When a filmmaker who comes from the most authorial or intimate projects, having directed small budget feature films and with artistic intentions above all, accepts the commission of a superproduction with spectacular fight sequences, it is logical that one wonders if he will be able to fulfill what is waiting for your job. Is what could happen with Cate Shortland for Black widow or now, let’s go, with the china Chloé zhao, that you wanted to do Eternals (2021), the new movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
There is no doubt that getting involved in a work of such commercial magnitude, due to the great interest of the public for the franchise to which it belongs, provides unbeatable visibility. And, if you get a decent film at least, you show that you can take care of what they throw at you, and win the confidence of the producers for the future. But it is that oriental narrator, after two independent dramas like Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2017) and The Rider (2017), I had already struck the bell with other: Nomadland (2020).
She began by taking the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, then she was the winner at the Globes of the same element and, as a final touch, at the Oscars and BAFTAs. But Chloé Zhao had been chosen to shoot Eternals before these important accolades put skyrocketing your professional credentialsSo they just helped executive producer Kevin Feige and company congratulate themselves on their decision in advance.
Chloé Zhao hasn’t made ‘Eternals’ a fast-paced movie
Having had the opportunity to see the adventure in which they introduce us to the Eternals of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we can confirm their right to congratulate themselves as well. a posteriori. Because this feature length is a very decent installment of the series, with an attractive story, enriching contributions to the puzzle of its superhero panorama and the action sensational usual. But these statements then need certain nuances.
We can’t say that Eternals be a fast-paced movie. In that sense, it is very far from such dynamic stories Like the ones of The Avengers (Joss Whedon, 2012), Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Civil war, Avengers: Infinity War or Endgame (Joe and Anthony Russo, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019). Most of his footage has devoted himself to the development of dramatic intrigue and relationships affectionate or conflictive, unopposed, of the characters.
Viewers who love the super-powerful mess can rest assured that they won’t miss the fireworks that characterize the adventures of their favorite superheroes at all; here, those of the Eternals. But they must understand that Chloé Zhao’s own involvement in the libretto of Eternals, collaborating with screenwriters Patrick Burleigh (Peter Rabbit 2), Ryan and Kaz Firpo (Mean), means that the weight of the narrative construction falls on the tribulations of its fictional beings. As in his independent works.
From here to the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Audiovisual composition, on the other hand, does not dazzle at any time but is competent; and the same happens with the soundtrack of Ramin Djawadi and its echoes to that of Game of Thrones (David Benioff and DB Weiss, 2011-2019) and with the interpretations of its stellar cast.
From Gemma Chan’s (Captain Marvel) and Richard Madden (Rocketman) in the skin of Sersei and Ikaris, passing through that of Angelina Jolie (Beowulf) and Ma Dong-seok (Train to Busan) such as Thena and Gilgamesh, to Brian Tyree Henry (Joker) and Lia McHugh (The sinister cabin) of Phastos and Sprinte. Or Lauren Ridloff’s (The walking dead), Barry Keoghan (Dunkirk) and Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley) embodying Makkari, Druig and Kingo and Salma Hayek (Traffic), Kit Harington (Criminal) or Harish Patel (The Driver) like Ajak, Dane Whitman and Karun.
Humor is not high-flying. And for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe who are more impatient, or with a greater reluctance to elaborate the characters, it may be a bit boring. Those without any problem with this matter and, especially, if it is something that they value, will leave the cinema satisfied. But, in no way, very shocked by the experience.
Eternals is simmered with a structure of flashbacks and several good plot twists and, in the last section, there is an outbreak full of indisputable coherence that leaves us wanting to know more. And, from here, to the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
