The Marvel Cinematic Universe introduces an almost entirely new ensemble in Eternals (2021). Kicking off in 5000 BC where ten Eternals are sent to Earth, ostensibly to protect humans from a race of destructive Deviants, the film flits across the ages as the immortal aliens do their best to aid and safeguard mankind.
All told, the Eternals are Ajak, Sersi, Ikaris, Kingo, Sprite, Phastos, Makkari, Druig, Gilgamesh, and Thena. Each imbued with a varied set of superpowers, the Eternals are led by Ajak who in turn answers to the Celestial Arishem.
When the last of the Deviants are killed, the Eternals are free to live their apparently endless lives as they wait for Arishem to call them home to Olympia. As some Eternals become Bollywood stars, fall in love, start families and a cult, the Deviants return yet instead of hunting humans, theyve seemingly graduated to hunting Eternals.
Somewhat convoluted, sometimes thinly drawn, yet ambitious in its wrangling of ten different characters, Eternals is often beautifully directed by Chloé Zhao (Nomadland, 2020).
Starring a deliciously diverse and impressive cast of Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Madden, Lauren Ridloff, Lia McHugh, Don Lee and Barry Keoghan, Eternals looks great but goes on a little long as it moralises and waxes philosophical about the human race.
A typical Marvel film inasmuch as it has the requisite conflicted and wise cracking heroes, its apparent villains and some big, bad, mass casualty event looming over some striking action sequences, Eternals feels a little loftier, is shot more delicately and takes a step or two in an inclusive direction in its depiction of the black inventor and LGBTQ+ superhero Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) and the deaf, superfast Makarri (Lauren Ridloff).
Set after Thanos snap and the ensuing Blip, Eternals hints at its link to other films in the MCU but is also a cosmic world of its own. Dive in, if you dont mind Marvel doing things a little differently. The cast is stellar, the ideas are big and the mid and post-credit scenes are promising.
Want to win a movie ticket to see Eternals (2021) or a movie of your choice at Ster-Kinekor? Simply answer the following question: Who directed Eternals (2021)? Send your full name, cellphone number and your answer to weekender@namibian.com.na.
–martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
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