IsAnt-Man and the Waspa forgettable installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or a bright, cheery tonic?

Most critics seem to agree on the latter.

ForEWs Darren Franich, however, Ant-Man and the Waspstumbles by trying to take itself even half-seriously.

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Credit: Ben Rothstein/© Marvel Studios

Poor Hannah-John Kamen looks stranded as the notional super-baddie, the space-phasing Ghost.

Read more reviews below.

This is one of those Marvel products peddling self-aware detachment as a defining narrative strategy.

It feels less like a feature film than a meme somebody made about anAnt-Mantrailer.

He jammed comedy, action, and origin-story mythology into a film that had more amiable spirit than craft.

His combat scenes dont overpower.

Not that this is an entirely plot-free extravaganza or just an excuse for comic riffs.

If the filmmakers dont pretend to take the proceedings too seriously, you dont have to, either.

But it just might be the nicest, and that counts for something.

Needless to say, were eagerly ant-icipating Ant-Man and the Wasps next outing.

If this sounds like Im being condescending to this movie at all, I promise you I am not.

I mean this as a huge compliment.

If it hasnt been clear yet:Ant-Man and the Waspis the funniest movie Marvel has made yet.

But its not all goofs in here.

And Ghost is a surprisingly well realized villain.

That may not sound like a compliment, but it is.

Even multi-billion-dollar enterprises need a bit of modulation every now and then.

Next year well see that conflict resolved inAvengers 4.

In this kind of film, no one dies, not even bad guys.

They sit on a curb in handcuffs, glowering and doing variations on, Curses, foiled again!

Its busy, harmless fun.

Very, very busy.

Richard Lawson (Vanity Fair)The nicest thing aboutA.M.A.T.W.is perhaps how bloodless it is.

Compared to all the turgid savior stuff of Avengers, the movie seems almost stakes-free.

Theres a rescue operation afoot, and a couple people trying to thwart it for their own selfish purposes.

Cities are not threatened; comrades do not fall.

A few ants are eaten by a seagull, but its, well, kinda funny.

Ant-Man and the Waspopens July 6.