A visionary masterpiece that paints a very promising future for the MCU.
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After over 20 films in its roster, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) still manages to break boundaries and amaze us.
There’s a lot riding on Marvel Studios’ Eternals – the biggest MCU film since Endgame – and with Academy Award-winning director Chloe Zhao at the helm, expectations are high.
Boasting an ensemble cast consisting of the likes of Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Kit Harington, Don Lee, Barry Keoghan, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Harish Patel, and more; the film follows the Eternals—an immortal alien race created by the Celestials, secretly living on Earth for over 7,000 years—as they reunite to protect humanity from their evil counterparts, the Deviants.
The plot is simple but the journey to laying the groundwork is far from. The film’s long expositions almost taking up half of its 156-minute runtime may leave audiences feeling weary before the fun even begins. Thankfully, we are served with some of the most stunning landscapes and cinematography the MCU has ever seen. The cast also plays a big role in driving the film. In a film so complex, it is commendable that each actor successfully held their own.
Without diving too deep, worth mentioning are Nanjiani, Patel, Jolie, and Chan. With his track record, Nanjiani’s Kingo was always expected to be the comic relief but the addition of Patel as Karun his manager really raked in the laughs, challenging the humorous Thor: Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy films for the 'Funniest MCU Film' mantle (if it were a thing).
Jolie’s performance as badass elite warrior Thena is some of her best work to date, delivering what is hands down the most majestic combat woman of any superhero film. She is breathtaking in every scene she appears in.
Last but definitely not least is Chan, whose ethereal grace and beauty make her the perfect choice to portray Sersi, the empathetic Eternal. Her emotional performance is what grounds the film. Suffice to say, she is the heart of the Eternals.
Joining the likes of Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 and Dune, Marvel Studios’ Eternals brings the superhero genre to new heights allowing its action to take a back seat and instead, putting emphasis on its characters and set designs. There is a film of classiness and serenity that encapsulates this movie, giving it a regal edge over other superhero films before it. To Zhao’s credit, Marvel Studios’ Eternals is a visionary masterpiece that paints a very promising future for the MCU.
If the film in itself isn’t enough proof of that, then its two post-credit scenes definitely are.
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