Parents' Guide to Ant-Man and the Wasp

This comparatively lighthearted, optimistic sequel provides the laughs Marvel fans may well be craving after the heartbreaking intensity of Infinity War. Rudd's Scott has changed since Ant-Man: He now runs the hilariously named X-Con Security with his comic-relief sidekicks (and fellow ex-cons) Luis (Michael Peña), Dave (Tip "T.I." Harris), and Kurt (David Dastmalchian), and he sees his daughter, Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson), on a regular basis. His sense of superhero obligation has also expanded beyond Pym's scope; he did what he needed to do on Team Cap. The movie's (many) Marvel references will remind viewers of Ant-Man's relatively minor position in the Avengers universe, but, for once, that's a good thing. You can sit back and laugh at the jokes (yes, Luis delivers one of his signature loopy long stories), even if you don't quite buy the scientific explanations.

There isn't really a need for two separate "baddies" to follow Ant-Man and company -- but, then again, a smuggler isn't nearly as compelling as a young woman whose only crime was being, like Hope, the daughter of an ambitious scientist. Laurence Fishburne joins the cast as Dr. Bill Foster, another former partner of Pym's with a bone to pick (apparently Hank was so egomaniacal that he lost a lot of associates and friends along the way). Despite Fishburne's considerable comedic talents, he's a straight man here. Pfeiffer stands out in her scenes, mostly because Janet is far more charismatic than Hank or Hope. (And Janet's psychic connection to Scott leads to a funny scene in which she basically takes over his body.) John-Kamen is formidable as The Ghost; it's difficult to fault her for hating Hank and wanting him to pay for her painful existence. Bottom line? For more of Rudd's charm, some genuine laughs, and a hopeful mission (who can't root for a team that wants to rescue Mom?), this sequel is a win -- if not a Marvel masterpiece.