For 7000 years a group of immortal beings known as 'Eternals' have lived among us in secret. Sent here by the Celestial Arishem, they have been charged with protecting the human race from monsters known as the 'Deviants'. And while they are encouraged to aid in our development, the Eternals are not allowed to interfere in any conflict that does not involve these Deviants. Our secret protectors have seen us at our best and absolute worst, and in their time here, some of them have become disillusioned with their role. But with the Deviant threat re-emerging, it's time to get the band back together.
As Marvel Studios moves into Phase 4 of its cinematic universe, the powers that be are looking to change things up a little, and Eternals is a big part of that plan. Chloé Zhao's first entry into the MCU marks a bold new direction for the franchise. The Oscar-winning filmmaker and her team have drawn inspiration from the work of Eternals creator Jack Kirby in order to create something that's bright, colourful and visually stunning. By favouring location shoots over green screen, Zhao brings an almost tangibility to proceedings. Granted it's still undeniably Marvel, but it's also a sign that what comes next will not just be Phases 1-3 all over again. Ultimately however, Zhao has made a movie about family, albeit a rather dysfunctional family, the members of which have pretty much avoided each other for several thousand years - and you thought the Avengers struggled to get along.
Seeing them reunite is as intriguing as it is hilarious, with their reunion serving as our introduction to this epic ensemble. But this is not an origin story in the traditional sense. Between the sometimes tense - often comical - reunions and a few glimpses into the past, we quickly learn why they no longer live together. Needless to say, the cast perfectly capture the big family dynamic - or should that be dysfunction? Either way, our new heroes share a fun chemistry from pretty much the moment they appear on screen. Gilgamesh (Don Lee) and Thena (Angelina Jolie) especially. Seeing the pair together is particularly heart-warming.
The introduction of any new character - or in this case, many characters - inevitably requires a little background information, and Eternals comes with quite a bit. In fact, its 2 hour 37 minute runtime (this is the second longest MCU movie) is fairly packed with exposition. But there is an interesting theme of identity and purpose running through the movie. It seems that even after 7000 years these new heroes are still questioning their purpose here on Earth, as they attempt to figure out who they truly are. All the while, their mortal enemies are going through something similar. These beautifully designed creatures really are like nothing we’ve seen in the MCU before (heroes or villains). However, where the Eternals’ struggles take centre stage, the Deviants’ equally interesting arc is left annoyingly unexplored.
Fair to say Eternals is as much about inner conflict as it is the Deviant threat. But whereas the encounters with the Deviants produce some fun action scenes in which the team utilise their unique abilities to protect us mere mortals, it's the battles within the group that really draw you in. Their opinions on how to handle this new threat - and us - are well fleshed out and as varied as their abilities. What makes things really interesting is that arguably they are all right, to a degree at least. Which is why, despite only having scratched the surface with these new characters, it’s exciting that they will be driving the MCU in an entirely new direction - even if we have no idea which direction that is.
Chloé Zhao hasn’t simply brought us the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s next movie, she has given the franchise an entirely new direction. Eternals is a fun and action-packed superhero movie with an emotional family story at its heart. And the possibilities as to where this family might go are endless.
9/10
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