Although flawed, Eternals is lots of fun, thought-provoking, visually stunning, and a welcome breath of fresh air for the MCU.
Overall Score: 8/10
Image: Marvel Studios / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
*WARNING: SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED*
The Marvel movies of the past decade have mostly been commercially and critically successful. But after more than 20 installments, one may start to notice that many of these films are more similar than they seem at first glance. It’s not that they’re bad, it’s just that many of them are rather forgettable and unoriginal. Sure, Marvel’s made groundbreaking movies such as Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame, but ones like Ant-Man and the Wasp and even Captain Marvel have little to no chance of standing out in the already overcrowded superhero movie genre.
That’s where Eternals comes in. Every now and then we get a film like this that breaks away from the usual template established by the larger franchise it belongs to. And by experimenting with new tones and themes, Eternals cements itself as something memorable and wholly unconventional.
There’s a lot that works here. The movie is beautifully shot, has a terrific and noteworthy score, and its use of CGI is artistic and masterful. And although its scope is massive and cosmic in nature, the film somehow manages to be the MCU’s most human story yet.
This is largely thanks to the Eternals themselves, who are presented as morally complex individuals. For instance, you have Ikaris, a great example of someone who is deeply conflicted. He believes he has to see his mission through no matter what, even if it means having to kill the very people he considers his family. His betrayal is well executed and you can feel the tension between him and the rest of the Eternals. It isn’t usually done by Marvel, but the use of internal conflict and clashing ideologies to turn a hero into a villain is very compelling.
Another interesting character is Druig. He believes that he and his fellow Eternals should do more to stop human violence (since they have the power to do so). Therefore, he naturally begins to question the nature of his mission after being repeatedly told not to interfere in human conflict. Seeing the people he has sworn to protect and come to love tearing each other apart is what ultimately compels him to abandon his team and purpose, allowing him to look after humans as he alone sees fit.
Some of the other Eternals aren’t as developed as the aforementioned ones, but that doesn’t stop any of them from making a lasting impression. Thena and Makkari, for example, steal every scene they’re in. All of the characters feel fleshed out and we spend just enough time with each of them to really care.
Another thing the movie excels at is exploring complex moral questions, with the most important being whether “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” It puts the titular heroes in a tight spot, forcing them to consider whether or not humans are worth saving, and whether they have the right to rebel against the Celestials and prevent the births of billions more. While this is certainly up for debate, the movie makes a strong case for humanity, stating that we may indeed be responsible for violence and hatred, but that we’re also capable of showing love and compassion.
Eternals should also be applauded for its diverse cast. It features Marvel’s first deaf and gay superheroes, and it boasts equal representation across the board. And because it includes so many different types of characters, anyone, no matter how they identify, can appreciate and enjoy the film.
All positives aside, however, the movie does suffer from a couple of issues. Upon first watching it, the pacing during the first hour felt a little off, some of the humor didn’t land, and the ever-evolving Deviant leader didn’t make all that much sense to me. In fact, it might’ve been better off if it had been split into two films, with the first focusing on the Eternals hunting down the Deviants, and the second on the big twist and their mission to save Earth.
But even in its imperfection, it’s undeniable that the movie should get points for its ambition. Furthermore, after having watched Eternals a second time (armed fully with the knowledge of how the story unfolds), I was able to pick up more details and understand more of it, making the experience of viewing the film — at least for me — much more engaging and rewarding.
It should also be noted, I think, that Eternals reinforces a truth we all overlook far too often when it comes to cinema: not all movies are perfect and sometimes it’s okay that they aren’t. The fact that a film can still manage to generate lots of conversation and controversy months after its release (just as Eternals has done) is a positive sign, as it means that it was successful in making an impact. This feels like Marvel taking a page out of DC’s book, and I for one am glad that they’ve finally done so.
Eternals isn’t perfect by any means. In fact, it’s one of Marvel’s most flawed movies. But by breaking the traditional MCU mold and trying something new, the film manages to deliver something unique and truly special. It may not be a movie that immediately puts a smile on your face, but it’s one that will likely earn your appreciation and give you a lot to think about.
Comments