When Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania hit theaters, it was met with a wave of criticism. Many fans and critics called it messy, underwhelming, or even one of the weakest entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But let’s be honest—does it really deserve all that hate? While it may not be Endgame-level epic, Quantumania is far from the disaster some make it out to be. In fact, if nothing else, it’s certainly a stronger film than its predecessor, Ant-Man and the Wasp.

🐜 A Bigger and Bolder Vision

One of the biggest criticisms of Quantumania was its departure from the lighthearted heist-style storytelling that made the first two Ant-Man films stand out. Instead, it dove headfirst into sci-fi territory, exploring the vast and bizarre Quantum Realm. While some saw this as a drawback, it was actually a much-needed evolution for the franchise.

Unlike Ant-Man and the Wasp, which felt more like a filler movie in between Infinity War and Endgame, Quantumania actually had stakes. It introduced Kang the Conqueror, a villain with real presence and menace, setting up the MCU’s next big bad. Say what you will about the film’s execution, but at least it had ambition—something the second film lacked.

🤖 Kang vs. Ghost: No Contest

Speaking of villains, let’s talk about the antagonists. Ant-Man and the Wasp gave us Ghost, a character with an interesting backstory but ultimately weak motivations and little impact. Her entire arc was built around a desperate need for healing, but she never truly felt like a major threat.

Now compare that to Quantumania‘s Kang. Jonathan Majors delivered a chilling performance, giving us a villain who was powerful, manipulative, and genuinely intimidating. He had a commanding screen presence and a deeper connection to the overarching MCU story. Even if some fans felt the movie underused him, there’s no denying that Kang was a far superior villain to Ghost in every way.

🌎 The Quantum Realm: A Visual Spectacle

Another area where Quantumania shines over its predecessor is world-building. The Quantum Realm was a stunningly crafted environment, filled with imaginative creatures, vibrant landscapes, and an almost Star Wars-esque sci-fi feel. In contrast, Ant-Man and the Wasp kept things grounded in San Francisco, which—while fun—felt like just another MCU setting.

Sure, some of the CGI in Quantumania could have been better, but at least it gave us something new to look at. It expanded the MCU’s lore and introduced us to a whole new dimension, rather than just giving us another shrinking-and-growing adventure in a familiar city.

🎭 The Humor: Hit or Miss, But Still Fun

Let’s be fair—Quantumania had some humor that didn’t land. M.O.D.O.K.’s inclusion was divisive, and his comedic moments were a bit jarring. But when you compare it to Ant-Man and the Wasp, which leaned heavily into comedy but often felt like it lacked real tension, Quantumania at least tried to balance humor with a sense of urgency.

And let’s not forget, Paul Rudd is still effortlessly charming as Scott Lang. Whether he’s making dad jokes, struggling with his celebrity status, or having heartwarming moments with Cassie, he continues to be a highlight of the franchise.

📉 Why the Hate?

So why did Quantumania get so much backlash? Part of it was timing—it came out when Marvel fatigue was setting in. With Phase 4 being hit-or-miss, expectations were sky-high for Quantumania to deliver something amazing. When it didn’t meet those lofty hopes, the response was harsher than it probably should have been.

The film also suffered from the weight of being the movie that introduced Kang in a big way. Many fans expected something on the level of Infinity War with Thanos, and when they didn’t get that, disappointment followed. But when you take Quantumania for what it is—a fun sci-fi adventure that expands the MCU’s boundaries—it’s far from the disaster some claim it to be.

🚀 The Verdict: Overhated but Underrated

At the end of the day, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is a flawed but fun MCU entry. It took risks, introduced a compelling villain, and delivered some visually stunning world-building. While it may not be a top-tier Marvel film, it’s certainly better than Ant-Man and the Wasp, which felt more like a side story than a meaningful chapter in the MCU.