When the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), does a team-up film, a fair amount of backstory is required viewing. After all, every AVENGERS film is assembled of THOR, IRON MAN, and CAPTAIN AMERICA big-screen adventures. The 33rd MCU film, THE MARVELS, also requires us to know a lot from the films, and for the first time…is tied directly to two MCU streaming shows: WANDAVISION, and MS. MARVEL.
Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), has her powers entangled with her similar-powered counterparts Kamala/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), which causes the three of them to swap places when said powers are used. As they try to untangle with the help of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), the powerful Kree warrior Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), begins stealing resources from other planets to save her own homeworld.
Directed by Nia DaCosta, THE MARVELS is an intergalactic adventure spanning locations across the galaxy in a head-spinning cosmic romp. The stepping-off point is Dar-Benn, who is looking to save her homeworld from extinction…which involves hijacking intergalactic jump-points (picture subways in space), and using them to transport atmosphere, oceans, and even solar-power from worlds tied to Danvers’ past. It’s a revenge tale, but the need to save her planet is a welcome change to the old Wrath-of-Khan plot.
The real heart of the film is the team-up. The character dynamics of the new team of Danvers, Monica, and 16-year-old Kamala are very well done. Danvers and Monica have a history (as explored in CAPTAIN MARVEL from 2019, more homework), and Kamala is in fan-girl mode as she idolizes Danvers. The three together are great fun, and the body-swapping is a blast.
As a cosmic adventure, THE MARVELS does not hold back in boldly going to strange new worlds. A planet where no one speaks but communicates via song lets the MCU dip into musical territory, and a small army of space-kittens provide some absolute howlers. It’s hokey in places, but it’s so much fun and handled well there’s not much to gripe about.
The cast is excellent throughout. Brie Larson and her new co-stars have great energy together, and Kamala Khan just lights up the screen. Samuel L. Jackson is still a heavy-hitter as Fury. Kamala’s family from her streaming series makes the trek to the big screen (Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh), and although they start off as too much sitcom, they earn their place and provide an emotional punch at the end.
The real treat is THE MARVELS handles most of the backstory by some well-timed flashbacks and other clever ways to fill in the blanks, and anyone coming into the film without seeing the streaming series won’t be too lost. Once that is out of the way, there is a ton of fun to be had, and the consequences of this film have huge consequences going forward, with new X-factors entering the MCU. That makes THE MARVELS required viewing.
BOTTOM LINE: See it
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