“We’re Eternals.”
Eternals - Movie Review
Marvel released its much hyped and long awaited new Marvel Cinematic Universe (“MCU”) super hero flick this week! Eternals, introduced to the general public on November 5th, 2021, is the third release by Marvel Studios since the cinematic drought brought on by the pandemic, and only the second to release exclusively to theaters in that same period. Kevin Feige announced the project back in April of 2018 (do you remember 2018…us neither). Since then, the movie has taken its place in what Marvel refers to as “Phase Four” of the MCU (a.k.a. post-“blip” or after the Avengers/Infinity saga), along with Black Widow, Shang Chi, and the forthcoming Spiderman: No Way Home. Viewers may find this film. . .well. . .different. The experience doesn’t feel like the Marvel we are used to, or even the Marvel in recent films like the Black Widow. At the same, it does feel familiar in a somehow unfamiliar way. It is in this juxtaposition that Marvel really excelled, despite having some “less than excellent but better than good” moments.
The film follows a race of alien humanoids created by the Celestials called Eternals, 10 of which were sent to Earth to protect the human race from unruly Deviants. The group is led on Earth by Ajak (Salma Hayek), who wisely guides them through thousands of years of protecting and living among the people Earth. The remaining earthbound Eternals are Ikaris (Richard Madden), a flying hero with laser eyes; Sersi (Gemma Chan), a matter manipulating matron figure; Sprite (Lia McHugh), a Peter Pan-esque illusionist; Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) an engineering mastermind; Thena (Angelina Jolie), the swords wielding super warrior; Gilgamesh (Ma Dong-seok), a hard-handed bruiser; Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), who is super speedy; Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) an Eternal with firepower in his fingers; and Druig (Barry Keoghan), who can manipulate the mind of any human. The group spans size, gender, age and race and covers a storyline that begins in Mesopotamia in 500BC and ends in the present day. So, needless to say, there is a lot going on.
Eternals is a film of firsts. In this single motion picture, Marvel introduces to the screen many things the viewer has not seen in Marvel movies before, including a deaf super hero, its first gay kiss and a never before seen focus on South Asian characters. However, aside from these “in your face” milestones that the viewer sees as the story unfolds, what they don’t necessarily see (but will absolutely “feel”) is the addition of director Chloe Zhao. Zhao, who many know from her recent Best Director Oscar win for Nomadland (and the first woman of color to do so), is the first Asian woman to direct a Marvel film. While viewers may not realize that going into the theater, as writer and director, Zhao can be “seen” all over this movie. Her tactile and saturated storytelling cannot be missed as the film’s plot weaves through time and space. The result is a beauty that you aren’t used to getting from Marvel, but that makes the big screen experience that much more enjoyable.
While there is a lot of new things going on, you do still feel like you are watching a Marvel movie. It ties into the timeline of the MCU, so fans feel like they are still a part of the continuing saga. The action sequences are good, though not nearly as many of them as we are used to. Of course, there is an epic soundtrack, plenty of tight fitting outfits, jokes about capes, Easter eggs and highly-paid eye candy to make a Marvel fan feel right at home.
Even with all that is familiar, this is not your typical movie. Early critics have said that, while cinematically beautiful, the film fails to develop its characters or depth of plot and tries too hard to pull off an epic without filling in the holes. Many have said the movie feels slow while also too full of priorities. While all of these comments make sense from a purely critical standpoint, they also make sense if we think of the movie as an introduction. Eternals is essentially a trailer, a very expensive and beautiful trailer, for a universe of heroes and villains to whom we have not yet been introduced. It is Marvel setting up how it will become “post-Avenger Marvel”. If taken with that view, it makes sense that not all the characters were properly developed or that the plot was loosely erected over numerous holes. That is what trailers are meant to do: introduce the characters and basic plot. Maybe Eternals is just getting the audience warmed up for what is coming.
What we have seen of the MCU Phase Four so far, think shows like Wandavision and Loki, is the studio diving into the comic books and pulling out new ways to engage its fans in the post-blip universe it’s created using existing story lines. Sometimes the alleged missteps that critics highlight are actually just nods to the complicated past of a character not even covered by a movie or a foreshadowing of a battle that only the diehard Marvel comic fan would see coming. So, while many saw this movie as a missed opportunity, it is likely that many non-critic Marvel fans will see it as an exciting start to a new chapter in the MCU. OK…maybe it was a little clunky with the cornucopia of “firsts”, which meant each “first” didn’t get its due spotlight. But it was also beautiful to see characters we’ve never seen the likes of do things we’ve never seen super heroes do. With 10 main characters, each with their own intention and motivation, seeing enough character development to trigger any emotional response from the audience was a feat. Yet, the story is full of laughter and tears and a good sense of who these beings are and why we might want to see them in future films. To have attempted to do so much in one go was audacious, and not without fault, but ultimately entertaining. Eternals is beautiful and down to earth in a refreshing way. It might not be your favorite Marvel movie ever made, but it will be one you remember.
What did you think? Tell us in the comments.
