While familiar with many of Marvel’s characters, some were previously unknown to me. Guardians of the Galaxy and Shang-Chi are two examples, and the third is the immortal Eternals, a concept I was entirely unfamiliar with. Consequently, the announcement of a film about them, premiering so soon after Shang-Chi and the legend of the ten rings, came as a surprise.
The Eternals are a group of super-powered individuals who arrived on Earth approximately 7000 years ago. Their primary mission is to defend humanity from monstrous beings known as Deviants. Crucially, the Eternals are forbidden from directly interfering in human history, explaining their relative obscurity until now. With the Deviants resurfacing and threatening the entire planet, the Eternals must now act to safeguard Earth.
One of the film’s key strengths lies in its visual presentation. Eternals boasts impressive cinematography and special effects, resulting in a visually stunning experience. The digital Deviants are well-rendered and compelling, contributing to realistic and engaging action sequences. Additionally, the reunion of Richard Madden (Robb Stark) and Kit Harrington (Jon Snow) from Game of Thrones adds a layer of intrigue for fans of that series.
However, Eternals suffers from an excessive runtime of two and a half hours. The narrative’s scope and complexity might have been better served by a serialized television format. With 7000 years of history, numerous character introductions, and a central plot to address, the film’s length becomes problematic. While some sequences feel rushed, others are drawn out unnecessarily, creating an uneven pacing. The selection of Oscar-winning indie director Chloé Zhao (Nomadland) may not have been ideally suited to this format.
Another significant issue with Eternals is its limited connection to the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite the global stakes, none of the established heroes appear or intervene during the film’s climactic events. While name-dropped, their absence is conspicuous. Even a series like Peacemaker more effectively integrates itself into its respective universe. The Eternals’ inaction during events like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, attributed to their non-interference directive, feels somewhat contrived, especially considering their numerous interventions throughout their 7000-year history. While incorporating new characters into the MCU presents challenges, Eternals struggles to establish a coherent connection. An alternative approach might have been to set the narrative in a separate universe, capitalizing on the established multi-verse concepts explored in other films and TV series.
The picture quality on the Blu-ray edition is solid, featuring well-defined blacks and showcasing the film’s impressive photography with vibrant colors and intricate details. The audio mix, however, is relatively low, requiring a volume adjustment to achieve an adequate listening level. While acceptable, the soundscape could benefit from greater overall impact. The Blu-ray includes several informative documentaries and a commentary track. Eternals is also available on Disney+, where the picture appears slightly darker and less detailed. Conversely, the audio quality is improved, and the option to view the film in IMAX format is available. However, Disney+ lacks the supplemental materials found on the Blu-ray release.
In conclusion, Eternals ultimately delivers a mixed experience. While stylish, well-acted, and featuring some compelling scenes, the film is hampered by various shortcomings. The end credits introduce characters slated for significant roles in future installments (should they materialize). While the initial character reveal is underwhelming, with a CGI-rendered sidekick that leaves much to be desired, the subsequent character, whose voice is only heard, presents a potentially intriguing development. Therefore, viewers are encouraged to watch through the end credits.
Disney provided review copies for this analysis. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence, and we maintain objectivity in our reviews, prioritizing the interests of our readers and consumers.
