BY SONIA NG
Marvel Studios Eternals is exactly what Marvel needs to move into a new era of storytelling. Despite an overwhelming amount of negative feedback from critics, the movie is anything but a failure. Were there parts that could have been altered? Sure, but at the end of the day this movie is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece.
The very first shots of the film set the tone of Eternals loud and clear. It is big, it is bold yet it is also intimate and intricate. The play on contrasting sizes between the celestials and the characters and settings around them truly show the difference between this film and other Marvel films. Eternals is an intimate story about a much bigger picture woven within a powerful script and chilling cinematography. It is a fresh, new take on the superhero genre that fans, such as myself, welcome with open arms.
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The portrayal of betrayal, family and love is one set for the history book. Eternals proves that family is always complicated but that does not mean you get to turn your back on them. Despite the conflicting beliefs of each character, most of the Eternals choose to protect one another rather than hurt each other. The beautiful build up of the relationships amongst the Eternals makes the ultimate betrayal of Ikaris (Richard Madden) a painful and heart wrenching one. The eventual forgiveness between Sersi (Gemma Chan) and Sprite (Lia Mchugh) reflect how relationships truly are in the real world. It is not a neat package wrapped up in a bow but a cycle of learning how to forgive one another for wrongdoings that are not the other's fault.
The relationship between Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) and his husband is a beautiful representation that has been a long time coming. Director, Chloe Zhao, does not make Phastos’s relationship seem like something out of the ordinary. Instead she has made them extremely ordinary which further proves that LGBTQ+ families are just like any other family. Full of love and hope, Phastos has a family that all of us aspire to have.
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Within the film, there are two timelines. One set in the past and another set in present day. The way Chloe has ushered the film between both timelines is extremely well controlled and comes across as extremely natural. The time jumps occur at perfect timings, allowing for explanation and building up the world of the Eternals. Time jumps can be tricky, with many films unable to execute them well, yet Eternals has made it seem effortless.
The choreography within the film is also something that has to be discussed. Unlike many past superhero films, the fight sequences for Eternals is nothing short of elegance and grace. Thena’s (Angelina Jolie) style of fighting involves big bold movements that are executed with sophistication and grace. Gilgamesh (Don Lee) fights with an elegance that one would assume is not possible for the harsh moves that are involved. Makkari (Lauren Ridloff) truly stands out, with her choreography as she runs with such poise and fights with such strength yet somehow it seems so delicate and intricate. The fight sequences alone are truly something to behold.
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Despite being an ensemble film, each character does get their moment to shine. Though some get more coverage than others, each character does feel fleshed out and of equal importance. Gilgamesh is a character whose death hit the hardest. With his hilarious punchlines and warm personality, Gilgamesh was a big teddy bear who looked after Thena with such care and kindness. It is truly a shame that we did not get to see more of him as a character. Other characters like Druig (Barry Keoghan) and Makkari steal the show despite having significantly less screen time. The chemistry between both characters is something out of a fairy tale; the telepath who doesn’t talk much and the thinker who is unable to. Makkari’s scream when Druig was “killed” was one of the most gut wrenching scenes in the film. Their eventual reunion will have audiences rooting for them as a pair with the scene showing just how much they both care for one another. Hopefully, we will get to see more of these two in upcoming MCU projects.
Throughout the film, audiences are under the impression that Ikaris is a good guy. He proves to be loyal and unwavering in his loyalties which makes his ultimate betrayal all the more atrocious. The way Chloe and Richard brought this character to the screen will make audiences yearn for more when it comes to character storylines for future MCU projects. His eventual death, a wonderful play on the myth of Icarus, is questionable. Allowing him to live with his decisions and how those decisions have affected his future relationships with the other Eternals would have been an interesting storyline to play with in a potential sequel but alas that was not meant to be.
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Watching the film, audiences will be transported to another realm entirely. It does not feel like an MCU film yet somehow it does. The visuals and graphics are excellent, playing well into the environment the characters are placed in. The way the powers of each Eternal is portrayed is so different from any other superhero film. In particular the way Makkari’s powers are portrayed really sets her apart from all the other speedsters in the superhero world, be it DC or Marvel.
Eternals truly captures and reflects the lives and relationships of regular humans. To see it played out on a big screen is nothing short of amazing. The diverse cast mixed with the rich storytelling and amazing cinematography makes Eternals a must watch for all Marvel fans. With a masterpiece like this, the new era of the MCU has truly been brought to a whole new level.