You probably didn’t realize it. Ant-Man and the Wasp – the second of three films to date – features an unexpected twist on the classic ’70s comedy, American College. While this detail may go unnoticed by many, it is of particular importance to understanding the complexity of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
All Explained in American College!
In Ant-Man and the Wasp, director Peyton Reed takes a subtle twist on the iconic film American College (or Animal House in the original version). This 1978 comedy by John Landis is known for its funny scenes and crazy characters. The story follows the misadventures of chaotic students in a fictional college fraternity.
At 13 minutes and 17 seconds into Ant-Man and the Wasp, we see Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) eating pasta alone in front of his TV screen, which is broadcasting an American college where characters Boone (Peter Rigert), Katie (Karen Allen) and Pinto (Tom Hulse) talk to their teacher Dave Jennings (Donald Sutherland) after using cannabis. Pinto, under the influence of drugs, conceives the idea of the whole world in his thumb. He says : “One atom of my fingernail could make up a tiny, tiny universe.“
This depiction echoes a concept explored in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantum Mania. And director Peyton Reed uses that soundbite to foreshadow and explain the complexity of the quantum realm, the central element of this third installment. This dimension, microscopic and visually spectacular, plays a crucial role in the plot of the film. A reference to an American college helps to contextualize the scope and issues of this dimension in relation to our reality.
A smart reference
While the Ant-Man films have always contained some quirky humor, Quantumania takes a darker path and moves away from the lighthearted tone that characterized the previous installments. The inclusion of this call at American College shows a desire to connect the two worlds in a subtle and clever way, while laying the groundwork for what’s to come in Quantummania.
It’s a nice hidden detail that showcases the wealth of references and winks that the directors incorporate into the MCU films, but it’s not enough to save the film. It’s clear that Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania didn’t live up to some fans’ expectations; It also gets an average viewership rating of 2.4 out of 5 on AlloCiné.
This is perhaps an opportunity to review the film in light of this new explanation and form a new opinion as it is now available on Disney+.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
