Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every 2018 Project Ranked Worst To Best

Ant-Man and the Wasp had the supremely unenviable task of having to follow up Avengers: Infinity War over the summer, but it pulled it off with aplomb, delivering a sequel whose lighthearted tone served as a perfect response to the dark ending of Infinity War, reminding audiences that not all hope is lost, and improving on everything that worked in the original Ant-Man.

Like the first film, the stakes are incredibly low - there's no saving the world here - but that's what makes the whole thing work so smoothly, as Scott's grounded motivation to just be a good man for the sake of his daughter while also doing the right thing for the sake of his friends despite what he could personally lose (his freedom) in doing so gives the film its big, beating heart. Even if it ends with Scott's world upended, the character soon to be forced onto a bigger stage in Avengers: Endgame, the fact that the sequel keeps everything so low key is commendable; after all, not every adventure in the MCU needs massive stakes to feel like it matters.

Just like the first time out, the cast completely sells the movie; for all the dazzling special effects that brings things to life like Ghost or the Quantum Realm and fuel the creative action sequences, they're nothing without the goofy charm of Paul Rudd, the grizzled sass of Michael Douglas, or the pure energy that is Michael Pena, while Evangeline Lilly finally gets to shine in a way the first film didn't quite allow her to. It's clear that everyone is having a blast, resulting in a film that's just flat out fun to watch on its own even as it quietly sets the stage for Endgame and beyond.