A BURST OF COSMIC ENERGY IN THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
Brie Larson is back as the stone faced badass Captain Marvel! Joining her on this adventure is reluctant superhero, Monica Rambeau, and overly eager superhero Kamala Khan. Will these 3 heroes have enough cosmic energy to stitch up the wounds in the MCU? Or is this a case where girls don’t get it done?
Let’s find out!
****The Marvels, is the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, combining superhero action, adventure, and a dash of humor. Starring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, Zawe Ashton, and Samuel L. Jackson, the film offers a rollercoaster of powers, personalities, and intergalactic conflict.
While Brie Larson’s performance felt a bit stiff, and Teyonah Parris delivered a solid portrayal, the standout was Iman Vellani, bringing an infectious energy to the screen as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel. They even give her the unique hand drawn animations that she had during the her first introduction in ‘Ms. Marvel.’ However, Zawe Ashton’s portrayal of the villain lacked depth and felt one-dimensional.
The narrative centers on a classic superhero dilemma – a villain with plans to exploit resources from other planets a remorseful main hero, who reluctantly teams up with someone from their past, and a new generation hero, all embark on a mission to thwart this cosmic threat.
The initial action scene, marked by powers causing random swaps, stands out as a thrilling spectacle. The camera work and score in this sequence add a layer of excitement and visual flair to the film.
The film’s pacing is solid, but it does leave room for an extended cut to fill the gaps left by the apparent editing choices. This likely won’t happen due to Marvel’s apprehension about releasing extended cuts.
While a touching moment is shared between Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau, character development is limited. The ending is satisfying, but it raises questions about ‘The Marvels’ timeline placement, particularly in relation to ‘Secret Invasion’. Marvel likely has plans to address this. If we are meant to treat that show as a parallel timeline that was pruned, that is sure to go over well with most fans.
The Marvels shows a more comedic and snarky Nick Fury. A far departure from his frowny and serious demeanor in Secret Invasion. He even gets to curse in quip in this movie.
This film may not have enough name recognition for the average moviegoer unfamiliar with every MCU detail. It’s a recommendation more apt for hardcore Marvel enthusiasts.
The Marvels offers a great time, especially for Marvel fans. The film is elevated by Iman Vellani’s outstanding performance and concludes with intriguing setups for future events. Iman Vellani’s portrayal of Ms. Marvel is a definite strength, but the film’s brevity leaves some important aspects underexplored.
While not the best Marvel movie of the year, The Marvels stands as a strong entry in the MCU lineup. Its impact on the wider film goer audience seems to be divisive, with opinions swinging between love and disappointment.
In conclusion, The Marvels injects fresh cosmic energy into the MCU. This may be a sequel to Captain Marvel, but Ms. Marvel takes center stage in this cosmic adventure. A mix of humor, high energy, and stunning visuals, despite some shortcomings, it offers an entertaining experience, setting the stage for the evolving Marvel narrative. If you were worried that the MCU is getting stale, this movie (Along with Loki) sparks the beginning of Marvel’s redemption arc. On a scale of 1-10, it earns a solid 7.5, leaving audiences eager for the next chapter in this superhero saga.
