[Review] Eternals (8.5/10)

 

Title - Eternals
Production - Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel Studios
Starring - Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Lia McHugh, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Kit Harrington, Harish Patel, Bill Skarsgard
Writer - Chloe Zhao, Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo
Director - Chloe Zhao
Release - 5 November 2021

Receiving mostly negative reviews from critics, but after watching it twice now, I am more than certain Eternals is one of the front runners of the year. 

I'm not sure what went wrong with most of the audiences out there; but to me, this was the most original movie Marvel Studios has ever put out. 

Nevermind every frame looked beautiful from director Chloe Zhao, the story had so much to offer - from universe-building down to the individual struggles of morality. This story was also one of the most beautiful Marvel has ever done.

While the limited action looked spectacular, as with most Marvel movies; but it was always the quieter moments when two or three people were talking that captured my fullest attention.

But because of the number of superheroes involved, not all were given the right amount of development. One such was Lauren Ridloff's Makkari who did not have enough screentime to grow. In terms of storytelling as well, there were a few that were neglected. Such as Kumail Nanjiani's Kingo who was nowhere to be seen towards the end. Brian Tyree Henry's Phastos also disappeared for a little while when their ship went down in the third act. 

Also, how their grand plan in the end had so much flaw to lure one individual while Angelina Jolie's Thena tried to stall. 

Speaking of Jolie, I thought this could have had a better casting. I thought Jolie's well-earned diva-ness didn't fit this minor role and was very distracting because I kept thinking she would pop up to demand attention; which she did not. And watching this a second time was more enjoyable, but still.

Highlights from the cast, definitely was Nanjiani together with his valet, played to perfection by Harish Patel. 

And, unfortunately, Gemma Chan playing the lead role of Sersi didn't really do all that much for me. I'm unsure if it was her acting or just the writing for the lead character fell short - a little like Shang-Chi but not as badly written.