Hello, Marvel fans and movie enthusiasts!
It is, finally, time to talk about Marvel's Eternals and I cannot stretch this enough, you need to go and watch this movie. The release was on November 4th, 2021 and I -as of today- have gone to the cinema not once, but twice to watch Eternals. Yes, it is good. No, DO NOT listen to the critics. I am here to defend this movie with everything I got. Let's see why, without spoiling anything.
A pretty generic synopsis:
Following the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), an unexpected tragedy forces the Eternals, ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years, out of the shadows to reunite against mankind's most ancient enemy, the Deviants. (from: Marvel Studios)
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2h 36min
Genre: Action, Adventure
My Rating: 9 / 10
Director: Chloé Zhao
Starring: Gemma Chan, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Lauren Ridloff, Lia McHugh, Richard Madden, Ma Dong-seok, Barry Keoghan, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, Kit Harington, Harish Patel
Before we begin, I want to make something clear. All info below is based on the movie Eternals and the MCU. I will sprinkle some details from the comics whenever I find it relevant, but I will not further elaborate on that. So bear in mind before continuing that this is meant to be a movies-fan-friendly review.
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Who are the Eternals
As we learn from the start, the Eternals are beings sent to Earth on the Hombo to protect the human race from the Deviants, preditors that consume intelligent life. Once their mission is over, the Eternals will be called back home to Olympia. They first arrive in Mesopotamia when humans have just started forming what we come to call civilization. As to why they never prevented any of the disasters throughout history or why they didn't help fight Thanos, the answer is simple. Arishem, the celestial who send them to Earth and oversees their mission, strictly instructed them not to interfere in human conflicts, unless Deviants were involved.
The team consists of 10 heroes in total and to make things easier, we could split them into two groups:
The Thinkers:
(from left to right: Sprite, Druig, Ajak, Serci, Phastos)
Although it's not an official name, I think it suits them just fine. The Thinkers of the team are those with more mind-centered skills rather than fighting abilities. Sprite can create illusions and Druig can control the minds of men. Ajak, the leader of the team and the Prime Eternal, has healing abilities and is the only one able to communicate with Arishem. Serci uses matter transmutation, meaning she can change the nature of non-living things, while Phastos is an extraordinary inventor, able to create new technologies from scratch.
The Fighters:
(from left to right: Gilgamesh, Kingo, Ikaris, Thena, Makkari)
This one is pretty self-explanatory. These five are the ones capable of physical combat, the ones in the field protecting humans from the Deviants. Gilgamesh has super strength and Kingo focuses cosmic energy on the tip of his fingers, firing deadly blasts. Ikaris is considered the strongest amongst them, having super strength, being able to fly, and shouting beams of cosmic energy out of his eyes. Thena is their most fierce warrior and she can project and wield any weapon she wishes. Last -but definitely not least-, Makkari is the speedster and she can move faster than the speed of sound.
Now, I know I used the word 'cosmic' a lot. The Eternals use the energy of the cosmos to manifest their powers, thus why they are considered more powerful than the rest of the heroes we have encountered this far in the MCU.
To add to their already pretty fascinating kit, Eternals also don't age. Pretty cool right?
And the story begins...
After thousands of years apart, the otherwordly heroes must come together one last time to feve an unexpected threat. Apparently, they didn't manage to eliminate every Deviant on the planet and now, the monsters have resurfaced once more.
Serci, Sprite and Ikaris begin traveling around the world, searching for the others and finding out some bitter truths as they go. We get to see how these heroes have spent their time on Earth. Little details in their body language and the very clever use of words help us paint a clear picture of their personalities, how they see the world and why they did what they did throughout the course of history.
But the Deviants are not their only enemy. Time runs out for planet Earth and, if they wish to save it, unity is the only option. But are all players playing the same game?
A look at the characters
It is truly amazing to watch all these characters come to life on the big screen, each one of them standing out in a unique and intriguing way. Aside from their mission, the Eternals grow to become a family, and a very dysfunctional one indeed.
Ajak is kind of the mother of this little family. Her power to heal makes her a valuable member of the team, as does her knowledge and the communicative role she plays in keeping Arishem up to date with Earth's events. Her word is not questioned by anyone and her guidance is sought in times of peril. We can see from early on how she cares for everyone, either by using her powers to save them or her words to keep the peace between the Eternals.
Serci is the one closest to the humans out of the ten. She learned their language and gained their trust, helped them in mundane everyday things, just so she could spend more time with them. She is deeply in love with this planet and has grown to call it home. Her compassion and hopeful spirit led her to become a teacher, making her one of the two Eternals to actively try and live just like an ordinary person. As the story proceeds, truths revealed will put her in the middle of things and she will have to make a choice that will either bring calamity or change the world as we know it.
This little pixie is a great storyteller but the eons she has spent on Earth have made her yearn for more than her body allows her to experience. Imagine being alive for more than 7.000 years while being stuck in the body of a kid. Yeap, it is just as disappointing as it sounds. Sprite has feelings she was never able to express and some of them are bound to cause trouble. Kingo says she reminds him of Peter Pan's Tinkerbell. Is that a good thing, or a prophetical comparison?
Oh boy, it's his turn... Now don't get me wrong, Ikaris is the loyal shoulder who will no matter what see their mission carried out. He has spent his life following Ajak and he has unwavering faith in Arishem's plan. In his own way, he is trying to protect those dear to him. He has found love in Serci, his feelings only growing stronger as the centuries go by. The problem for me starts when he leaves Serci. Without a word, the dude simply flew out of the window. 'But Stella, he must have had a reason!' And that reason is exactly what I am getting at. All I will say is: getting our priorities straight can be life-saving.
The one, the only. Kingo is one of those people it's hard not to notice as they enter the room. He is charismatic and funny, lightening up the mood when it starts to get a bit too much to handle. He is complex in that he is both selfless and self-involved at the same time. He cares deeply about his family and will jump in front of any sort of danger in order to protect them. He admires Ikaris and is willing to follow his lead if the occasion arises. What I absolutely love about him is how he does what he believes is right, without forcing his opinion on others.
The goddess of war and protector of Athens is one you do not want to get on the bad side of. Masterfully wielding her weapons and strong-willed, Thena is highly respected among the Eternals. She is fearless and the best partner to have on the battlefield. She appears to be unstoppable, yet everyone has their weakness. As her mind becomes clouded by unexplainable images, Thena begins to lose herself and turns against those she cares about. With her mind turning her into a liability rather than an asset, Thena will have to find her way out of the dark if she wishes to stand victorious against her enemies.
Gilgamesh is just precious. He is the protector of the group, never once leaving Thena's side and helping her cope with the voices inside her head. He is an excellent cook -yes it is part of his charm- and most of the others seek out his advice. If you ask me, he could easily defeat Ikaris in combat. He is an excellent fighter and has a heart of gold. Funny, witty and capable of handling his own, he is there to remind us how important it is to protect what we hold dear.
I solemnly swear I will not let my feelings for this precious beanie get in the way of giving objective feedback. My new comfort character, I- I mean Druig is a softie with a hard exterior. He is the first to walk away after the destruction of the Deviants, unable to stand by any longer and watch the humans harm their own. I do believe he thinks of himself as somewhat superior, he even says he once thought of possessing the mind of every human on the planet (yes, he can do that and yes, I am impressed). Yet he finds their best qualities can only exist despite their greatest flaws. In his way, he is protecting his little clan, who has been living away from the influence of the outside world. Now, when I tell you this boy melts at the sight of Makkari, I mean it (my dark little heart lives and breaths for that romance).
Here is the best character in the movie. That's all you need to know... Just kidding, I will never pass on an opportunity to talk about her. Ever. Makkari traveled all around the world before deciding it was time to catch up with her TBR list. We find her in the Hombo, piles of treasures around her. She has a thing for art and has collected many trinkets throughout the years. She misses her home but values her time alone. She is pure and brilliant. Yes, I am in love. Yes, she is also my new comfort character. Goes hand in hand with the beanie above, it's canon and who am I to protest.
The greatest inventor to ever walk the Earth, Phastos is the one -in my opinion- humankind let down the hardest. He worked and worked to invent new machines to help them progress faster, until what he helped create caused one of the world's greatest destructions in history. Many years passed until his faith in humans was restored but he now sees hope in the eyes of his little son. Sensitive and true to who he is, when the tides turn Phastos is there to protect those he cares about no matter the consequences.
And the movie is great because?
Now that the basics are out of the way, let me tell you why this movie is one of the greats in the MCU.
After the events of Endgame, we have been asking ourselves, what will be the next great threat our favourite heroes will have to phase? The Eternals are the beginning of expanding the MCU as we know it. We are talking about beings millions of years old and the very birth of galaxies. We learn about how life came to be on the planet, how new life will begin to grow in other parts of the universe and the dire consequences in case Arishem's plan fails.
To help you understand things a little better, I will have to shortly refer to the comic but I promise not to spoil a thing!
Arishem the Judge is one of the Celestials, ancient beings responsible for the creation of new galaxies. He is the one to guide the Eternals on their missions and is working towards the creation of new Celestials.
So Celectials = New Galaxies = New Planets = New Life. Simple enough?
So now connect the cosmogony introduced in Eternals with the events of Loki, the upcoming Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and the promised Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 and you have an idea of just how much this movie helps build for the next phase of the MCU.
But let's take it down a notch and fly back to Earth for a while. The Eternals as I mentioned before are a family. The dynamic between the characters is simply magnificent. We have strong romantic relationships and friendships, we experience loss and the characters' inner struggles as they proceed to follow their hearts.
Life's driving forces lead us to a roller coaster of emotions. Love versus Duty. Doubt versus Belief.
The storyline is told in present and past, helping us understand better both the importance of the Eternals' presence on Earth, but their personalities and core values as well.
But aside from the above, in the end, it all comes down to the people behind the characters and the crew behind the camera. Chloé Zhao is an incredible director. She masterfully combined the storytelling with the showcase of each character individually, one complementing the other instead of overshadowing it. The action sequences are incredible and the jaw-dropping special effects only add to the magic. In every interview I've watched, the cast will always find the opportunity to praise Zhao, both for her skills but also, for her character. She encouraged all actors to be as true to themselves as possible and that authenticity transcends to the screen. You can feel what the characters feel, their 'moments' speak to you louder than words. They feel real. And that is one of the greater qualities of the movie. There is also balance between the action and the inevitable info dumb, which makes the movie all the more enjoyable.
A big applause we owe to the choreographers and costume designers. The fight sequences, as I mentioned before, were stunning. From the streets of London to the Amazon to the Canari Islands, each battle is easy to follow and just as stunning. From the everyday clothes to their hero set up, each character's style adds to their personality in a settle but important way. Although I am far from an excerpt, if you look at the design of the individual suits, we can both agree it needed hours upon hours to complete them and give a thumbs up to the team for their patience and persistence in making their vision come to life.
Now, this move is a big thing for the MCU but it has also a big impact on Holywood as well. This move is an anthem to inclusivity and freedom.
The cast and crew diversity! Have you ever seen so many different heroes in the same movie? No? Yeah, I didn't think so. Diversity in ethnicity, sexual preference, religion, gender equality, it is all celebrated both on and off screen.
The first DEAF superhero! That's right! Lauren Ridloff plays Makkari and both actress and hero are deaf. This is the first time we see such a character in a superhero movie in any universe and if you think it is not a reason to celebrate, think again. This can open the door to more people with disabilities all around the spectrum to be cast in more movies. And just imagine the little kids all around the world finally seeing themselves on the big screen!
The first cannon LGBTQ+ couple! One of the reasons Phastos has a special place in my heart is that he is a proud father and a proud husband. Haaz Sleiman portraits Ben, Phastos's husband, who also happens to be Arab. A married gay couple of people of color has adopted a son. And although this should have been normalized in the cinema and TV ages ago, it is a huge step! The movie has been banned from many countries in the East simply because of the LGBTQ+ rep, yet Marvel refused to cut those scenes out. And that, to me, means there is hope.
Interracial couples are a thing. Oh yes, in case you haven't noticed, we still leave in a society that frowns upon interracial relationships. Awful, right? Well, Ikaris and Serci, Serci and Dane, Makkari and Druig. Here you go.
Gender-bent characters to bring more women into the cast. Ajak, Sprite and Makkari in the comics are white men. Not only were the roles gender bent, but two of them were given to women of color to portray and they have done an extraordinary job!
Mental health representation. Although Thena's troubles are not exactly a mental disorder, the way they are portrayed and treated is simply spot on to how real mental illnesses work. And it is lovely to see not only how we can work with your illness and learn how to cope but to also realize people are not -and should not- going to abandon us because of it.
But this movie...
Time to get real. I have read many reviews and the reasons behind some of the lowest ratings are nothing short of laughable.
'It is nothing like the comics.'
Yeah, no shit Sherlock. The comics have so many variants. The same character appears in so many storylines. They couldn't possibly combine everything in one movie. Plus, let's remind everyone the comics came out during 1976. They are no longer relatable to modern audiences, they don't represent what the people of this century go through, how they live nor what they fight for. So yes, thank the gods above the movie is nothing like the comics.
'Those characters were white! Do you hear me? WHITE!'
Take your white privilege and shove it up your... Okay, bye!
'It is inappropriate for children to watch the gays!'
So is it to have idiots for parents but that didn't stop you from bringing a child into the world Carren. But let me guess, no objections to the sex scene, right?
'They made those characters women. It is not accurate!'
Get the hell out of my blog, I'm tired.
'Oh wow. Thena and her mental health issues. Just stop trying so hard to be relatable to anxtie teens.'
No matter if you are a Steve or a Carren, it is clear to you are struggling. Denial is indeed tough to get through. Do you want my therapist's number, darling? I bet you have a lot to talk about.
'It is appropriating-'
Let me stop you right there. 2/10 Eternals, Thena and Phastos carry names belonging to the Ancient Greek gods. Ajax, Ikaris and Serci are all Greek mythological figures. I am Greek. This movie didn't drag my country's history through the mud like most of the Hollywood movies out there have. It wasn't disrespectful, not one bit. Now, I would have agreed with you if they had done something horrid, like, I don't know, portray Achilles as a straight man, for example. Do you see where I am getting at?
Kingo most likely comes from Kingu and the god can be traced all the way back to the Babylonian mythology. Gilgamesh was a God worshiped by the Sumerians. Sprites are fairy-like creatures in European mythology, and Nymphs (Greek water spirits) are referred to as sprites.
I see this as a homage to the ancient civilizations of this world that paved the way for us. Nothing in this movie disrespects any part of history, or any culture, ethnicity, or religion.
Personal Highlights
It is fangirl time, so bear with me!
"My beautiful, beautiful Makkari."
These two are the sweetest thing EVER. I didn't like the love story of Ikaris and Serci from the get-go but these two? These two need protecting. She is deaf and he is a telepath, and they are so pure and cute together, and NOT TOXIC, and if this is not a match made in heaven I don't know what is (and gods be my witnesses, I never believed I'd fangirl so hard over a heterosexual couple in my life). Watch the scene on the beach during the final battle and try to tell me you didn't feel that scream. TRY!
2. "I wouldn't change a thing about who I am."
The sheer power of that phrase. The determination and recognition of the worth of one's self. The whole scene is very emotional and delivers a big plot twist and accents the character dynamics even more but that phrase was so powerful, it had me in tears. The message is clear and yet so many of us still struggle to find the strength to utter those words. Empowering and true to its core, it is undoubtedly one of the best lines in the movie.
3. "I refuse to hurt any of you for my beliefs."
Say it louder for the people in the back. Please. I have never seen anyone say that on the big screen. Ever. They might have kind of acted like it but never properly said it. Yes, words have power. That is why we anylise literature, take apart dialogues from movies and series, that's why we should think before speaking. Just imagine if common sense was a thing all around the globe. Oh, what a world would that be.
4. Special effects team needs a round of applause.
Marvel is well known for the amazing effects and this movie did not disappoint! I loved the colours, the transitions, and how wonderfully they crafted the body movements of the Deviants and our heroes during the fight scenes.
And speaking of fight scenes.
Thena is seen multiple times throughout the movie changing weapons as she fights and it is so cool to watch. In the close-up shots like the ones above, you can see the details of her weapons so clearly! The design is amazing. What is more fascinating is the frame to frame work and how effortlessly you can see her switch between weapons. I don't want to even try and fathom how many hours the team spent in the making of those scenes but it was definitely worth it!
Overall
Please give this movie the chance and see for yourself if it is worth it. That is the whole goal of this article, to make you think 'okay, maybe the critics were not right about this'. In my opinion, they were not. Inclusivity and representation are things we need to talk about every day, until this world we live in finally realizes it should be the default setting at all times. So yes, hype the movie for the deaf rep, and the LGBTQ+ rep, and the POC rep, and the mental health rep. Hype it!
Hype it because it's a movie where heroes stick to what they think is right but refuse to hurt others in the process. Hype it because self-love is the ultimate superpower. Hype it because it is about dysfunctional families, friendships and love stories.
If you don't end up liking the plot or the characters, that's absolutely fine. But please, don't shut it down because racists, homophobes and misogynists decided to drag it through the mud.
If you end up watching the movie, I will be excited to talk about it with you! Feel free to leave a message here or DM me on Instagram! Thank you for reading this looong blog post and I will see you soon!
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