The Marvels Review: A Cosmic Quest with Uneven Thrills

by Haley November 8, 2023

“The Marvels,” the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, aims for the stars but finds itself somewhat adrift in the vastness of its ambitions. With a narrative that zigzags through a cosmic playground, the film often succumbs to the weight of its convoluted plot, leaving viewers longing for the narrative cohesion of its predecessors.

Director Nia DaCosta brings a fresh eye to the MCU, but her vision is clouded by a script that can’t quite decide whether it’s a space opera or a comedy of intergalactic errors. The film’s humor, while a bold attempt to inject levity into the superhero genre, often feels misplaced, undercutting moments that should have been impactful with ill-timed jokes.

The ensemble cast, led by Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and newcomer Iman Vellani, delivers the charisma we expect from Marvel’s heroes. However, their performances are marred by a story that doesn’t give them enough room to truly develop. Vellani’s Ms. Marvel is a beacon of potential, but even her bright performance is dimmed by the film’s erratic pacing and a villain who lacks both presence and purpose.

Visually, “The Marvels” is a feast for the eyes, with its interstellar chases and quantum quandaries. Yet, these spectacles can’t mask the film’s underlying issues—a narrative that feels overstuffed and undercooked. The action sequences are a whirlwind of energy, but they’re often as disorienting as the plot twists that propel our heroes from one set piece to the next.

In its attempt to stand out, “The Marvels” unfortunately stumbles, delivering a film that’s more of a frenetic collage than a coherent picture. It’s a ride through the cosmos that’s both thrilling and unsatisfying, leaving us to wonder what could have been if the film had taken a moment to breathe and let its story unfold with the gravity it deserved.

In the end, “The Marvels” is a film that reaches for the stars but only manages to grasp at straws, a disappointing chapter in the MCU that will leave fans both entertained and perplexed. It’s a cinematic puzzle where the pieces don’t quite fit, a space adventure lost in its own universe.

RATING: 2.5 out of 5.

The Marvels is in theaters on November 10th.