The Cosmic Cliffhanger: Why Marvel’s Eternals Falls Short of its Grand Ambitions
Marvel’s Eternals, boasting a star-studded cast and a runtime exceeding two and a half hours, promised an epic journey across millennia. Sadly, despite the film’s ambitious scope and stunning visuals, it fails to capture the heart and soul of its characters, leaving viewers grappling with a sense of cosmic disappointment.
In a narrative spanning thousands of years, from ancient Mesopotamia to present-day London, the film introduces us to ten immortal beings, the Eternals, who have secretly protected Earth from monstrous Deviants. While the story has potential for thrilling exploration of the impact of such beings on human history, Eternals stumbles in its execution, sacrificing character depth for a whirlwind of exposition and confusing plot twists.
The film’s sprawling narrative, while attempting to cover a vast period, sacrifices character development for the sake of fast-paced plot movement. Despite a star-studded cast including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Richard Madden, the characters feel like archetypes rather than individuals.
A Missed Opportunity for Depth
One of the central issues lies in the hurried introduction of these ten diverse characters. Each Eternal boasts unique abilities, but these powers often feel like superficial plot devices, lacking the emotional connection and complexities that might otherwise make them relatable.
The film also struggles with its villainous antagonists, the Deviants. While physically terrifying, they fail to inspire any sense of genuine threat. Their lack of dialogue and shallow motivations contribute to a sense of flatness that undermines the overall tension and stakes.
A Lack of Focus Leads to Confusion
Despite its grand scale and stunning visuals, Eternals suffers from a lack of narrative focus. Even with a runtime stretching beyond two hours, the story feels rushed, leaving many questions unanswered and plot threads untied. The film’s ambition to juggle countless characters and time periods ultimately undermines its potential for compelling storytelling.
The Weight of the Universe
The film attempts to tackle the weighty themes of human history, free will, and the impact of divine beings on our existence. However, it never delves deeply enough into these existential questions. While the exploration of the Eternals’ internal conflicts regarding their role in shaping human history could have been a powerful narrative thread, it ultimately remains underdeveloped.
A Missed Opportunity for Chloé Zhao
While director Chloé Zhao brought her renowned visual flair to the project, Eternals feels like a departure from her previous works. Her signature intimate style, often showcased in her previous films like Nomadland, is largely absent, leaving behind a grand but hollow cinematic experience that feels more like a typical Marvel production than a distinctive Zhao film.
A Missed Opportunity for Diversity
Eternals introduces the MCU’s first openly gay superhero, Phastos, and its first deaf superhero, Makkari. Though a commendable step towards inclusivity, their representation feels superficial and ultimately underutilized. The film’s focus on a vast ensemble cast appears to have overshadowed their potentially impactful stories.
A glimmer of Hope
Despite its shortcomings, Eternals does manage to inject humor into its narrative, particularly through the comedic duo of Kingo and Karun. Their witty banter and lively interplay provide much-needed relief from the film’s overarching seriousness.
The exploration of the Eternals’ internal conflicts regarding their roles in human affairs also offers a tantalizing glimpse into the potential depth of their characters. However, this thread is ultimately left underdeveloped, leaving the audience yearning for a more thorough exploration of these moral complexities.
The Cosmic Cliffhanger
Ultimately, Eternals leaves viewers with a sense of cosmic frustration. While it promised a grand epic journey, it ultimately falls short of its potential. With a confusing plot, underdeveloped characters, and a missed opportunity to delve into the complexities of its themes, Eternals fails to deliver a satisfyingly enriching cinematic experience.
This ambitious venture serves as a stark reminder that large-scale narratives can sometimes be overwhelmed by their own ambition. For a film that deals with the creation and history of the MCU universe, Eternals ultimately fails to live up to the expectations it sets for itself.
