The Marvels, Marvel Studios’ feature film capstone for 2023 is probably the best of the lot. It delivers on the promise of an interconnected film and TV universe in a delightful and satisfying way. But that’s largely due to the presence of Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani).
Technically the sequel to Captain Marvel, the film picks up decades later. Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) roams space as a self-appointed protector. Although, we soon learn the remnants of the Kree Empire do not see her that way. Meanwhile, in Earthspace, Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) from WandaVision is working with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) aboard the S.A.B.R.E. space station, itself a point of contact across the interstellar portal network. And on Earth, Kamala Khan — Ms. Marvel while in costume — is still daydreaming about teaming up with her favorite superhero: Captain Marvel.
Soon though, she trades places with Carol and Monica. Their powers have become entangled and it will require all three of them to solve the problem.
That set up leads not only to a lot of fun, but some of the best fight sequences in a Marvel film for some time. Because the characters switch places quite frequently, the geography around the fights is very clear. The camera pans around to make the action feel more fluid instead of employing a lot of quick, jutting cuts to create a sense of energy. Also, the Marvels’ powers, although related, are also clearly delineated, giving each character a clear visual marker when the action moves to a wider angle.
The power entanglement means we also get to spend a lot of time with the three leads, both in costume and in more casual moments. It recreates, in some ways, the most successful element of Captain Marvel: the buddy road trip feel. Although, in The Marvel, the energy is different thanks to Vellani, who continues to bring a genuine Marvel geek energy to Kamala. It’s honestly infectious and, we think, gave Larson more bandwidth to play Carol with greater range.
Gone is the stoic outsider of the first film. In her place is a Carol with a better handle on her emotions and, oddly enough, a greater sense of joy. Outside of smaller, indie films, it might be her best performance.
Parris, meanwhile, has the unenviable task of playing Monica as the “adult in the room.” She, nevertheless, makes Monica a very appealing character as she resists certain superhero conventions and goes on an emotional journey that leads directly to the heroic choices she ultimately makes. It’s a very solid performance that leaves us wishing the character had been featured somewhere between WandaVision and the film.
Jackson’s Fury here feels appreciably younger than the tired, embittered version of the character recently featured in Secret Invasion. The interpretation is so different, in fact, that we suspect the series — Marvel Studios’ least well received since getting into television — will be retroactively declared to take place elsewhere in the Multiverse. It’s that incongruent with what just aired. Which is curious as the film also rewards fans for their dedication to WandaVision and Ms. Marvel. While only a few specific plot points from either series are mentioned or discussed, the characters’ prominent place in the film and their fairly consistent characterization definitely delivers on the early promise of what a Marvel film and TV crossover would look like. Kamala’s family also offers their comedic chops in a handy B-plot. While all three performers are great, Zenobia Shroff remains the standout as Kamala’s mother, Muneeba. True, her over-protectiveness can grate, but that’s true to life and true to the character.
And that’s the key thing to appreciating the film. It’s really a framework for this set of characters to shine. The Khans end up in an environment they are wholly unprepared for. Fury faces the silliest crisis of his long career. Kamala gets to go on a space adventure with her hero and Monica gets to decide if her powers mean that she must engage with all this Marvel stuff, in every meaning of the word.
Of course, no movie is perfect. The Marvel Studios tradition of a weak villain returns. Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) is great in handful of scenes, but never stands as a character in her own right. Granted, villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are generally perfunctory as they only aid the heroes journey to self-actualization. But with recent stand-outs like the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, we know it is possible to buck the trend and offer an antagonist who personifies the threat the heroes face. We will mention Dar-Benn’s actions and overall plan are effective in illustrating a menace the Marvels must confront, though.
Additionally, the film’s quick and poppy pace will leave some sensing scenes are missing to aid the brisk ride. We also think the swiftness limits the impact of one key emotional scene.
Nevertheless, The Marvels soars higher, further, and faster than its predecessor. It has the space to make Carol a more well-rounded character while also establishing Kamala and Monica as characters worthy of a big IMAX presentation. It’s also something a Marvel project hasn’t been in awhile: fun. Sure, it might be lighter confection than GotG Vol. 3 or Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — and certainly a happier viewing experience than Secret Invasion — but it contains the pop joy that made Marvel movies such dependable escapist fare.
The Marvels is in theaters now.
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