Don't Sleep on The Marvels
The fun movie hits some marvelous marks familiar to other MCU greats
The Marvels is absolutely delightful. The love I have for the Ms. Marvel series blends wonderfully with Captain Marvel’s world. The trio of Carol Danvers, Kamala Khan, and “Professor Marvel” (aka Captain Monica Rambeau) deliver a fun, entertaining, and heartfelt team-up that will make you want to replay those great scenes again and again.
This is my favorite appearance of Captain Marvel (played by Brie Larson) in any MCU movie. Not only do fans watch her playful banter with characters like Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson), there’s genuine sorrow in this character brought up from her actions to stop or save the Kree and her being absent from Rambeau’s life since she was a child.
What Makes The Marvels Shine?
The supporting cast is phenomenal. Khan’s parents and brother continue an already incredible dynamic while being introduced to Fury and company. The interactions are hilarious at times, while dramatic at others. The Marvels is well-balanced with storytelling, visuals, and ultimately presenting very likeable characters where we feel something for them – where they mean something more than just a person on a big (or small) screen.
The initial gushing of Khan (played by Iman Vellani) to her idol, while immediately showcasing Danver’s “not right now” moment is perfect. Even the awkward meetup with Rambeau (played by Teyonah Parris) ultimately turns around to where these three characters just mesh exceedingly well together. Yes, yes, there’s an awful truth of Captain Marvel destroying the Kree’s A.I. way of life, which ultimately led to civil war and the toxic remains of their planet Hala. And now Dar-Benn (played by Zawe Ashton) is hell-bent on saving her planet while seeking vengeance on Danvers.
Danvers is riddled with guilt, but her new team gives her ideas on how to help those in need – along with not feeling alone anymore. Not only does The Marvels showcase wonderful returning characters, it displays a new world and people who communicate through song. It stood out as different from other Marvel movies, but still pleasantly surprising. If you enjoyed the dancing in Ms. Marvel, then you’ll definitely enjoy this sequence.
And how can I forget to mention that initial fight sequence where our heroes’ powers are intertwined. They instantly switch places when they use their powers at the same time and it generates one of, if not the most, unique fight sequences in Marvel. It’s awesome!
Should There Be More from The Marvels Team?
YES! There is wonderful groundwork for future team-ups; however, it would seem to prove most difficult with Rambeau’s current location. If you haven’t seen The Marvels – SPOILER ALERT – Captain Monica Rambeau sealed up an enormous fracture in space and time and was trapped on the opposite side: an alternate reality.
This alternate reality featured the person who looks like Rambeau’s mother, but it’s clearly not her. Oh, yeah, Beast from the X-Men was also there. Talk about an end credits’ scene! Plus, Khan is out there recruiting for a new superhero team and she starts by politely asking Kate Bishop, after secretly entering her apartment.
The Marvels is fun, funny, and full of great moments. It definitely has rewatch value and poses a lot of unanswered questions. What’s next for Captain Marvel? When and where are we going to see this new superhero team that Ms. Marvel is creating? And will Rambeau get a happy reunion with her favorite Aunt Carol when everything is all said and done? All of these things land Marvel fans with a great viewing experience.
That’s how you do it, Marvel. Now, do it again, please.