Review: THE MARVELS Is a Surprisingly Fun and Delightful Adventure
In the early years of Marvel movies, the Marvel Cinematic Universe became synonymous with epic storytelling, awesome action, and memorable characters that fans loved. In recent years some fans have felt that the studio has started to lose some of its mojo. Well, Marvel’s latest movie, The Marvels, actually ended up being a lot better than I was expecting, and it offers a thrilling, action-packed, and surprisingly tight narrative that will leave fans eagerly anticipating the future of the MCU.
Leading up to the release of the movie, Marvel has been promising a huge moment where fans need to "be there for the moment that changes everything." I won’t spoil what that moment is, but I will say that it doesn’t come until the post-credits scene. However, yes… it's a game-changer that will undoubtedly have fans buzzing and speculating about what's to come in the future. There have been a lot of rumors and speculation about this moment and you’ll get to experience it for yourself soon.
At the heart of the film is the charismatic and endearing Kamala Khan, portrayed with infectious energy by Iman Vellani. Kamala's journey is a pivotal aspect of The Marvels, and her character brings a refreshing and enjoyable dynamic to the story. The character is the heart of the story and she represents the next generation of heroes in the MCU.
Brie Larson reprises her role as Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, and the movie showcases the character's evolution and offers additional insight into her backstory and what she’s been up to over the years. Her backstory is the key to what sparks the motivations of the villain. Teyonah Parris is also back as Monica Rambeau, and the film definitely takes her story arc in an interesting direction that the audience probably won’t see coming. There’s really a charming and enjoyable dynamic between Kamala, Carol, and Monica. Of course, Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury is, as always, a scene-stealer.
One of the more underwhelming aspects of the movie was how Zawe Ashton's Dar-Benn villain was handled. The character development was underwhelming and unfortunately falls flat in comparison to some of the other villains in the MCU. Dar-Benn's motivations and backstory felt rushed, and it's disappointing that the antagonist's journey isn't given more depth and nuance, as it could have added an extra layer of complexity to the narrative. Ashton gives a good performance, but unfortunately, the character is one of the movie's weakest aspects. There are a few other things that didn’t quite work, but it didn’t kill the enjoyment factor of the film for me.
Nia DaCosta's direction is strong and her vision brings out the best in the characters, and action sequences, making The Marvels a visually cool and immersive experience. I also enjoyed the humor and charm that she injected into the story. She made a movie that was definitely better than the first Captain Marvel movie.
Producer Kevin Feige continues to weave the threads of the MCU together, ensuring that The Marvels fits seamlessly into the larger tapestry of this cinematic universe. It's clear that Marvel Studios has a plan for the future, and this film opens a big exciting door for what is coming.
I initially wasn’t really excited about The Marvels, but it exceeded my expectations and delivers a thrilling, action-packed adventure that promises exciting developments for the MCU and will leave fans eagerly anticipating what’s coming next.
