Marvel (Iman Vellani) is the best hope for the future of this increasingly troubled superhero franchise.
A dying sun that’s the very first image to appear on screen duringThe Marvels.
(A recent report fromVarietydigs into all those nitty-gritties.)
Iman Vellani, Brie Larson, and Teyonah Parris in ‘The Marvels.'.Laura Radford/Marvel Studios
The goal ofThe Marvels, therefore, is to reignite this supernova.
Whether the movie succeeds or fails in this mission will depend on how audiences respond.
The very premise ofThe Marvelsreflects the complicated continuity of the modern MCU.
Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel in ‘The Marvels.'.Marvel Studios
Carol is also relatively bland as the centerpiece.
Even viewers who haven’t watchedMs.
As that sequence makes clear, meeting Captain Marvel is Ms. Marvel’s greatest dream.
DirectorNia DaCostafinds some genuinely interesting dynamics between the three of them.
Kamala dearly wants to impress her idol but faces consequences every time she uses her powers.
Meanwhile, Monica was once a young girl who similarly lionized Captain Marvel before becoming disillusioned.
(Ashton even sports a similar haircut as Larson.)
It’s a sobering step backward for the franchise.
The Marvelswas originally scheduled for earlier this year, and then got delayed like so many recent tentpole films.
As a result, parts of the movie (especially the third act) feel a little slapped together.
But for all those weaknesses, there is Kamala Khan.
If anyone can get this dormant sun shining again, it’s her.Grade: B-
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