After over a year of movie delays, Marvel is back on schedule. Only a few short months after the last theatrical installment (Shang-Chi, in September), the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues with Eternals. Based on the characters in the Marvel comics of the same name written by Jack Kirby and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao, Eternals follows a group of super-powered beings who have been on Earth for centuries.
Eternals has an ensemble cast of heroes, each with their own unique ability. There’s Ajak (Salma Hayek), the leader of the Eternals, who has the ability to heal. Sersi (Gemma Chan) an Eternal who can manipulate and change matter, is in love with humanity. Ikaris (Richard Madden) has the ability to shoot lasers out of his eyes and fly. Thena (Angelina Jolie) is a warrior Eternal who can create any weapon out of thin air. Kingo (Kumail Nanjani) can project energy projectiles from his hands and becomes a Bollywood star on Earth. Sprite (Lia McHugh) is an Eternal who can create lifelike illusions, and she has the physical appearance of a child. Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) is the inventor of the group, and the first gay superhero in an MCU film. Makkari (Lauren Ridloff) is the first deaf superhero in the MCU and has super speed. Druig (Barry Keoghan) is an Eternal who can control others’ minds. And finally, Gilgamesh (Don Lee), the strongest Eternal, has a deep connection with Thena. After centuries apart, this team is forced to reunite to defeat an ancient threat that has reawakened.
Eternals takes full advantage of the time that its characters have been around for, delivering a journey that spans centuries and continents. Zhao delivers some spectacular landscape shots and does an incredible job showcasing each of the Eternals’ unique powers. The Eternals themselves have an elegant beauty in their costumes and weapons. Each weapon and illusion is shimmering gold and gives an aura of ancient magic. Each character has a unique color for their outfit, all in rich jewel tones. Their costumes identify them as a team, while still defining each character as their own hero.
The theme of humanity shines strongly throughout the story, as the Eternals are present for all the ups and downs humans that have experienced since the dawn of time. Despite seeming to be above humanity, the Eternals have their own flaws that make them deeply relatable despite their long lifespan and larger-than-life presence.
Even with the ensemble cast of characters, several actors give standout performances. Gemma Chan dominates as Sersi, captivating the audience by showcasing elements of the character’s quiet strength and compassion. Chan brings a sensitive side to the role that female heroes hardly ever get the chance to show. Lia McHugh also stands-out, showcasing the complexities of the emotion that one would feel being trapped in the body of a child for millennia.
A die-hard fan of Marvel and the cinematic universe they’ve been building for over ten years will appreciate the work that Eternals is doing to set up the next stage in the epic saga. Many characters and locations are introduced that are sure to be important in a later Marvel film. However, new and old fans alike are likely to get lost in the expanse of lore crammed into a two hour and thirty-seven minute runtime.
Marvel fans who don’t want to miss a second of the story should absolutely add Eternals to their watch list. Casual viewers may just want to skim a plot summary on the way to the theater of whatever the next big crossover film is. Either way, don’t be surprised when “Eternals movie explained” ends up a Google suggested search.
3.5/5 STARS