Marvel Studios has produced hit after hit, and while many of their films have avoided following the same formula, we all too often see things wrap up with a CG-heavy final battle. That works better for some stories than others, but it’s never a bad thing when they head down a different route (like Loki’s finale being a verbal sparring contest between He Who Remains and the two Gods of Mischief). Well, Eternals definitely delivers a take on the MCU unlike anything that’s come before, and while it occasionally struggles, you’ll want to sit back, buckle in, and prepare yourself for an epic, sweeping tale that takes this franchise to brave, thrilling, and occasionally baffling new places.
Before we get to the good (and there’s a lot here that’s not just good, but great), it can't be denied that Eternals is burdened by the weight of too many characters. It works as an introduction to Dane Whitman, for example, but spending more time with him or better exploring the superheroes who make up this team would have greatly benefited the movie as a whole. It would have meant losing a few of them, but as interesting as Druig’s outlook on humanity is and as fun as watching Makkari and Gilgamesh in action proves to be, we’d cut them in an instant if it meant taking a deeper dive into Phastos becoming disillusioned with humanity or Sprite’s struggle with being stuck in a child’s body. The team is too big, and that does a disservice to many of them. The Deviants actually serve the story nicely, and with unique, striking designs, watching them in action is often a highlight. Kro, however, is not. One of the MCU’s worst villains to date, there’s no reason for him to be part of the movie and his rushed story arc proves to be a waste of what could have been a great future potential big bad voiced by actor Bill Skarsgård.
Despite the occasional stumble, rest assured Eternals is a movie that both deepens the MCU mythology and sets the stage for stories we’re already champing at the bit to see play out. There’s a lot of world-building, with the movie often at its best when it explores and expands on the role the Celestials have played in this universe up until now. However, as thrilling as that might be for fans, it’s the romance at the heart of this movie we rather appropriately fell in love with. Ikaris and Sersi’s relationship has spanned thousands of years and proves crucial to everything we see play out. This isn’t your typical superhero movie love story and Eternals is the better for it. The love these two have for each other has spanned countless lifetimes, and the complexities that brings to their relationship - particularly with where we find them here - is fascinating. So too is the moral dilemma these heroes find themselves presented with upon learning what the emergence of a Celestial means for Earth; these are characters with their own opinions and feelings, some of which you’ll like and some you won’t. It makes this movie all the more interesting when a character you’ve grown to love makes what you feel to be the wrong decision, only for you to then put yourself in their shoes and understand why, for them, it’s the right one. In many ways Marvel Studios’ most thought-provoking piece of filmmaking, director Chloé Zhao proves herself a good fit for exploring (some of) these heroes in a meaningful way.
While the filmmaker never quite feels like a natural fit for a story like this one, there’s no denying that the visuals are often breathtaking and enough to leave you in awe as you witness the story unfold. The action scenes are extremely well choreographed and exciting, though the decision to use so many practical sets, while lovely to look at, in many ways rob this movie of feeling as grand as it probably should have. There are quite a few moments that needed to feel more epic in scale rather than being little more than a blatant showcase of Ben Davis’ undeniably impressive cinematography. It’s also a shame that, to a certain extent, Ramin Djawadi’s score too often fades into the background unnoticed (he at least makes up for this during the final act).
Skarsgård aside, each cast member is given the opportunity to shine to varying degrees. Angelina Jolie feels somewhat wasted in a supporting role, but brings a sense of grace and fierceness to Thena that makes the character stand out. Lauren Ridloff (Makkari), Don Lee (Gilgamesh), Barry Keoghan (Druig), and Brian Tyree Henry (Phastos) all deliver solid performances, albeit not enough to make seeing more of them feel like too much of a priority. Kumail Nanjiani, however, is a highlight as Kingo; making his transformation into Hollywood leading man look effortless, the actor shines in every scene and brings a lot to the table here as a solid all-rounder who promises to be a worthy addition to the MCU in any franchise (Harish Patel is also superb as Kingo's right-hand-man). Harington impresses in a minor role as Dane, while Lia McHugh (Sprite) is never overshadowed and does a terrific job putting herself on the map as a star to watch. Ultimately, this movie belongs to Gemma Chan and Richard Madden, with the latter being Eternals' MVP. Chan, making up for her minor role in Captain Marvel with a soulful performance, is brilliant, but Madden’s complicated, captivating portrayal of Ikaris shows why he’s quickly become one of the most must-see actors working today. He’s phenomenal in the role and someone we’re dying to see more of in the MCU, or any major franchise (Bond!), moving forward.
Eternals might not be for everyone, but it’s a worthy addition to the MCU pantheon and a movie that is vastly more interesting and insightful than your standard superhero fare. There are times Zhao feels out of her depth, while the overstuffed nature of the movie means that not every character is serviced in a way that feels fitting. However, with some jaw-dropping visuals, a compelling story, and plenty of surprises, you’ll be engrossed from the very beginning and unable to look away right up until two unmissable post-credit scenes.
A powerful, sweeping exploration of love, life, and the MCU’s history, Eternals occasionally stumbles, but when it soars, this is Marvel Studios at its magnificent best.