“The Marvels” is certainly entertaining enough as a piece of escapist fare.
But for those expecting some grand entry into Marvel Cinematic Universe canon, it’s decidedly “meh.”
A borderline boring villain, lower stakes and some general choppiness make for a mixed viewing experience. The baddie in this case: Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), who is, of course, bent on revenge.
Yes, it’s actually a bit more complicated than that. Dar-Benn, a member of the Cree, wants nothing more than to save her planet and will do so by plundering the resources of other worlds. Of course, this sets off alarm bells for Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), better known as Captain Marvel, who cannot allow that to happen.
She won’t be alone, however. A mishap of a sci-fi variety entangles her with contemporaries who possess similar powers. Kamala Khan, a.k.a. Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), Danvers’ now-adult niece from the first Captain Marvel film, have to join forces to stop genocide. Although they can be in vastly different places, if they use their powers simultaneously, they flip spots. That fact brings them together in an effort to save the galaxy from Dar-Benn’s plans.
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It also happens to be the strongest element of the film as the trio, though vastly different, possesses a chemistry on screen that contributes to giving the film a light, breezy tone overall. Clocking in under two hours (a shock for an MCU film), it’s about entertaining first.
To that end, Nia DaCosta (“Candyman”), directing from a screenplay she co-wrote with Marvel veterans Megan McDonnell (“Wanda Vision”) and Elissa Karasik (“Loki”), take the best elements of their shared Marvel experiences — the inherent sense of humor and playfulness that can generally be found in all the projects — and use it to give the film a sense of quirkiness that serves it well.
It does so well enough to help the viewer forget its shortcomings, which contribute to an overall jagged tone.
Thankfully, the trio of lead actors each bring something to the table. In Larson and Parris, there’s intelligence and strength with each having a flair for sarcasm. Their past life together also helps to add just a touch of the human element. Vellani brings unbridled enthusiasm to the screen, but while her character is basking in the glow of working with her idol, the teen is forced to grow up upon realizing the stakes.
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There exist no grand revelations in “The Marvels.” For the MCU, it’s mostly a one-off with little in the way of ramifications for the broader storyline.
That’s doesn’t mean, however, there’s nothing to be teased for fans. One post-credit scene confirms past rumors related to another Marvel property, and a second will have fans salivating.
George M. Thomas dabbles in film and television for the Beacon Journal.
Review
Movie: “The Marvels”
Cast: Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani
Directed by: Nia DaCosta
Running time: 1 hour 46 minutes
Rated: PG-13 for action/violence and brief language
Grade: B-
