When I told a friend I was going to see The Marvels on Wednesday night, she thought I meant a Motown girl group on a reunion tour. If only.
Instead, it’s the 33rd Salvo from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a fictional sequel to Captain Marvel (2019), although girl power is the theme of a film specifically designed to appeal to teenyboppers.
Any kids who rushed to see “Barbie” without knowing that it was an adult satire can feel at ease with this film, especially if they have watched all the episodes of “Ms Marvel” on Disney+.
The title character from this TV series, beautifully played by Iman Vellani, plays a major role here.
You can almost hear the Disney money men lashing back at the idea of a two-pronged incursion into the hearts, minds and pockets of teenagers.
“The Marvels” is the 33rd salvo from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a fictional sequel to Captain Marvel (2019).
“You can almost hear the Disney money men pushing back at the idea of a two-pronged intrusion into the hearts, minds and pockets of teenagers,” says Brian Viner
Samuel L. Jackson (pictured) reprises his role as Nick Fury in The Marvels.
The three protagonists join forces to fight against militant Kree warriors, led by another muscular woman, Dar-Benn, played by British actress Zawe Ashton (pictured center) as a rather politely evil one.
Ms. Marvel’s earthly name is Kamala Khan. She’s a schoolgirl from suburban New Jersey who happens to have superpowers, much to the amazement of her parents, played for (always fewer) laughs by Zenobia Shroff and Mohan Kapur.
They are even more frightened when Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and her once estranged protégé Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) come together in the family living room.
From there (with the help of dozens of mutant cats, of course) they kidnap Kamala into space to fight militant Kree warriors led by another muscular woman, Dar-Benn (played as a rather suavely evil one by British actress Zawe Ashton ).
A decidedly perfunctory plot that seems to bore even Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is driven by urgent exclamations such as: “It appears that the climb had a residual effect on the jump point!”
Lines like this always give me pause, but seemed to make perfect sense to those around me at Cineworld Leicester Square on Wednesday.
They also loved the cats and the planet where everyone talks in songs and all of director Nia DaCosta’s other whimsical flourishes, which, despite their desperation, at least had the virtue of being contained in an hour and 45 minutes. . which, to be fair, had a positive residual effect on my own jumping point.
I can’t think of a single other MCU film that has ever gotten me to the Bakerloo Line before 9:30 p.m.