Like a streak of light across the sky, The Marvels arrives in theaters this weekend under the weight of everyone seeming to think the MCU is in complete and utter shambles and can’t make anything of quality ever again. Well it doesn’t seem like the folks behind this film got that memo as the movie leans into what became hallmarks of the Kevin Fiege production: a game cast, inventive spirit and joyous energy.
In The Marvels, the chickens of mistakes past come home to roost. In the aftermath of Captain Marvel’s defeat of the Supreme Intelligence, Dar-Benn, a Kree leader, sets off the proceedings by locating a bangle, similar to that of Ms. Marvel’s and using it to create jump points in space time. Her home planet Hala is in dire need of resources and she has been trying to find a way to restore the glory of the home world. Activating the bangle brings the attention of Captain Marvel and Monica Rabeau, who both violate a cardinal rule of investigating by not touching rips in space time, and end up entangled with Ms. Marvel and her powers. As the three women race to save not just the worlds they care about but the universe itself, they have to learn to live with their powers and rely on each other’s strengths.
It’s commendable that the approach with this movie was to try and get as streamlined as possible. Most of the issues with these superhero films at the studio are that they have become overwrought and bloated. In taking the approach of trying to cut the fat tfrom the story, we get a movie that has an incredible pace and timing. The Marvels uses that to make this among the lighter and more buoyant MCU films and allows for the performers to bounce off each other in fun ways. Nia DaCosta smartly manages the story and personalities, and delivers some fun action. It’s visually coherent (something er could not say about an MCU film that came out earlier this year) and impressive; swapping powers and places and people making for the movie’s best moments.
The trio of Brie Larsen, Iman Vellani, and Teyonah Paris is a winning one. Each of these women seem to be having a blast and all bring something unique to the picture. Vellani, of course, steals the show as Ms. Marvel, her youthful enthusiasm and strong character choices making her the movie’s strong emotional center.
Zawe Ashton, so thrillingly duplicitous in Mr. Malcolm’s List, acquits herself well to playing a baddie but the movie doesn’t seem quite interested in grounding her too much and she’s the only one really suffer from lack of characterization. Because the movie moves so quickly, we don’t get to really sink in with the character, having to deal with the massive ramifications of a movie from five years ago. It didn’t curl all the way over for me, despite her being a very real threat for the characters themselves.
In this respect The Marvels likely could have done with a little bit more around the edges. It’s a tough thing to try and establish the correct pace and tone for the movie, and they did, but still feel like there may have been some meat on the bone to tackle. However, the film overall worked for me and I enjoyed getting to spend time with the characters in the meaningful ways we were able to get.