Walt Disney Pictures presents The Marvels, the 33rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Nia DaCosta directs, co-writing the screenplay with Megan McDonell and Elissa Karasik.
The Marvels is a sequel to Captain Marvel, and a continuation of the Disney+ show Ms. Marvel. Captain Marvel\Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), also known as Captain Marvel, has successfully defeated the tyrannical Kree and destroyed the Supreme Intelligence. However, her actions have unintended consequences, leading to a destabilized universe. When her duties lead her to an unusual wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, Carol Danvers' (Brie Larson) powers become intertwined with those of Kamala Khan (pIman Vellani), also known as Ms. Marvel, and Carol's estranged niece, Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), who is now a SABER astronaut.
Together, this unlikely trio must collaborate and work in harmony to save the universe as The Marvels. At the same time, supervillain Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) lurks in the shadows, plotting revenge against Danvers. Meanwhile, Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) is enjoying his work at SABER after the events of Secret Invasion.
Like the first film, some die-hard male fans predicted The Marvels to fail before a trailer was released. While I don't fall into the category, I view every film with an open mind, no matter the genre. Despite the crystal evident inexperience of first-time directors on the first film, I enjoyed it and looked forward to the sequel.
Nia DaCosta's appointment as director for the movie was entirely unexpected, as her first film was a crime drama, and she followed it up with the Candyman requel. While Dacosta excels in creating the film's action sequences, particularly during a first act scene where the three leads teleport between each other's worlds, as the movie progresses, it becomes evident that she was either forced out of the editing room or a second unit director took over, as the film's tone felt inconsistent in the second and third acts.
Iman Vellani shines as the standout performer among the cast of heroines. Although I understand the studio's intention to create a team-up movie, it would have been better if the film's plot had been used as the second-season storyline for her show, Ms. Marvel. Teyonah Parris is a strong contender for a lead role in future MCU projects.
I am excited to see her character evolve and explore new dimensions. Parris can portray a powerful heroine, deliver witty one-liners, and exude black girl magic effortlessly. This is Parris's second time collaborating with the director; their chemistry is undeniable. It would be great to witness their reunion in a different genre project.
Unfortunately, Brie Larson is on autopilot. Despite being a fan since Short Term 12, it feels like she took on this role to pay her bills and get residuals. While she is still adequate in her role as the trio's leader, the charm present in the first film is noticeably absent. The rest of the cast conforms to typical MCU archetypes. Zawe Ashton's lackluster villainy is forgettable. While Samuel L. Jackson delivers the usual mentor vibes as Nick Fury.
The Marvels is a 105-minute movie that may appeal to a specific age group and casual moviegoers. It's not a terrible film, but it lacks direction. However, the final and mid-credit scenes offer hope for the future of the two main characters.
Final Grade: C
The Marvels is in theaters tomorrow.