'Eternals' Movie Review: Thoughtful, intriguing ‘Different’ Superhero flick

A still from Eternals. Pic/Instagram

Eternals
U: Action, Adventure, Drama
Dir: Chloe Zhao
Cast: Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kit Harington, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Barry Keoghan, Lauren Ridloff, Haaz Sleiman, Don Lee, Harish Patel, Esai Daniel Cross, Alan Scott, Nikkita Chadha, Hannah Dodd
Rating: 3.5/5

Eternals, the latest (25th) instalment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) franchise is inspired from Jack Kirby's original "Eternals" Marvel comic books, which were first published in 1976. The film introduces a whole family of ancient immortal beings who have played an integral part in shaping human history and civilisations. They belong to another planet, Olympia, in the cosmic Galaxy but they have been protecting earthlings from 5000 BC (or even before) when Mesopotamia was attacked by giant, ferocious, destructive Deviants.

This film in fact opens in that period, jumps through several centuries and events thereof before settling into the here and now where unexpected tragedy forces the Eternals (aliens masquerading as humans for thousands of years) to reunite and spew their individual power and fury on mankind's most ancient enemy, the Deviants. But this is not just a superhero action extravaganza. This film is also a sensual love story between Sersi (Gemma Chang) and Ikaris (Richard Madden) spanning several thousands of years.

There are ten main characters in the film and co-writer/ Director Chloe Zhao balances out significant screen time so that each character's motivations are etched out in lengthy expositions before the final act. Her take is an unusually elegant, thoughtful, and intriguing one. She makes her superheroes much more human than we've experienced before. They have superpowers but are also flawed like the regular human being.

Zhao, along with Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo and Kaz Firpo has scripted this take to be more nuanced and deeper than the regular superhero franchise flick. Barry Keoghan's Druig (Gay superhero), Lauren Ridloff's Makkari (a deaf superhero), Kumail Nanjiani's Bollywood screen dancing superhero Kingo and Angelina Jolie's mentally unbalanced Thena are examples of inclusivity that this film hopes to regularise within the community of superheroes. Amidst all that exposition you get brief action sequences that highlight the Eternals influence over the ever-changing human civilization, and some humor to lighten the mood - which makes for a compelling combination.

The narrative is also quite impressively scaled - to suit the IMAX magnitude. The film is shot on real locations and the CGI and pace feel a little understated. Director of Photography Ben Davis makes the visuals strikingly distinct using wide shots and close-ups judiciously to emphasize the size and significance of the Celestial beings. Ramin Djawadi's background score lends choral power alongside powerfully themed instrumental serenades, to the superpowers in the frame. Technical specs are above-board here and the film effects an emotional connection that is rare for a superhero movie. Unfortunately, Zhao's lack of passion for big-ticket action might become a hindrance in increasing the Marvel fan base. While Zhao's humanist take on superheroes is intriguing and different enough it may not bring on the adrenaline gush that most moviegoers expect from a superhero flick.

Also Read: Kumail Nanjiani: We haven't seen superheroes who look like us