Cert – 12, Run-time – 1 hour 45 minutes, Director – Nia DaCosta
An uncovered ancient artefact may be the thing that links the power stealing key elements from multiple planets across the universe and the tangled powers of Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris).
Out of all of Marvel’s post-Endgame offerings the advertising for The Marvels has made it seem like it requires the most homework going in. Two series and a film minimum. And while our introduction to Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel (AKA Iman Vellani), and her family, is brief and would likely have best effect having seen her TV series (which I haven’t) the general context we need is eventually given as she teams up with Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) – who herself gets her eventual explanation of powers/ WandaVision wrap-up as the second act kicks in.
While a sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel this is undeniably a team movie. While Larson’s character leads key events and the core relationships link back to her character this is ever bit as much a film about Khan and Rambeau as it is Carol Danvers. In some ways it has to be as the three are tied together, whenever they use their powers they find themselves switching places, and so having to be close at all times. Flying across the universe in an attempt to track the artefact which triggered these circumstances, and provides the power to remove key elements from planets.
The figure using the artefact for just this, and seeking the unstoppable power of the second half, is Zawe Ashton’s Kree leader Dar-Benn. While limited in screen-time Ashton certainly has an effect when on screen with an enjoyable villainous performance, attempting to reconstruct her home planet via wormholes in space. In some ways she’s a simplistic villain for a more simplistic entry into the MCU. One more concerned with simply being an entertaining adventure than building up a universe, and even then it does one of the best jobs of showing Marvel’s future plans and building up interest in them out of most of their recent projects.
The three leads work well together to get across an entertaining feel, with plenty of fun, humour and colour along the way. After even Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 contained their fair deals of seriousness, The Marvels provides within its 105 minute run-time two of the goofiest ideas the studio has come up with in 33 films. Director Nia DaCosta, providing a definite tonal shift after her terrific Candyman requel, invests fully in such moments, making the most of them and allowing for them to flourish on screen. They’re a part of this world and story and there’s no shame to be found anywhere near such points.
Once things are built up and in position there’s plenty to enjoy within this film which doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s a breezy superhero flick at play with plenty of effective humour in both character personalities and the ways in which the central trio interact – developing beyond Kamala’s amusing initial fangirling when first encountering her heroic idol and Samuel L. Jackson’s Flerken-cuddling Nick Fury. You buy into their bond particularly as they grow closer and more open overtime, especially Carol as she learns to maintain her sternness and let her guard down every now and then outside of missions – one of the film’s highlights is a montage of the trio learning to master their powers and location switches.
For those who have been finding Marvel’s latest cinematic offerings as they form their latest saga weaker than previous features then The Marvels may well provide a much needed kick. A lighter adventure which zips along with plenty of entertainment value and a likable sense of care for its characters and their developing relationships and personalities. An effective solo venture for the team that are The Marvels.
By not taking itself too seriously, and bringing in some occasional goofiness, The Marvels makes for a light, breezy outing for its titular group, all of whom come together with enjoyable relationships and personalities which simply making for a simplistic, entertaining 105 minutes.
Just A Little Bit Random 