sequences and plenty of humor, most MCU fans will say that this is largely a forgettable movie, even if it’s not Marvel’s worst movie (eternal, Thor: Dark WorldAND The Incredible Hulkwe are looking at you).
Despite its flaws, Ant-Man 2 it is fun and intriguing Dungeons and Dragonssuperhero movie. Conceptually, it evokes the originality of the DnD campaign, thanks to its narrative structure, impulsive action scenes and fantasy-based tone, which gives it a unique atmosphere and flavor. Given the criticism leveled at Marvel for its increasingly imitative film formula, Ant-Man and the Wasp it’s refreshingly innovative. Even when taking creative risks Marvel Phase 4The MCU could certainly use more of this ingenuity.
For more information on the MCU, find out how to watch marvel movies in order. Or read where Ant-Man and the Wasp placed in our best Marvel movies list or get information about everything you need to know Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Ant-Man and the Wasp is now available to stream on Disney Plus.