When Captain Marvel took flight in 2019, expectations soared high. Fast forward to 2023, and ‘The Marvels’ movie attempts a grand convergence of Marvel’s mightiest women. But does this superhero spectacle achieve liftoff or remain frustratingly earthbound? Let’s dive into our spoiler-free review of ‘The Marvels’.
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Plot: A Cosmic Caper
‘The Marvels’ opens with Carol Danvers, Kamala Khan, and Monica Rambeau discovering their powers have become mysteriously entangled. Every use causes them to swap places, leading to both comedic mishaps and universe-threatening consequences.
The main threat emerges in Dar-Benn, a Kree warrior-scientist bent on restoring her home planet Hala, decimated in Captain Marvel’s previous mission. As the trio navigate their new dynamic, they must also confront Dar-Benn’s vengeful machinations that threaten the cosmos.
Character Chemistry: Marvel’s Mighty Women
‘The Marvels’ movie banks heavily on the star power and chemistry of its central trio:
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Brie Larson returns as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, grappling with the consequences of her past actions and learning to work alongside her new teammates.
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Newcomer Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan injects youthful enthusiasm as the wide-eyed superhero fangirl living her dream. Vellani’s effortless charm often becomes the film’s beating heart.
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Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau/Photon acts as a bridge between the two, harbouring her own complicated history with Danvers. Parris brings welcome depth and edge to the role.
Other standouts include Zawe Ashton’s intense Dar-Benn, Samuel L. Jackson’s reassuring Nick Fury, and Park Seo-joon’s dashing Prince Yan.
Villain: A Lacklustre Threat?
Unfortunately, ‘The Marvels’ stumbles in its portrayal of the main villain, Dar-Benn. Despite a committed performance by Zawe Ashton, the character lacks depth and clear motivations beyond a generic desire for revenge. This leaves the stakes feeling lower than they should be for a cosmic-scale conflict.
Action and Visuals: Cosmic Spectacle
Where ‘The Marvels’ movie excels is in its action sequences and visual effects. Director Nia DaCosta‘s direction brings a fresh energy to the MCU’s signature blend of superpowered fisticuffs and quippy one-liners. The set pieces are inventive and exhilarating, particularly when showcasing the heroines’ unique abilities and their mind-bending place-swapping predicament.
The film also benefits from stunning cosmic vistas and imaginative alien worlds, expanding the scope of the MCU in visually striking ways. Composer Laura Karpman’s score adds to the epic atmosphere, though it rarely reaches the memorable heights of other MCU soundtracks.
Reception and Box Office
‘The Marvels’ received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its lead performances and visual spectacle tempered by criticism of its underdeveloped villain and rushed pacing.
At the box office, ‘The Marvels’ movie underperformed compared to MCU standards, grossing around $206 million worldwide against a budget of $274.8 million. This makes it one of the lowest-grossing MCU films to date.
Behind the Scenes: Forging ‘The Marvels’
‘The Marvels’ movie journey to the screen saw its share of challenges:
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Original director Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, who helmed Captain Marvel, departed the project in early development.
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Nia DaCosta, known for her work on Candyman (2021), was tapped as the new director, becoming the first Black woman to direct an MCU film.
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Production was impacted by pandemic-related delays, with the release date pushing from July 2022 to November 2023.
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Reshoots and additional photography took place in early 2023 to refine the film’s tone and address test audience feedback.
Despite these hurdles, the cast and crew have spoken positively about DaCosta’s vision and leadership on set.
Did You Know? |
‘The Marvels’ is a fun, if flawed, addition to the MCU canon. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the franchise’s best, it still delivers an entertaining cosmic romp with engaging lead performances and dazzling visuals.
For fans eager to see more of Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau in action, ‘The Marvels’ movie is worth a watch. And for the ultimate viewing experience, consider upgrading to Airtel Xstream Fiber. With lightning-fast speeds and unlimited data, you can stream ‘The Marvels’ and all your favourite MCU films and shows in stunning HD without any buffering or interruptions. Plus, Airtel Xstream Fiber plans come bundled with subscriptions to popular OTT platforms, giving you access to a vast library of entertainment content at your fingertips.
FAQs
Is ‘The Marvels’ movie connected to previous Marvel films and shows?
Yes, ‘The Marvels’ serves as a sequel to ‘Captain Marvel’ (2019) and continues story threads from the ‘Ms. Marvel’ (2022) Disney+ series.
Do I need to watch ‘Captain Marvel’ and ‘Ms. Marvel’ before seeing ‘The Marvels’?
While not strictly necessary, familiarity with those earlier projects will provide helpful context for character dynamics and story elements in ‘The Marvels’.
Is ‘The Marvels’ appropriate for children?
Like most ‘Marvel’ films, ‘The Marvels’ features sci-fi action violence and some mature themes that may not be suitable for very young viewers. Parental discretion is advised.
Are there any post-credits scenes in ‘The Marvels’?
Following Marvel tradition, ‘The Marvels’ includes both a mid-credits and post-credits scene teasing future storylines.
Will there be a sequel to ‘The Marvels’?
No sequel has been officially announced, but the film’s ending and post-credits scenes suggest potential future adventures for the characters.