The Marvels (2023): A cosmic journey of action and connection

The Marvels is an American superhero film released in 2023, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the direct sequel to Captain Marvel (2019) and is part of Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film is directed by Nia DaCosta, who became the first African-American woman to direct an MCU film, marking a milestone within the industry.

The film brings together three female heroes from the Marvel Universe: Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel, and explores the consequences of using their cosmic powers. With a lighter, dynamic, and comedic approach, The Marvels It focuses on the synergy between characters and emotional connection as the core of its narrative, leaving aside the classic “origin” structure to focus on a story of teamwork, family, and redemption.

Synopsis

After reclaiming her identity from Kree control and exacting revenge against the Supreme Intelligence, Carol Danvers, also known as Captain Marvel, finds herself facing unexpected consequences. Her intervention in cosmic conflicts has caused an imbalance in the universe that threatens to expand.

While investigating a cosmic anomaly involving a mysterious quantum leap, Carol becomes strangely connected to two other women: Monica Rambeau, now a SABER astronaut with abilities gained after crossing the energy barrier in WandaVision, and Kamala Khan, a New Jersey teenager with powers derived from her magic bracelet, introduced in the series Ms. Marvel.

Each time they use their powers, they swap places in space, forcing them to work together to uncover the cause of the phenomenon. They soon realize that a new enemy, Dar-Benn, a Kree leader determined to restore power to her destroyed planet, is manipulating the portal jumps to absorb resources from other worlds.

Together, these three heroines must learn to synchronize their abilities, overcome their differences, and save the universe once again.

Cast

• Brie Larson as Carol Danvers / Captain MarvelA former Air Force pilot turned into one of the universe's most powerful heroes. She now grapples with the weight of her past choices.
• Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau: SABER scientist and astronaut, daughter of Maria Rambeau, with energy manipulation powers. Her relationship with Carol is complex and emotionally charged.
• Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel: A Pakistani-American teenager, a superhero fanatic, who discovers she possesses cosmic abilities thanks to an ancient bracelet.
• Zawe Ashton as Dar-Benn: The main villain, a Kree warrior who seeks to save her world, Hala, using questionable and destructive methods.
• Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury: The former director of SHIELD who now oversees SABER operations in space.
• Park Seo-joon as Prince Yan: An ally of Carol Danvers, king of the planet Aladna, where everyone communicates by singing.
• Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur and Saagar Shaikh like Kamala Khan's family, who bring humor and humanity to the story.

Reviews

The film received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the more relaxed and comedic tone compared to other MCU productions, as well as the chemistry between the leads. However, others pointed out issues with the narrative, a lack of depth in the villain, and uneven execution of the script.

Critical highlights:

• In favor:
  • Iman Vellani's performance was widely praised for her charisma, enthusiasm, and naturalness.
  • The coordinated action scenes between the three heroines were innovative and visually appealing.
  • The focus on family, both literally and emotionally, added a more intimate dimension to the story.
• Against:
  • The pacing was inconsistent, with moments that seemed rushed or poorly developed.
  • The villain Dar-Benn was considered generic by several critics.
  • The connection to other MCU series required too much prior knowledge for some casual viewers.

Public reception

In terms of box office, The Marvels It underperformed Marvel Studios' expectations. Despite having an estimated budget of between $200 and $250 million, its global box office gross barely exceeded $200 million, making it one of the lowest-grossing films in MCU history.

Among the public, the reception was mixed. While fans of Kamala Khan and the Disney+ series enjoyed the interaction between the characters, others were disappointed by the lack of a more compelling story or compelling threat.

On platforms such as Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a mixed score: around 60% from critics and an 80% approval rating from the public, reflecting that, although it was not a total failure, it did not achieve the success expected.

Technical and visual aspects

One of the highlights of The Marvels It's its visual design. Throughout the film, completely different worlds are presented in style, color, and culture:

• Aladna, the planet where he communicates by singing, offers a bright, colorful and original aesthetic experience, breaking with the usual dark settings of the MCU.
• The space scenes They feature well-achieved visual effects, with combat choreography that takes advantage of the concept of the protagonists' switching positions.
• He production design maintains a high standard, with detailed costumes, practical effects mixed with CGI, and convincing settings.

The soundtrack, composed by Laura Karpman, balances epic cosmic themes with lighter, more familiar moments. The use of popular songs is also notable, accentuating the youthful tone of certain scenes.

Nia DaCosta's direction brings a fresh approach, with a more character-driven sensibility, while still delivering visually dynamic action. Her style moves away from over-the-top drama and seeks more humor, emotional connection, and a brisk pace.

Conclusion

The Marvels It's a film that represents both a risk and a gamble for Marvel Studios. It moves away from the classic formula centered on a single hero and proposes a female ensemble story, where collaboration is key. Although it didn't manage to win over the box office or critics overwhelmingly, it offers a fun and visually striking experience.

The film's strength lies in its protagonists: three women with different backgrounds, ages, and worldviews, who learn to work together. Iman Vellani shines as the new face of the MCU, and her portrayal of Kamala Khan promises to be key to the future of the cinematic universe.

In summary, The Marvels It's not a revolution within the MCU, but it is an interesting proposal that attempts to combine adventure, humor, and excitement. Despite its ups and downs, it manages to deliver an important message: that strength doesn't always lie in individuality, but in unity.