The Marvels (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – Carol Danvers gets her powers entangled with those of Kamala Khan and Monica Rambeau, forcing them to work together to save the universe.

My Take – Indeed it’s been a tough time for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly post-Avengers: Endgame (2019), as the studio has been churning out, with an exception of a few, an array of serviceable to terrible feature and TV projects that still contain the ambitious but lack the distinct quality what made their offerings standout in the superhero landscape.

And while this sequel to the billion dollar earning Captain Marvel (2019) lacks the staying power of previous entries, in a surprising turn of events, this 33rd film from the series is actually quite better than one could have imagined. Delivering a charmingly fun, silly, action-packed intergalactic ride led by three charismatic superheroes and starring a lot of cats.

Yes, the film’s exploration of the multiverse saga and its focus on female power contribute intriguing elements yet don’t fully capitalize on their potential, but in her inaugural outing in the superhero terrain director Nia DaCosta (Candyman) brings a completely fresh tone to the franchise that leaves you grinning well after the credits roll.

It helps that the film contains the key elements that makes a Marvel feature shine — it doesn’t take itself too seriously, offers laughs and chaos onscreen, Larson, Parris and Vellani make for an entertaining intergalactic ensemble, and of course, it delivers game-changing bombs for the future of the MCU.

Taking place after the events of Captain Marvel (2019), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and the television miniseries WandaVision (2021) and Ms. Marvel (2022), the story follows Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), who is still reeling with the effects of destroying the Supreme Intelligence which led to a civil war among the Kree species in their home world of Hala. A conflict which rendered the planet barren as it lost its air, water, and sunlight.

Now, Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), the new leader of the Kree, has found herself one half of the Quantum Bands, of which Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) has the other half, giving her enormous power and enabling her to tear apart jump points in space.

But as Carol and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) begin investigating this wormholes in outer space, the two and Kamala start mysteriously switching places with one another especially when they use their powers. Realizing something is amiss, the trio are forced to work together to figure out what is causing this strange phenomena and hopefully put a stop to both Dar-Benn and the warring Kree.

As the shortest film in MCU history, the film get straight to the point, skillfully dealing with bigger franchise story-lines, while offering character development and unforgettable musical moments. It is all, of course, entirely ridiculous, but presented with such likable humor, particularly the trio’s visit to a planet where everyone sings instead of speaks. On this planet Carol is a princess, a set piece presumably placed in the story purely so that Larson can showcase an adorable princess outfit.

But the main focus is on the new superhero trio of women, who must learn to use the challenge posed by the jump points to their advantage. We get a fun little training montage that offers a nice contrast to the equivalent in so many other films. Here, the three women treat each other as equals despite the age differences that could have been a valid basis to establish a hierarchy. At the same time, the film never loses sight of the fun, whether it’s Kamala’s mother Muneeba (Zenobia Shroff) using a roll of kitchen paper to fight off intruders or simply having Goose the Flerken causing mayhem in the background.

The film’s action sequences are particularly standout, operating on a level unlike anything else we’ve seen from Marvel Studios. Each character’s light-based powers are a sight to behold, while the place-swapping works very well during fast-paced fights. Every time the protagonist trio switches places while using their powers, the fights end up driven by unexpected, phenomenal choreography offering a different flavor to your usual superhero action. It feels different and exciting.

The action sequences in the Khan household and on the singing planet Aladna were are some of the best in the MCU thanks to some excellent camera work.

However, the film’s biggest problem is the writing from co-writers Nia DaCosta, Megan McDonnell and Elissa Karasik. The film falls short of capturing the emotional investment characteristic of previous MCU entries and of course, the lack of a formidable antagonist weakens the film’s impact. Dar-Benn’s portrayal and whole plan diminishes the stakes, and the action often struggles to integrate with the emotional depth needed for a lasting connection.

Plus, the much criticized series, Secret Invasion, was heavily tied into the original film, but here, its characters are nowhere to be seen here, despite obvious connections. Even the Skrulls, the most interesting part of the earlier film, are shortchanged here with throwaway lines that once again hint at a much more interesting plot happening behind the scenes.

Nevertheless, the chemistry among the trio shines as the film’s highlight. Brie Larson brings some much-needed emotion, humor, and overall personality in her third outing as Carol Danvers. Teyonah Parris lights up the screen as Monica Rambeau. While her character never goes to the depths the streaming series allowed, it’s a joy to see her back.

But without a doubt, it is Iman Vellani who steals the show, making a stronger impression than anything else during the short 105-minute adventure. Effortlessly nailing every single joke and bringing a warm family dynamic to the film with Mohan Kapur, Zenobia Shroff and Saagar Shaikh.

Samuel L. Jackson is back in his prime, while Zawe Ashton does what she can with her weak villain. Lashana Lynch makes a likable return in a small role, though Park Seo-joon is completely wasted in a role that is effectively a cameo. On the whole, ‘The Marvels’ is a delightfully fun action-packed superhero adventure with some light effect.