Did you dismiss the MCU film without giving it a chance? Sure, Marvel's Eternals received mixed reviews, but here are five reasons why you might have been wrong about this superhero movie.
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The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been the world's most important entertainment franchise for over a decade. Whether big or small, all of the MCU's films and side projects have received intense scrutiny from fans and critics alike, to show that even something as monolithic as the MCU can have defects.
No matter how good it is, every long journey faces obstacles. The MCU is no exception. Only a handful of UCM films have been rejected by critics, and that's the case with 2021's Eternals. A film that seemed full of promise, but apparently didn't deliver on its promises.
Of all the MCU films, only two have received a “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Eternals. Even Thor: The Dark World didn't get such an unfavorable score from critics – which is saying something.
The question that arises is: does the film deserve this bad publicity? And, more importantly, how could this have happened? Marvel's turbulent Phase 4 may have had a role to play in the film's poor reception, but that doesn't explain why other Phase 4 films received much better reviews (like No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness).
In this list, we'll go over 5 of the most common criticisms fans level at Marvel's Eternals – and why they're not always accurate.
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5. The tone of Marvel's Eternals is radically different
It's safe to say that humor is an integral part of the MCU's DNA, for better and for worse. Whether it's Tony Stark's sharp one-liners or the always entertaining exchanges between the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, humor is an essential ingredient in the franchise's success with international audiences.
Nonetheless, Eternals took a radically different direction. The film ventures into relatively unexplored territory by presenting a darker, even introspective narrative. Although some fans loved this break from the MCU's traditional style of schoolboy humor, some Marvel fanatics were shocked.
However, even though the film seems “different” due to its different approach to humor, director Chloé Zhao manages to tell the version of the story she imagined for these characters. Avoiding the MCU's over-reliance on humor might actually work in Eternals' favor, as it allows the film to stand out even more from other entries in the franchise.
4. Slowness
(LEFT TO RIGHT): Ikaris (Richard Madden) and Sersi (Gemma Chan) in Marvel Studios' ETERNALS. Photo: Sophie Mutevelian ©Marvel Studios 2021. All rights reserved.Another criticism fans have of the film concerns its pacing. Two and a half hours is long, sure, but it's quickly becoming the norm for most blockbusters. Eternals isn't the longest movie in the MCU, even if it feels like it at times.
Again, this ties into how the Eternals' story plays out on screen. These characters are meant to have been on Earth for thousands of years, which translates to over a millennium of character development. A slow pace was the only way to make the film not feel like a disjointed mess.
That being said, it's safe to say that Eternals could have benefited from a different approach to storytelling. Perhaps a companion Disney+ series could have helped flesh out the characters a little more – at least enough for audiences to fully understand their situation.
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3. The approach to gender by Chloé Zhao
Before her Marvel debut, Chloé Zhao captivated audiences and critics with her extraordinary works such as Songs My Brothers Taught Me and Nomadland. His approach to storytelling, often characterized by a naturalistic and intimate lens, has been widely acclaimed. This authenticity stems from his ability to capture raw emotions and present them with striking realism, grounding his stories in the human experience.
Zhao's penchant for introspection and character-driven storytelling contrasts with the more bombastic, action-packed Marvel films that fans have become accustomed to. Some Marvel fans may have been caught off guard by the quieter moments and introspective nature of Eternals.
The film addresses existential questions, exploring the complexities of immortality and humanity's relationship with the divine and legends. This break from the traditional superhero formula, while refreshing for many, may have offended those expecting a more direct Marvel adventure.
However, it is precisely this divergence from the norm that allows Zhao's creative voice to flourish in the Marvel landscape. Its willingness to challenge established conventions and push boundaries allows the MCU to continue to evolve and expand, adopting new tones and styles.
If there's one thing the MCU needs right now, it's freedom from its self-imposed restrictions. Films like Quantumania have shown that Marvel fatigue is a very real phenomenon and that the MCU must adapt to new formats if it wishes to move through a new phase without a hitch.
One could even argue that Eternals would have received quite a different reception if it had released today, compared to the state of the MCU at the time of its debut.
2. The heroes of humanity
Eternals broke new ground in casting diversity, offering a refreshing and inclusive representation of the human experience. In a genre where diversity is increasingly recognized, Eternals stood out by celebrating a vast mosaic of races and cultures, going beyond the confines of previous Marvel films.
While films like Black Panther championed representation by highlighting African culture, Eternals went even further. It brought together a remarkable ensemble cast, embodying a multitude of ethnicities, backgrounds and lived experiences. This inclusive approach authentically reflects the true diversity of our world and presents a myriad of perspectives that reflect the rich tapestry of humanity.
Unlike previous MCU films, which generally revolve around one or two dominant races, Eternals revels in the diversity of its characters. Each Eternal represents a distinct cultural heritage, fostering a true celebration of the global mosaic of humanity. From South Asia to East Asia, the Middle East to Africa, the film recognizes and embraces the beauty of our collective human heritage.
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1. The film stands out from the entire MCU
Although fans love consuming every piece of media with the Marvel logo on it, one could argue that the franchise is becoming too complex for some casual viewers. Remember when you only had to watch three Iron Man movies to understand all the events and references? This is no longer the case with the interconnected universe of the MCU.
Eternals managed to break free from these constraints by introducing a story that feels intrinsically linked to the rest of the MCU, without ever being weighed down by the years of world-building seen in previous Marvel films.
The result is a standalone film, which showcases the grandeur and cosmic scale of the Eternals' world while immersing audiences in a self-contained narrative. This autonomy reinforces the film's ability to captivate both existing fans and newcomers, inviting them to embark on a singular journey that unfolds at their own pace.
As Phase Five moves forward, we still haven't seen exactly how the Eternals might play a role in the MCU's cosmic scene. The mystery is set, and all that remains is to put the pieces in place. Who knows ? Maybe one day we'll see Eternals in a different light, especially if we focus on what it does differently rather than what it failed to emulate.
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