An Overlooked, Fun Marvel Adventure (The Marvels spoiler-free review)

 

This is probably the closest thing to a Marvel team-up we will get for a while, and it is unfortunate that the drama within the media surrounding this film is based on reasons that are not progressive. However, that is not what we are here to talk about. The Marvels is the latest entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bringing back Carol Danvers in her latest adventure with Nick Fury and some newfound partnerships with Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan. 

The Marvels is set 33 years after the first Captain Marvel movie, where Carol is still trying to save the universe and she thinks she's the only one who can. After the events of WandaVision, Monica is now working with Fury with her new set of powers in his new project called S.A.B.E.R. while Kamala Khan continues to be the giddy, new superhero that protects the residents of New Jersey but an unworldly event connects her mysterious bangle to both Monica and Carol. Due to this cosmic event involving the Kree supremacist, Dar Benn, the three randomly switch places when they use their powers. 

Being more silly and fun, this time around (in a time where silly and fun does not particularly bode well for Marvel), The Marvels is lighthearted, has a message that sticks, and manages to have more depth than given credit for. The one worry that stuck before it was released was the runtime because it seemed impossible to tell something as complicated as this in an hour and 45 minutes. Luckily, the runtime was enough. Nothing overstayed its welcome, it was fast-paced, not rushed, and had time to keep fans invested with these characters and their subsequent point of view. It is hard not to admit that there were some editing choices that could have been improved but they were easy to miss because of everything going on. 

The Marvels is not as bombastic as most Marvel or any action film even with its well-choreographed fight scenes. The story is pretty simple, almost cliche which might frustrate some but the actors that fill up the screen make up for it. Brie Larson shows off her acting chops much better than she did in the first film. She is Carol Danvers through and through, with her arc portraying the weight of the world on her shoulders and how she learns to carry it with others. We also discover more of what happened between the first film and Endgame which really informs more of the lore in Marvel as well as Carol's internal struggle of being one of the most powerful beings on the planet and not knowing the extent of her powers and how it affects others. Iman Vellani has proven time and time again that she is a great addition to the franchise since her debut in her Disney Plus show. She continues being charming, and light and is still naive to the dangers of being a superhero especially when she meets her idol, Captain Marvel for the first time. With that, she continues to still be the living embodiment of the fans in a Marvel movie. 

Teyonnah Parris, a talent in her own right, was not used to her full potential in this film. With Monica still being defined by her relationship with her mom and Carol,  it is hard to see her as more than just the woman who has kept a grudge all these years. The movie addresses it and of course, resolves it but as someone who was excited for the future of the character, it is time to learn more of Monica as a person rather than just what makes her tick. Her powers are portrayed interestingly as opposed to the final episodes of WandaVision, making the switch of characters even more enjoyable and also a good fit for this unlikely team of light-based superheroes. Fortunately, Monica is not the weakest link in the film. 

Zawe Ashton's Dar Benn continues Marvel's villain problem with not connecting audiences as much. She is not the twirling-mustache-world-domination-figure-for-no-reason we are used to. Dar Benn has an agenda for revenge and redemption for the Kree. Although her arc was simple, the stakes she brought also brought the discovery of the other half to Kamala's bangle. Despite what is presented, Dar Benn managed a reasonable motive for a villain. 

Speaking of inclusion, having the Khan family have a prominent presence in the film more than expected was also a great choice as it kept the audiences as well as Kamala as a character more grounded, allowing the audiences to be aware of some stakes. The inclusion of Goose the Flerken's arc was also interesting and worked well rather than it being thrown in there for comedic effect. Apart from those two things, the film does once again expand Marvel's cosmic lore, previously introduced and new rules that should come to effect in a later project. YES, the film also is a part of the main multiverse saga which is no surprise. However, it does not set up future events as much as everyone claims it does. It is very much a contained story that focuses on three protagonists and deals with the matter at hand. 

The Marvels is, as of right now, remembered and merely judged for its very diminishable faults. It is very much a feel-good movie that happens to feature very strong women at its center and it is sad to see a film like this, which actually has the potential to be enjoyed by audiences, Marvel enthusiasts or not, without being compared to films from the earlier films in the franchise.