Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” proved itself to be a phenomenal movie due to its cinematography, acting, themes and character development.
As a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), “Eternals” is already part of a bigger universe, but it felt like its own entity as it does not follow the MCU formula that most of the other movies in the franchise use.
The main reason for this is the Academy-Award winning director Chloe Zhao. Zhao recently won Best Director and Best Film for her movie “Nomadland.” The movie was known for its beautiful visual storytelling and emotional scenes, both of which Zhao carried over to “Eternals.”
Every shot in the movie was bright and visually appealing, using natural lighting, which is a refreshing change from the dull colors used in most modern day superhero flicks.
The Eternals are a group of 10 superheroes that have different superpowers and came to Earth to protect humans from the monstrous beings, the Deviants.
Introducing and developing 10 characters is not an easy feat, but Zhao accomplishes this by placing flashback sequences throughout the movie. Although these flashbacks may seem confusing to certain viewers, the editing was well done so that almost everyone knows what times and places the flashbacks took place in.
Through the flashbacks, Zhao clearly establishes all 10 characters’ personalities and ethics. This characterization pays off as the story progresses in real time.
An example of this is the Eternal Druig, played by Barry Keoghan. Druig has the superpower of controlling other people’s consciousnesses, which he abuses constantly for the greater good. However, when he finds out he is being ordered around by a superior being, he does not like it and leaves the group of Eternals.
Marvel fan and PVHS junior Josh Thomas enjoyed Druig’s character. “Druig wasn’t human, but he represented the duality of man better than any other character. He was the most opposed to being controlled by their master, but he used his powers to control others,” Thomas said. “I don’t think those two are contradictory, I think they were intentional. Because he saw what his powers could do to a person, even if it was for the greater good, he resented being manipulated, and that’s what made him a well developed character. He had depth.”
Druig’s characterization was one of many that personally connected to audiences.
In addition to character development, the acting of the main cast is superb. It stars Gemma Chan as Sersi, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo and Angelina Jolie as Thena to name a few. All of these actors perfectly embodied their characters and gave them life. Nanjiani’s Kingo was the comic relief in this tonally dark film. His one-liners were perfectly timed and lightened the mood throughout the film.
Another place where “Eternals” excels is in the racial diversity of the cast. Chan’s Sersi is Asian, Nanjiani’s Kingo is Pakistani and Don Lee’s Gilgamesh is also Asian. In addition to being racially diverse, “Eternals” also introduces a deaf superhero, Makkari, played by a deaf actress, Lauren Ridloff. Despite being deaf, Ridloff plays her role exceptionally well as a speedster, showing audiences disabilities can not stop anyone from being a superhero.
“Eternals” also introduces Marvel’s first on-screen gay superhero. Portrayed by Brian Tyree Henry, Eternal Phastos, whose ability is to invent new objects, starts a family with another man and adopts a child. Unlike many gay relationships in movies, this one does not feel forced and accurately depicts a gay family. Henry’s portrayal is a win for many LGBTQ+ watchers around the world, showing that love always finds a way.
Zhao poeticizes “Eternals’” by including a plethora of themes, like love, acceptance and the importance of humanity. For example, love is shown throughout the movie and Jolie even quotes the movie to be “a love letter to Earth and humanity.” The whole movie discusses why humans are special and worth saving. There is also something very rarely seen in a superhero movie: a sex scene. The specialty of this scene in “Eternals” is that it was not meant to be erotic but, instead, was meant to show how love can be expressed in countless different ways.
One of the only notable flaws in the film lies in the long screen time. The movie clocks in at around 157 minutes, which is unusually long for a Marvel movie. Not everybody wants to sit through two and a half hours for a movie in a theater. However, this runtime was needed to introduce and develop 10 characters and also move ahead with the plot.
Junior Tejus Kanathur, a superhero movie fan, enjoyed the film. “It was an amazing movie that had an enormous scope, different from any previous Marvel movie. It had excellent character development for each of the many protagonists. I couldn’t ask anything more from ‘Eternals,’” Kanathur stated.
Different concepts explored in movies like “Eternals” also make fans excited for future Marvel projects. “Eternals introduced a completely new set of characters, with a completely new plot, and a completely different style. It makes me hopeful that Marvel will be more varied in their approach to moviemaking in the future,” Thomas voiced.
All in all, “Eternals” is a step in the right direction for Marvel and an amazing watch for viewers who want something fresh.
