It’s hard to talk about The Marvels on its own merit, given that ever since it was announced, everything was going against this film. From many fans discussing whether we have superhero fatigue or are we not simply getting “the good stuff” we have gotten accustomed to, to many others having a problem with this movie because of the cast (some people really can’t stand Brie Larson for reasons), I was never so sure that an MCU movie will bomb. Not because I wanted it to, but because many had decided this film would be the worst thing ever months before it was released. And honestly, it’s a shame it’s bombing at the box office because if you put everything else aside and focus on the movie itself, it’s actually pretty fun.
What I admire about The Marvels is that it is a movie that knows what it is, what it wants to be and say and just goes with it. It doesn’t take itself too seriously but also hits you emotionally at times, and it’s all due to our three leading actresses, Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani. Especially Iman and her Ms. Marvel was a highlight of every scene she was in as she was purely vibing; there is no other way to describe it. She understands and mirrors her character so well as Ms. Marvel needs to get used to the fact she is a superhero, the same way Iman is getting used to her being in the big leagues and being famous, and I am honestly so happy for her. She radiates joy on and off the screen, and I hope she won’t lose it. I am all in for her to be one of the centre figures for the next MCU stage.
Where Iman brought vibes and fun, Brie and Teyonah brought the soul of this movie. At first, I wasn’t sure about their “conflict”, but once we got the flashback from Monica’s (Teyonah’s character) perspective, it all clicked and felt real. The relationship between her and Captain Marvel helped ground this movie full of space hijinx. What also helped was that once all three ladies were on the screen together, their chemistry was off the charts. I enjoyed their interactions; I liked how their powers were intertwined, and they had to figure out the best way to utilize that to their advantage. It was mainly those three actresses and the chemistry between them that I enjoyed The Marvels.
Where the film lost me slightly is the MCU’s biggest weakness ever since it started – the villain. Yes, Marvel has delivered some great villains over the years, but mostly, they are not memorable or that much menacing. Zawe Ashton, aka Dar-Benn, was perfectly fine, and the actress did as best as she could with her role. Ultimately, the problem was that they had to cram so much backstory into this film that we never truly see Dar-Benn as the complex villain she should have been. Especially in today’s world, full of wars where more and more people realise not everything is black or white, her character and what she stands for should have been one of the most complex arcs in the MCU. But since there is not enough time to delve into her past fully, it all feels rushed. And again, this is not Zawe’s fault; this is Marvel being Marvel, again.
I believe they forgot how they became so big – by taking chances. How cool would it be, since Marvel has to release 12.409 TV shows by the end of 2025, if one show was about Dar-Benn and how she became this leader who was there for her people? How interesting would it be if we had gotten a limited show where Captain Marvel, one of the mightiest superheroes ever, is viewed as a supervillain by an entire civilization, and we would see Dar-Benn’s rise through the civil war and chaos that ensued once Captain Marvel was done “saving” their planet? And I am not even talking about this show having eight episodes. Give us two or three as almost a prequel to this movie. That way, her character would have been much more impactful, and The Marvels would stand a chance to resonate more with people and say something more than this surface-level stuff.
One thing I didn’t expect is how silly this movie will be. From the visit to the planet that’s 99.6% covered by water (I won’t tell you what happens there, you just need to see it) to a surprising song from a famous musical that makes so much sense, and it’s also silly as fuck. And this is where I need to go back to my point from the beginning of this review. I think that if this exact movie were directed by someone like James Gunn, with little to no changes, people would be tripping over themselves, praising how quirky and fun it is. And yet, when Nia DaCosta tries to give The Marvels its unique flair, people are suddenly over it. What a weird thing… Isn’t it?
Look, The Marvels isn’t amongst the top echelon of the MCU; that’s not what I am saying. But it is a fun movie with silly moments mixed with more serious stuff; it knows what it is and how to have fun. It also has a generic villain you will forget about the next day. And what I just did there is I described about 70% of all the MCU. But it’s only this movie that is the box office bomb, and people are “very angry with”… I wonder why… Anyway, I don’t think it deserves all the bashing this film is currently getting, and I hope people will give it a chance and not pre-judge it because they heard how bad it is. See it for yourself; give it a chance.
Overall, The Marvels was a fun time in the cinemas. I enjoyed my time with all three leads; I liked how we finally got the confirmation of what is coming next for the MCU (yes, I am talking about the middle of the credits scene), and I can’t wait to see more of Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel in the MCU. Sure, the villain is a bit bland, but the rest of the film held my attention, and I enjoyed myself. It’s definitely not the worst MCU movie, not by a mile. And if you are looking for something fun to watch, I would recommend The Marvels.
That’s all for this one! Did you see it? What did you think about it? Let me know!
Until next time,
Luke