I saw Ant-Man and the Wasp...

Like most Marvel Avengers fans, I've been ant-icipating "Ant-Man and the Wasp", since the initial chapter proved so fun and fulfilling. Paul Rudd's performance as Scott Lang in "Captain America: Civil War" furthered that enchantment, giving humor and reasonable, realistic gusto (even if Peter Parker did curb it) to the daunting goal at hand.

Directed by "Ant-Man'"s Peyton Reed and scripted by Andrew Barrer; Gabriel Ferrari; Chris McKenna; Erik Sommers; and Rudd, "Ant-Man and the Wasp" reunites Lang with his primary friends and family: Michael Douglas' Dr. Hank Pym (the original Ant-Man and once S.H.I.E.L.D. agent); Evangeline "Real Steel" Lilly's Hope van Dyne (Pym's daughter and the current Wasp); Michael Pena's comedic Luis; Judy Greer's gleeful Maggie (Lang's ex); Bobby Cannavale's responsible Jim Paxton; and Abby Ryder Fortson's Cassie, Lang's supportive daughter. 

They're joined by Laurence Fishburne's Bill Foster (also a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and ex-Goliath Project lead); Michelle "Batman Returns" Pfeiffer's Janet van Dyne (Mrs. Pym and original Wasp); Randall Park's magic-loving Jimmy Woo; and on the villainous side, Walton "Tomb Raider" Goggin's shifty Sonny Burch and Hannah John-Kamen's Ava Foster, the stealthy, white-armored Ghost.

Though the plot is bracketed by Pym's search for his long-lost wife, Ghost (a Marvel male by printed tradition and long ago, an Iron Man foe) is the consuming catalyst, who possesses the perplexing power of passing through solids (a clever concept lifted from Jack H. Harris/Irvin Yeaworth's 1959 classic, "4D Man"). The vixen's terminal goal is to stop her disintegration: a matter indirectly linked to Pym's experimentation. As such, the covert inventor dispatches Ant-Man and the Wasp to settle the escalating, crossover concern.  

The sometimes ungainly but indefatigable Lang makes good use of his dynamic companion through the two-fold mission. Though Wasp doesn't mimic Lang's amazing, colossal size, she can miniaturize and does possess the speedy advantage of wings, which allow her to dart deftly among the trickiest nooks and crannies. But even such wily leverage isn't enough to trip the slippery Ghost, let alone Burch's mobster brawn. 

The emerging problems leave Luis and his buddies, Kurt (Dave Dastmachian) and Dave (T.I.), to aid in the time-sensitive goal. Their efforts and antics liven things up, but none of it ever grows so unrealistic or excessive to obstruct the traction, which is bridged by colorful, scientific exploration.

Nonetheless, a wide range of dry and slapstick humor weaves throughout the plot's phases and due to the participants' credible charm, succeeds. On all counts (and despite their disconcerting circumstances and elusive, high-tech hardware) these are likable, approachable people. Heck, even Ghost is identifiable in her own, tragic way. 

The relationship between Ant-Man and the Wasp is most important, however (the glue that binds the membership), for though the couple can be sometimes contentious (in a Tony Stark/Pepper Potts manner), they're willing to watch/protect each other's backs and therefore, establish a valuable example for others (particularly the audience) to follow. 

Also, that Hope/Lilly projects above-average looks (whether in common or costumed gear) hastens the obliging, sexual tension. In other words, the Wasp more than holds her own with any live-action, comic-book goddess, even if she remains more terrestrial than otherworldly. 

It's refreshing, too, to experience an Avengers film that feels compact (pun intended), and I don't mean in length, but rather in structure and story complexity. Coming off the heels of the layered "Black Panther" and "Infinity War: Part I", this was a sensible move. (A little diversion--again, pun intended--is always welcome, even when relegated to the same, mythological universe.) On the other hand, "Ant-Man and the Wasp" delivers an impressive, transmuting punch within its modest context, explicating terrific teamwork and fantastic feats that not even "Incredibles 2" could achieve. (In fact, one might argue that "Ant-Man and the Wasp" is the film that "Incredibles 2" aspired to be.)

Shed those irrational concerns of superhero fatigue. You'll be mighty pleased with this one and beyond a doubt, buzz away charged for a third entry. But let's hope that in light of Marvel's massive, movie agenda, the lively Lang and his gang don't remain in hiatus too long, but then, with "Infinity War: Part II" right round the bend, why worry?

I saw Cap...

I saw Captain America, in the grandiose sequel, "Captain America: the Winter Soldier" (directed by the acclaimed Anthony and Joe Russo and penned by the equally acclaimed Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely), and as far as team-up jaunts go, this is a triumph: right up there with "Avengers", I dare say, only not as character-laden, of course, and considerably darker, more cynical than most other Marvel movies. It also features both of Cap/Steve Rogers's primary comic-book "best buddies": Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan, reprising his role from "First Avenger") and Sam Wilson, the Falcon (Anthony Mackie). The ever stalwart Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson) is in there, too, along with the ever resourceful (and abundantly fetching) Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), plus some new characters, like SHIELD honcho, Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford), who brings a sleek,  '70s espionage feel to the scene. Still overall, it's essentially Chris (Johnny Human Torch) Evans' steadfast WWII superhero who keeps this powerful yarn completely in check. Through him, everything patriotically revolves.

The film's ultimate focus (as most already know from recently publicized comic-book lore) centers on a revitalized (once believed defunct) Bucky: brainwashed into a super-charged, bionic machine. He's the Winter Soldier: for what it's worth, a term that refers to one of initial honor, but later of questionable cause.

In a way, it's actually quite heartbreaking to discover that Bucky has gone from virtuous aide to demented foe (even though in the last Cap entry, he was radically reinterpreted to be older and wiser, instead of an adolescent "poor man's Dick Grayson", as he's sometimes been called). Still, as the mind-warped Winter Soldier, one can't help but feel a sentimental twinge for Cap's wartime sidekick, but gosh, is he ever a lethal opponent! At the same time, he's also not a traditional villain, if only in that he can't entirely shake his gracious roots (particularly when he recognizes Rogers after an intense encounter), but always remains a tenacious enough force to fuel the film's escalating tension.

Although Bucky may have fallen off the virtuous path, the Falcon is there to more than deftly occupy his spot, but it's the modern, practical look that he sports, not that hip, '70s flair that many generally associate with the character. Nonetheless, the new look works logically in the modernized scheme of things, and whenever the Falcon takes flight, the sequences are nothing short of thrilling.

At any rate, Cap not only has to contend with a dangerously revamped Bucky, but has suspicions that Nick Fury and SHIELD many not necessarily be on the level, especially in the aftermath of a recent mission. How Cap resolves this, and who (or what) is actually pulling Bucky's strings (an old enemy, perhaps?) is what draws one deeper into the plot.

In the end, beyond all the twists and turns, "Winter Soldier" emerges as a rollicking, high-adrenalin adventure, which like its predecessor, never forgets that, at its heart, it's all about a good man trying to do good. That's what counts here. Cap stands for something righteously old-fashioned, yes, but so what? Admirably, he believes in doing the respectable thing and is never hesitant when it comes to dishing out justice. Of course, in Bucky's case, Cap does face a dilemma, for his friend has obviously been altered by others. Still, with the damage done, how can Cap allow his old pal to run rampant? Cap has no choice but to stop him, or by some impossibly slim chance, find the means to reach him, redeem him.

Anyway, get off your duffs and support Cap in his latest spree. That's right--send a message to those high-brow know-it-alls who think Cap is passe, and maybe on a more frequent basis, we'll be awarded even more of these good-hearted salutes. God only knows we need such in this ever confusing world; why, oh, why not at the very least start with the movies?

LONG LIVE CAP AND ALL FOR WHICH HE STANDS!!!