Opening up with a Blade Runner-esque text prologue, Chloé Zhao's benefaction to the (quite eternally at this point) Marvel Cinematic Universe immediately pulls us into a beachside action set piece that establishes our colorful cast of heroes. This prologue segways into Time by Pink Floyd, the second time time the band has been utilized in the Marvel canon; and while the usage of popular classics has grown to cringe-inducing levels in the past several years, this fits both thematically and somewhat ironically. You truly feel that Time passes throughout the story as we follow ten cosmic beings who must face their destiny in saving Earth from their dastardly counterparts that resemble the aliens from A Quiet Place.
It's suffice to say that the premise and first few minutes can immediately engage our audience even if the rest of the film isn't the sum of its parts. It's already apparent that Eternals may just be the most divisive MCU installment since Thor: The Dark World, but no need to worry: Eternals eclipses the latter in just about every sense. It isn't just that it brings sections of the universe full circle, it's that it utilizes Zhao's direction in its near three-hour runtime, and we can make even more sense of her overnight success from Nomadland. I was quite surprised by how much maturity has been brought to the universe, coming off the heels of Avengers: Endgame. In some ways this is a return to form to the early days of Iron Man when the creative forces that be were still trying to find their identity in the grand scheme of things, and Eternals on its own succeeded in many ways.
Zhao bridges the B-movie allure of many modern super efforts (especially in its costumes) with her prestigious background- and its crowning achievement to be sung in many reviews will be Ben Davis's cinematography. What many will tell you about some of the genre hall-of fame films is where they illuminate the brightest is their ability to make you forget you're watching a superhero film, whether it'd be in writing or aesthetics. Eternals most certainly wins in the latter with its naturalistic locations, sightful evocations of isolation, storm clouds, you name it. One can most certainly believe the press notes of her influence from Terrence Malick. The battle sequences and effects are as appealing as some of Marvel's best films, and in some cases even more brutal.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe may be diverse in characters and varying genres throughout the years; but none have transcended the supercapes genre like only a select few have. Sadly, even Eternals' geek roots are too obvious, and much of that comes from Marvel's usual brand of hit-and miss humor. It's understandable that in a generation of irony, many fans will want these movies breaded and buttered in self-deprecation and "I know I'm watching a blockbuster" mechanics; but here the results are uneven though thankfully not to Thor: The Dark World status eye-brow raising. One moment that comes close to that is during the climax and a decision with a character arc that partly amounts to a punchline.
Despite some tonal deficiencies, one issue that certain critics have brought up, the runtime, is thankfully not much to differ. Instead of a breakneck speed, Zhao's direction takes its time to make every one of us care about the Eternals. So much so that a character tragedy is carefully concealed and makes way for much needed third-act tension.
Like many other TV stars, Gemma Chan is one who had trouble translating her small-screen bed of roses to a silver one. Now she's played not one but two MCU characters (double-dipping in the comic book field is quite the trend amongst popular actors these days), and her turn as Sersi should be proof that she can lend herself to dramatic leads in the future. Her chemistry with Richard Madden's Ikaris is part of what makes them the ones who carry the cast on their shoulders; Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Kumail Nanjiani are all engaging and funny to varying results. Let's also not forget seasoned actresses Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie. The former makes the most of her limited screentime, and Mrs. Jolie is up there with our two leads as Thena. Fans will await for her return in a future installment.
Eternals is at least half a leap forward for its respective universe in terms of maturity; a giant one in aesthetic, craftsmanship and representation; and a lateral move for Chloé Zhao's career. In a world of apples and oranges, prestigious films and blockbusters, she's another example of that you can commit to both. And let's also lay to rest the rumors of Disney bribing critics; recent Rotten Tomatoes history has showcased Dumbo, The Rise of Skywalker and Eternals- I can name more.
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars.
It's suffice to say that the premise and first few minutes can immediately engage our audience even if the rest of the film isn't the sum of its parts. It's already apparent that Eternals may just be the most divisive MCU installment since Thor: The Dark World, but no need to worry: Eternals eclipses the latter in just about every sense. It isn't just that it brings sections of the universe full circle, it's that it utilizes Zhao's direction in its near three-hour runtime, and we can make even more sense of her overnight success from Nomadland. I was quite surprised by how much maturity has been brought to the universe, coming off the heels of Avengers: Endgame. In some ways this is a return to form to the early days of Iron Man when the creative forces that be were still trying to find their identity in the grand scheme of things, and Eternals on its own succeeded in many ways.
Zhao bridges the B-movie allure of many modern super efforts (especially in its costumes) with her prestigious background- and its crowning achievement to be sung in many reviews will be Ben Davis's cinematography. What many will tell you about some of the genre hall-of fame films is where they illuminate the brightest is their ability to make you forget you're watching a superhero film, whether it'd be in writing or aesthetics. Eternals most certainly wins in the latter with its naturalistic locations, sightful evocations of isolation, storm clouds, you name it. One can most certainly believe the press notes of her influence from Terrence Malick. The battle sequences and effects are as appealing as some of Marvel's best films, and in some cases even more brutal.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe may be diverse in characters and varying genres throughout the years; but none have transcended the supercapes genre like only a select few have. Sadly, even Eternals' geek roots are too obvious, and much of that comes from Marvel's usual brand of hit-and miss humor. It's understandable that in a generation of irony, many fans will want these movies breaded and buttered in self-deprecation and "I know I'm watching a blockbuster" mechanics; but here the results are uneven though thankfully not to Thor: The Dark World status eye-brow raising. One moment that comes close to that is during the climax and a decision with a character arc that partly amounts to a punchline.
Despite some tonal deficiencies, one issue that certain critics have brought up, the runtime, is thankfully not much to differ. Instead of a breakneck speed, Zhao's direction takes its time to make every one of us care about the Eternals. So much so that a character tragedy is carefully concealed and makes way for much needed third-act tension.
Like many other TV stars, Gemma Chan is one who had trouble translating her small-screen bed of roses to a silver one. Now she's played not one but two MCU characters (double-dipping in the comic book field is quite the trend amongst popular actors these days), and her turn as Sersi should be proof that she can lend herself to dramatic leads in the future. Her chemistry with Richard Madden's Ikaris is part of what makes them the ones who carry the cast on their shoulders; Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Kumail Nanjiani are all engaging and funny to varying results. Let's also not forget seasoned actresses Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie. The former makes the most of her limited screentime, and Mrs. Jolie is up there with our two leads as Thena. Fans will await for her return in a future installment.
Eternals is at least half a leap forward for its respective universe in terms of maturity; a giant one in aesthetic, craftsmanship and representation; and a lateral move for Chloé Zhao's career. In a world of apples and oranges, prestigious films and blockbusters, she's another example of that you can commit to both. And let's also lay to rest the rumors of Disney bribing critics; recent Rotten Tomatoes history has showcased Dumbo, The Rise of Skywalker and Eternals- I can name more.
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars.