Movie Review: Eternals

Eternals is the latest addition to the MCU saga and Marvel’s phase 4. It begins and sets up a new storyline and a new cast of heroes to introduce to a new generation of fans, while embracing the Marvel stories that came before it.

The Eternals, a race of immortal beings with superhuman powers who have secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years, reunite to battle the evil Deviants. Directed by Chloe Zhao (Academy Award winning director for Nomadland), the film is the beginning of a brand new series on the same scale as the Avengers.

Eternals is a thrilling action/sci-fi epic, from the opening scenes that take place in 5000 B.C. to its modern-day setting. There is no one full moment in the film. Unless familiar with the comic books of the same name, it’ll be understandable to not have a sense of familiarity with the story’s protagonist.

Unlike the previous Marvel films (Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, etc), audiences don’t get to learn and follow individual characters and their story arches before heading into the big ensemble films, like The Avengers, Age of Ultron, and Endgame.

However, what Eternals does best is establishing its lead heroes, fully formed, by the end of the film, to the point of understanding who they are and their objectives to the story.

In the same way the Eternals have been hiding in plain sight within its cinematic universe, no one is expecting all these people to really be immortal beings, surprising the audience as well as the characters in learning their true identities. It’s a clever way to help moviegoers feel invested in the story. If the characters are surprised, just like the audience, then the viewers know they are in good hands.

As with any Marvel film or sci-fi epic, where the special effects alone are worth the price of a ticket, Eternals is no exception. In fact, it’s easy to say the CGI effects are turned up to 11; not in an over-the-top, doing CGI for the sake of doing CGI way, or to elicit a cheap effect, but instead to help build the atmosphere of this world. It immerses the audience in the fantasy world, helping bring them along for the fun ride.

If you are a comic book fan, or just an all-around fan of sci-fi and action, then Eternals is for you! Keep in mind the action scenes are very, very intense, though they are not graphic, which might be a little much for people who don’t enjoy the feeling of being on the edge of their seat. There are also a lot of flashing lights and loud noises, so anyone sensitive to both should be aware.

Eternals is rated PG-13 for fantasy violence and action, some language, and brief sexuality.

Click here to see showtimes for the Bishop Twin Theater, and here to see showtimes for Minaret Cinemas.

Manuel Ruiz

TIP JAR
Manuel Ruiz is a film maker from Ridgecrest. He has been working on Big Hollywood films such as Django Unchained and The Lone Ranger for more than 10 years.