Decades ago, Janet van Dyne shrunk to sub-molecular size to
disable a nuclear weapon. She was trapped in the quantum realm. Hank Pym
believed that Janet died, and raised their daughter, Hope, as a single parent. When
Ant-Man has a dream about Janet, Hank and Hope begin to believe that Janet may
be alive. Hope assumes her mother’s former superhero identity as the Wasp, and along
with the conscripted services of Ant-Man, she and her father try to save Janet.
Meanwhile, Ant-Man is on house arrest for previous acts of heroism which nonetheless
violated a law, and his efforts to save Janet jeopardize his
otherwise-soon-coming release. The technology that they hope to use to save
Janet would also bring healing to Ava, who tries to steal it; it is also pursued
by others who value it for the price it would bring. The heroes must try to accomplish
the impossible while being challenged by multiple adversaries.
** SPOILERS AHEAD THE REST OF THE WAY **
The Adoption
Connection
Ant-Man enjoys spending time with his daughter, and she is
excited for when they’ll be able to spend time together outside of his home,
once his house arrest is completed. Ant-Man tries to maintain a positive
relationship with his daughter’s mother and her new boyfriend.
Hank and Hope try to rescue Janet’s mother after believing
her to be permanently lost throughout all of Hope’s life. When Hope was young,
she was taught that her mother “saved countless lives knowing that [the cost of
it would be] that she’d be gone forever.”
Ava’s parents died tragically.
Strong Points
Ava is assisted in her survival efforts by a scientist, but
he puts limits on the tactics she can use in her attempt to survive; she
intends to kidnap a young girl, but the scientist says he will stop helping her
if she does that.
Janet understands Ava’s pain, and shows her compassion.
Challenges
Some aspects of the story could be frightening or sad for
younger children or children who have lost parents.
Several characters unexpectedly disintegrate.
Recommendations
Ant-Man and the Wasp is engaging. Some scenes, and themes of
parental loss and parents in danger of arrest, could be hard for some viewers,
but it seems likely to be fine for – and most appealing to – kids ages 11 and
up.
Questions for
Discussion
What right does Ava have to try to get the technology she
needs to survive? Are there limits on what she should be allowed to do in her
efforts?
How do you think Hope felt when she was told that her mother
went away forever to save other people?
When Ant-Man told his daughter that he doesn’t know how to
help The Wasp without hurting his daughter, what did he mean? Why did his
daughter tell him to help The Wasp?
What do you think it
would be like to go sub-atomic?
Other Ideas
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