A One Mann’s Movies review of “Eternals” (2021).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
I normally like to catch films early in their release, and avoid reading other reviews, so that I can come to my own independent opinion on them. (This sometimes has my feelings about a film wildly at odds with the general consensus, as with “Spencer“, but that just adds to the fun, right?) “Eternals” came out the week I was struck down by Covid, so I’ve only just seen it. And in that gap, I read some pretty terrible reviews, so I was bracing myself. But, although not a classic, it had some interesting moments.
Plot Summary:
Arishem is a God-like being who assigns the Eternals to protect emerging planets. Led by Ajak (Salma Hayek), a group of Eternals have spent millennia tending to Earth. With their own ‘Prime Directive’, they are not allowed to interfere with man’s natural instinct to make war, but some evolutionary shoves in the right direction (by scientist Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry)) seems to be allowed. During that time, love has emerged between Sersi (Gemma Chan) and Ikaris (Richard Madden). But even the greatest love can wane with so much time, and now Sersi is with the human Dane Whitman (Kit Harrington… who wouldn’t?!).
But not is all as it seems to be, as an emerging threat to Earth is forecast.
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Kit Harrington, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Ma Dong-seok.
Directed by: Chloé Zhao.
Written by: Chloé Zhao, Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo and Kaz Firpo (from a story by Ryan Firpo and Kaz Firpo).
“Eternals” Review:
Positives:
- As you might expect, a director like Chloé Zhao is going to try to make a ‘different’ impact on the Marvel franchise, and she does. There’s lots to like in some of the inclusivity decisions here: ethnic and gender diversity in the leading cast; the first on-screen Marvel sex scene; the first Marvel gay kiss (and inter-racial at that); and a leading character who’s deaf. It’s certainly different.
- There’s a truly epic nature to the story, spanning all of earth’s history. We’ve been here before (e.g. in “Doctor Who” with the ‘little blue box’ appearing in ancient carvings and manuscripts), but I like the end titles where the Eternals were reflected in iconic art through the millennia. I thought the actual threat to Earth was also well done. (You see…. global warming wasn’t anything to do with CO2 at all… bloody scientists… they know NOTHING!!)
- It’s a strong cast, with Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek adding real star power and gravitas to the cast. I particularly like Lauren Ridloff (playing the deaf girl Makkari) who was genuinely personable with great on-screen charisma. I want to see her and The Flash compete in the London marathon in a future Marvel! Kumail Nanjiani was also good as Kingo, adding some much-needed humour to the piece (otherwise, in general, this has fewer wisecracks-per-Marvel-minute for the running time). A particular shout-out too to Harish Patel who plays Kingo’s director Karun, and to the writers. I found the scene where Karun, when facing destruction, thanks the Eternals for all they’ve done to help mankind over the centuries genuinely moving.
- The film is beautiful to look at, thanks to some loving cinematography by Ben Davis (Three Billboards; Captain Marvel; Guardians of the Galaxy). It’s also very helpful for the Canary Islands Tourist Board.
Negatives:
- Man, it drags at times. I like the fact that the movie develops its relationships between the characters, but the running time of over two and a half hours sometimes feels like twice that. There was one point, during the sequence in the Amazon rainforest, where I ACTUALLY DOZED OFF. I don’t think I have EVER done that before at a cinema, even in midnight showings. It was only a sudden moment of action (Icarus being hoicked off into the trees) that snapped me awake again!
- We zip backwards and forwards through history, which I don’t have a problem with except that some of the signposting of this is poor leaving me not knowing what’s going on. The most grievous example of this is early in the film (before we are used to it) where we zip from modern-day London to an action sequence in ancient Syria. It’s only after the action ceases that we get a caption saying where and when we are.
- Some of the acting I thought to be a bit wooden, with Richard Madden in particular not doing his Bond-odds any favours.
“Monkeys”?
As a Marvel film, there are of course “monkeys” in the end titles. Two. One mid-titles, introducing a much-discussed-online heartthrob into the Marvel universe. (No, not James Corden). And one at the end, exposing more about Kit Harrington’s character and introducing – vocally only, the voice (Zhao has revealed) being that of the wonderful Mahershala Ali intro-ing a new Marvel character, albeit one we’ve seen onscreen before with something of a cutting edge!
Summary Thoughts on “Eternals”
This is an unusual review for me, since normally if I rate a film below 3-stars then the list of negatives far exceeds the list of positives. That’s not the case here. But the rating feels apt for the film to me, mainly due to the pacing issues. Most Marvel movies I will happily rewatch when they come on the box, but this one I’m not sure I’d have the strength to sit through again.
Trailer for “Eternals”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_me3xsvDgk .
