The first impressions for The Marvels have hit the internet, and while for some the Marvel Studios flick that soars by the might of its trio of heroes, for others that chemistry is brought down by some wider issues
Nia DaCosta’s The Marvels showcases Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) stepping into a team of her own alongside Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani); early social media reactions are largely divided on whether or not the film can overcome some pacing and plotting issues with a sense of fun. Vellani’s enthusiasm and earnest portrayal of Kamala also earned very high praise, as did the dynamic between Kamala, Danvers and Rambeau.
Check out what critics and pop culture commentators have to say, including my own thoughts on behalf of io9.
Nia DaCosta’s #TheMarvels is a fun cosmic chase across the stars with exciting new directions for our heroes. It’s an endearing smartly contained tight story about found family. Ms. Marvel is the standout with Iman Vellani as every Marvel fan’s proxy. Parris and Larson shine.
— Sabina Graves (@SabinaHasNoR) November 8, 2023
#TheMarvels is so much fun — wholesome and wacky and joyful and moving, with some really inspired, inspiring sequences that more than make up for occasionally iffy plotting. It also restores something desperately needed in the MCU: hope for what comes next. ✨ pic.twitter.com/ulSY4SiJAn
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) November 8, 2023
THE MARVELS … on the positive side Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel is a lot of fun. But plot decisions felt like they were just made up as they went. (A lot of, “Oh just do that.” “I can do that?” “Sure.”)
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) November 8, 2023
#TheMarvels has some stellar scenes and a few good moments of chemistry between the leads, but is overall an overwrought, incoherent, and mediocre patchwork mess that doesn’t do any of of the titular heroes justice. Full review coming soon for @TheNewArab. pic.twitter.com/i4efneS4aS
— Swara A.S. (سوارە) Free🇵🇸and🇦🇲 (@spiderswarz) November 8, 2023
The Marvels is a delightful space romp with a welcome injection of fun hijinks, musical numbers(?!), and girl power for the MCU while setting the stage for a thrilling next phase. As always, Iman Vellani is perfection. pic.twitter.com/dekvk9UN7g
— Carly Lane-Perry (@carlylane) November 8, 2023
#TheMarvels is a fun movie w/ Iman Vellani's Kamala being the highlight of the film. The fight scenes were fun. It has cheesy, whimsical moments and plots that seem out of place. It also suffers from the same villain issue & some CGI problems.
— Laura ลอร'า 劳拉 🍥 (@lsirikul) November 8, 2023
#TheMarvels is very engaging and enjoyable for the most part. It moves with purpose and doesn’t feel overloaded. Some quibbles (mainly concerning the villain) but worth it for the interaction between the three leads. 7.5/10 pic.twitter.com/LrD91C4Hip
— Collier “CJ” Jennings (@CJWritesThings) November 8, 2023
If you don't like #TheMarvels then you hate fun and I don't want to be friends with you.
It's a beautiful space-hopping adventure, with glorious characters i love. And yes, if you only care about what happens next rather than the movie you're watching, you'll be rewarded. pic.twitter.com/GiDZnsMpAB— Dirk (Universe) Libbey (@ThemeParkDirk) November 8, 2023
#TheMarvels is the latest in the MCU's string of passable superhero movies. Like Ant-Man 3 and Thor 4, it is more focused on laughs than character development. Iman Vellani is the highlight while Brie Larson and Teyonah Parris are good but don't have a lot to do. pic.twitter.com/1esC1cjW2N
— Alex Maidy (@electricmaidy) November 8, 2023
Iman Vellani is the standout of the cast. She has a tough character lift as the one person who WANTS a team-up and has no history with these heroes, but her ability to be watchable with genuine positivity no matter what the plot needs her to do is fantastic.
— Da7e Gonzales (@Da7e) November 8, 2023
#TheMarvels is a marked improvement from the other releases this year, but it still missed a few marks. It was the most fun I’ve had with Marvel in a while and that was mainly because of Kamala and her family. There’s some fun stuff that I’m definitely excited for pic.twitter.com/2tNzGpZNgU
— Moises Mendez II (@MoisesFenty) November 8, 2023
#TheMarvels is goofy and sweet and surprising! It does what this franchise does best: character. There’s like three sequences that are by themselves more entertaining than entire superhero movies. And the intergalactic stakes are focused! Women!
— Leah Marilla Thomas (@leahmarilla) November 8, 2023
#TheMarvels shines when Nia DaCosta is able to lean into the emotions of the characters & embrace the silliness of it all. The 3 leads are great. Otherwise, it’s more of the same – bogged down by the weight of its own universe, with a lackluster script & generic villain. pic.twitter.com/xxJqcL3XSA
— Sydney🚀 (@CountVolpe) November 8, 2023
Despite everyone on screen trying their best, #TheMarvels feels like it lost its battle in the editing room.
Scenes don't flow into each other & you can't tell when the first act or second act begins. There's a few really dope scenes but studio interference might be to blame.
— Andrew J. Salazar (@AndrewJ626) November 8, 2023
Iman Vellani can do no wrong. Give her the keys to the MCU. #TheMarvels
— Brian Davids (@PickYourBrian) November 8, 2023
The Marvels opens in theaters this Friday—stay tuned for a full review on io9 soon!
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
