by As a passionate 25-year-old movie blogger with five years of experience analyzing superhero films and the evolving cinematic universe, I went into The Marvels with cautious optimism. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has had its ups and downs, and with every new phase, the bar seems to shift. Unfortunately, The Marvels felt more like a stumble than a step forward. Still, amidst the confusion and chaos, there are moments of genuine fun and connection worth discussing.
Plot Confusion from the Start
One of the biggest issues with The Marvels is how it alienates viewers who haven’t done their homework. To fully understand what’s happening in this film, audiences are expected to have watched not only the original Captain Marvel (2019), but also the Ms. Marvel and WandaVision series on Disney+. That’s a tall order for casual fans. Without this prior knowledge, the first 30 minutes can feel disjointed and overly complex.
The movie begins with Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) dealing with a universal anomaly that connects her powers with Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani). Each time they use their powers, they switch places – a concept that’s cool in theory but inconsistently executed. This idea had the potential to add a fresh dynamic to superhero teamwork, but it ends up feeling like a gimmick more than a meaningful plot device.
Character Strengths and Weaknesses
Let’s talk about the performances. Brie Larson, who once won an Academy Award, is given very little depth to work with. Her version of Carol Danvers lacks emotional connectivity, making it difficult to root for her. While her character is written as strong and stoic, it comes off as cold and distant, especially in contrast to the lively Kamala Khan.
Kamala, played wonderfully by Iman Vellani, is the highlight of the film. She brings genuine enthusiasm, quirky charm, and a relatable teenage perspective. Her family adds warmth and humor, grounding the movie with much-needed human moments. Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapoor, and Sagar Shaikh as Kamala’s parents and brother provide the kind of familial comedy that works well in a crowded narrative.
Monica Rambeau’s character, meanwhile, is underutilized. She has a complicated relationship with Carol that is barely explored. There’s potential for emotional weight and conflict here, but it’s glossed over in favor of flashy visuals and hurried plot points.
A Disappointing Villain and Generic Stakes
No MCU film is complete without a villain, and The Marvels gives us Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), a Kree warrior with a revenge plan that’s as generic as it gets. Her motivations are weak, her screen time is minimal, and her presence doesn’t evoke any real threat. It’s another reminder that Marvel struggles with creating compelling antagonists outside of a few standouts like Thanos, Killmonger, and Loki.
There’s a strange subplot involving a planet where everyone sings instead of speaks, which feels like it was pulled from a completely different genre. It’s a bold choice, but it doesn’t mesh well with the rest of the story. Then there’s the inclusion of alien cats (called Flerkens) that swallow people whole. While these scenes provide comic relief, they also feel like the filmmakers leaned too heavily on oddball humor to distract from the film’s structural weaknesses.
Visuals and Action: A Mixed Bag
On a technical level, The Marvels delivers a few exciting action sequences. The fight scenes where the trio switches places mid-battle are innovative and visually engaging. However, these moments are rare, and much of the CGI feels rushed or uninspired. There’s a lack of scale and spectacle compared to earlier MCU entries.
Director Nia DaCosta, who previously impressed with Candyman (2021), seems restricted here. The film lacks her unique voice and instead feels like it was directed by committee – a common critique of many recent Marvel projects.
The Girl Power Message: Misfired Execution
The film clearly aims to celebrate female empowerment, with a trio of strong women leading the charge. Unfortunately, it doesn’t give them enough compelling material to truly shine. Representation matters, but it has to be backed by strong storytelling. In trying to make a point, the movie loses sight of crafting meaningful character arcs. Kamala is the only one who feels fully realized; the others are just along for the ride.
This isn’t about criticizing a “girl power” message – it’s about demanding better for female superheroes. Wonder Woman (2017) and even Black Widow (2021) offered nuanced, powerful portrayals. In comparison, The Marvels feels like a rushed group project.
Audience Reaction and Where This Leaves the MCU
For longtime MCU fans, The Marvels might feel like filler content – a placeholder between bigger and better stories. It doesn’t move the overarching narrative forward in a meaningful way, and it fails to introduce any game-changing elements. Even the post-credits scene, which hints at the X-Men universe, feels tacked on rather than earned.
It’s disappointing because Marvel once had a reputation for telling tightly woven stories with compelling characters. Lately, though, quantity seems to have overtaken quality. Audiences are no longer guaranteed greatness, and that’s a problem for a franchise that used to set the gold standard.
Final Verdict: 2.5 out of 5 Stars
The Marvels had potential. The core idea of power-swapping could’ve made for an exciting, original superhero film. Kamala Khan is a breakout star with a bright future in the MCU. But poor character development, an unmemorable villain, a disjointed plot, and inconsistent pacing drag this movie down. Brie Larson deserves better. So do we.
If you’re a hardcore fan, it might be worth a watch – especially to stay updated with Marvel continuity. But if you’re looking for a standalone superhero film with heart, humor, and depth, you might leave the theater disappointed.
If you’re interested in reading more blogs like this, click here
