Brie Larson returns to save the universe in a scattershot sequel with a plucky teenage admirer and her aggrieved surrogate niece. The Marvels swings wildly between CGI-fueled action scenes, campy humor, and slivers of emotional gravitas. Banner cast chemistry between the likable leads lifts a convoluted plot with a dull and dreary villain. There isn’t a second of real tension in the film, but personalities go a long way. Memorable supporting characters, including a wisecracking Nick Fury, alien Flerken cats, and a Jersey City family make the most of their screen time. I would have preferred a more substantive, focused adventure, but was generally entertained throughout.
On a distant world, Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) of the Kree Starforce and Hala’s new ruler, smashes open an ancient artifact with her Accuser’s hammer. She’s found a source of incredible power to achieve a dangerous plan. Dar-Benn’s action fractures the Universal Neural Teleportation Network, aka Jump Points, which enable faster than light travel between worlds. On the S.A.B.E.R. space station orbiting above Earth, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) orders Carol Danvers (Larson) to investigate the source of the anomaly. Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) ventures into the void for a closer look at the crackling hexagon wormhole that has appeared nearby.
Captain Marvel’s initial encounter with Dar-Benn has an unexpected result. In Jersey City, Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) doodles comics about her fantasy bestie. The bangle on her arm lights up and she vanishes. A stunned Carol instantly appears in Kamala’s room. Where the heck is she? What just happened? Kamala’s parents, Muneeba (Zenobia Shroff), Yusuf (Mohan Kapur), and her older brother, Aamir (Saagar Shaikh), are stupefied to see a befuddled Captain Marvel coming down the staircase. But as Ms. Marvel battles Dar-Benn’s goons, a similar switch occurs again between her and Monica in space. Kamala shrieks as she tumbles towards Fury’s office.
An Unexpected Team
Marvel Studios
A whirlwind of fighting and confusion finally lands the three protagonists together. Monica surmises that whatever Dar-Benn is doing to the Jump Points has affected the electromagnetic spectrum. Their light-based powers have somehow become entangled. Kamala can manifest light into physical objects, Monica absorbs and funnels, while the incredibly powerful Carol has the limitless ability to generate photonic energy. They must find a way to engage their Kree adversary without constantly trading places, a difficult task further compounded by complex relationship issues. Monica has never forgiven Carol for leaving when her mother (Lashana Lynch) died. Kamala’s ecstatic to be in the presence of her hero. But Carol feels unworthy of Kamala’s praise and struggles to mend the bridge to a wounded Monica.
Director/co-writer Nia DaCosta (Little Woods, Candyman) has a strong open that smartly introduces Kamala and Monica to fans who haven’t seen their Disney+ MCU shows. Ms. Marvel and the Khans were established with Carol appearing in the season finale. The grown Monica got her powers from the Scarlet Witch’s hex in WandaVision. This key exposition is delivered within minutes and allows the narrative to take shape with everyone on the same page. Where it goes from there certainly isn’t concise or logical.
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Dar-Benn is a poorly realized antagonist that’s never threatening. She has to face three superheroes and is clearly outmatched by Carol alone. She dictates an obvious goal that the script predictably marches toward. DaCosta uses Dar-Benn to frame how Captain Marvel is viewed. Her efforts to save worlds and bring peace haven’t been entirely successful. Carol is feared, despised, and branded with a harsh Kree moniker. Dar-Benn could have had teeth. She has a legitimate grudge against Carol. DaCosta needed to give Ashton, a fine actress, better character development and dialogue.
Hello Flerken Kitties
Marvel Studios
The Marvels has action aplenty, but it often looks like a video game. Scenes of Carol, Kamala, and Monica beating the Kree to a pulp in fist fights work. Flight, landings, and their blazing powers are handled by digital doppelgängers. The film suffers somewhat from the same visual fx problems that plagued Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. There’s a CGI onslaught required to tell the story. That’s understood, but the details could have been sharper. This is an issue for discerning audiences. Willing suspension of disbelief should suffice with general fandom.
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There are no white male characters significant to the plot. This is the first MCU film that’s truly female-driven with a dominant multi-ethnic focus. Kamala’s relatives play a huge role as the unwitting bystanders swept along for the ride. Their heritage, viewpoints, and reactions are pivotal as they watch Kamala with burgeoning awe. Abject fear for her safety evolves into unconditional support. This transformation is integral and realistic. Vellani has the hardest role of being fawning without annoyance and earning her superhero stripes. DaCosta deserves credit for thoughtfully exploring the Khan family dynamics.
I didn’t expect singing, dance scenes, and an outsized role for Goose the Flerken cat. There are a lot of sight gags and frivolous turns. It’s a bit of a stretch, but others in my theater laughed hysterically at the hijinks. Carol, Kamala, and Monica are fantastic together. You always root for them. That’s the most important element to the film. Stick around during the credits for a whopper reveal that takes the MCU into a welcome new direction. Fans are going to lose their minds.
The Marvels is a production of Marvel Studios. It will be released theatrically on November 10th from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
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