Rating of
3/4
Fun and Done
Chris Kavan - wrote on 11/21/23
Even though box office numbers would have you think that The Marvels is scraping the bottom of the MCU barrel, I don't think it's the worst MCU film - I don't even think it's the worst MCU film of 2023 (Quantumania was a much bigger letdown IMO). As many reviewers have pointed out before me, The Marvels is fun - but this also means it doesn't feel like a major entry into the cannon. It feels a bit... slight, but I don't think that translates to bad but those hoping for the gravity of something like Endgame or even a Guardians of the Galaxy sequel - well, it's not that and I can understand why you want to wait for streaming.
While you don't have to watch WandaVision or Ms. Marvel to enjoy the film, I will say that previously viewing of the two series does help flesh out both the back story of Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Khamala Khan (Iman Vellani) - but the film does fill in the most important parts so you aren't missing out, but it goes by fast. Speaking of fast, at a sleek 1h 45m, this is short for an MCU film but uses that time wisely. The main cusp of the film is that new Kree leader Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) is mad that Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) destroyed the Kree's AI overloard, ushing in a civil war and essentially turning the home planet into a nigh-unihabitable wasteland. But she distovers a powerful bracelet that let's her tear holes into the fast-travel network - a sister bracelet that Ms. Khan owns (and gives her her powers) - and let's her pull a Spaceballs and suck resources from one planet and give it to her own. Thus she targets planets that Captain Marvel holds dear. Meanwhile, are three heroines discover that because of these tears, their powers have become entangled so that when they use them at the time, they switch places. Also, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is along for the ride, along with our favorite Goose flerken/not-cat, who is still hungry all the time (and, apprently, very fertile).
Where does the fun come in? While there are three main leads here, by far the most effective of the trio is also the youngest. Ms. Marvel herself, Iman Vellani, proves to be the lynchpin that keeps things flowing. She is obsessed with Captain Marvel, thus getting to meet her, partner with her and essentially save the world - it all she has dreamed of. Her infectious optimism and overall fan-girling makes for the best parts of this film. And she is so earnest in her performance you can't help but smile when she's on screen. Larson and Parris have their moments, but must play the more serious drama queens and it's just not as fun. Also, far removed from the dour and (rightfully) derided Secret Invasion, Jackson looks like he's much more.. loose as Fury in this film. Also, one of the biggest knocks I have for this film is how it seemingly invalidates most of the Secret Invasion storyline in a cheap cameo from Tessa Thompson;s Valkyrie (who may or may not be shagging Captain Marvel on the side).
It's also nice to see the Khan family - Muneeba (Zenobia Shroff ), Yusuf (Mohan Kapur) and Aamir (Saagar Shaikh) along for this ride. Plus the relationship that have with Khamala (and later the rest of the cast) is very much on point - even when aliens and secret space stations are involved. There is also a planet where people communicate by singing - and Park Seo-joon is the leader (and also married to Captain Marvel). It's weird but in a good way. I will say that The Marvels continues the trend of half-hearted villains as Ashton is pretty low-key even with her fancy bracelet and space sledge hammer. That being said - her plan is mighty nefarious but, like Thor's villain Gorr, also seems somewhat justified even if she pushes things just a bit too far (okay, a lot too far).
Also like many MCU films before it, the post-credit scenes open up some HUGE possibilites. No spoilers but maybe we're getting to something bigger and better on the horizon - because the MCU certainly needs a shot in the arm at this point and if it means rebooting the whole thing or going in a different direction, so be it. At the end of the day, The Marvels isn't the worst the MCU has to offer, nor is it the most important film in the series. It's a lot of fun to watch, however, and to me that counts for a lot.
