- The Washington Times - Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Marvel’s multi-sized Avenger expands his latest live-action reach from movie to now ultra-high definition home theater screens in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Cinematic Universe Edition (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, rated PG-13, 118 minutes, 2.39:1 aspect ratio, $39.99).

Before diving into the plot, any film featuring a Partridge Family song in its first 10 minutes immediately scores high in my world, and the entertainment levels exponentially increase in this family-fun-filled sequel featuring plenty of laughs, mind-bending action and charismatic performances.

Offering roughly three days in the life of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), aka Ant-Man, viewers are privy to his remaining time under house arrest for his battle with Tony Stark and pals in Marvel’s Civil War.

However, instead of just getting to hang out at home playing with his daughter, performing some karaoke and being bored, he gets pulled into a desperate search by Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), aka Wasp.

Specifically, she and her father Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), the original Ant-Man, are on a mission to find their mother/wife Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), aka the original Wasp, who has been missing in the quantum realm microverse for the past 30 years.

Of course, it won’t be easy as the FBI tries to catch Scott breaking his parole; a molecularly unstable female named Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) tries to take Mr. Pym’s technology to help her heal; and a low-life criminal named Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) wants to steal the tech to sell on the black market.

Director Peyton Reed returns and keeps the pacing breezy and disjointedly humorous throughout while offering plenty of father-and-daughter bonding moments as well as a heartwarming family reunion.

Also, the effects from Industrial Light & Magic are so slick and numerous, they are gleefully head scratching as the Ant Man and Wasp go micro and macro on demand as well as shrink and expand common items.

As one could imagine, in the current state of digital movie making, the possibilities are endless.

Viewers will love moments such as the pair’s first combative encounter with Ghost (a familiar enemy of Iron Man in comics by the way); watching a shrunken Ant-Man (about the size of a 3-year-old) running through the halls of a high school; seeing a Hello Kitty Pez Dispenser expand and get thrown at vehicles; and appreciating the growing of cars hidden in a vintage Hot Wheel case.

The end credits are equally eye-popping and feature some awesome dioramas and mini-figures spotlighting scenes from the movie.

Suffice it to report, “Ant-Man and The Wasp ” keeps producer Kevin Feige and his Marvel Cinematic Universe win streak alive by delivering another dynamic superhero film.

4K UHD in action: Although having to settle for another 4K upscale of the theatrical release’s 2K master format, viewers will have two areas to focus on that offer strong examples of high dynamic range as well as 2160p detail.

First under color, the saturated wonderland of the quantum realm arrives filled with a kaleidoscope of neon waves, florescent interactions and hue-soaked crystal shards amid flickering molecular globules and undulating tendrils.

All are highlighted by screen-popping greens, purples, oranges blues, reds.

Under UHD detail, look to Wasp hanging on a chandelier tear or running alongside a chef’s knife whizzing by the screen with her reflection clearly on the blade. Also, enjoy Ant-Man riding on top of a flying ant, and the hero stuck on a moving wiper blade spurting water (dried water stains even appear on his helmet later in the scene).

Now, it’s also worth noting that the Blu-ray, 1080p version of the film is almost as equally impressive maintaining sharp color and detail throughout.

Best extras: Almost all of the bonus stuff gets contained on the Blu-ray disc (more on that later) and begins with an optional commentary track from Mr. Reed.

He delivers a methodical, slightly subdued, but informative non-stop narration burgeoning on, at times, a professorial lecture.

The director touches on the digital “youngification” (his words) of Mr. Douglas and Miss Pfeiffer (both seen very young early in the movie), the back story with a continual narrative dissection, family emotions, the demand for photo-realistic effects and his appreciating for creating Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 20th movie.

Next, viewers get 22 minutes about the production, broken into four segments that cover an homage to the comedy styling’s of Mr. Rudd (perpetually breaking up the cast); Wasp in her intricate costume in action (mainly explained by Miss Lilly); a spotlight on Mr. Douglas; and a spotlight on the magical practical and digital special effects.

Viewers can also enjoy alternate takes of the venerable Stan Lee during his scene as he reacts to watching a car shrink. They are to be cherished by Marvel Comics’ fans.

Now, those in need of more extras must use the code in the packaging tied to the Movies Anywhere cloud-streaming service (free to appreciate) to get a copy of the film and an additional pair of featurettes.

The best is an 8-minute look at the role of concept artists in translating Marvel Comics superheroes to the cinematic realm. It offers plenty of great artwork and short interviews with behind-the-scene stars such as comic book lover and Marvel Studios Director of Visual Development Andy Park and Marvel Studios Head of Visual Development Ryan Meinerding.

• Joseph Szadkowski can be reached at jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com.

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