Thursday, November 4, 2021

Why Eternals' Reviews Are So Mixed | Screen Rant

Although the MCU has enjoyed near-universal critical success, since its release, Eternals has been beset by incredibly mixed reviews. While many critics have praised some aspects of the movie for taking Marvel in a bold new direction, others have felt that Eternals as a whole fails to deliver the kind of cohesive, engaging narrative that audiences have come to expect from the franchise. As a result, Eternals has received several bad reviews, in stark contrast to many previous Marvel productions.

Unlike previous Marvel ensemble features, the Eternals cast introduces an entirely new and extensive raft of superheroes. The 10 members of the Eternals team includes fighters like Thena, Ikaris and Gilgamesh, alongside more mystical figures such as Sersi and Sprite. The result is arguably Marvel's most diverse ever movie line-up with the majority of characters never before appearing on screen. Over the course of the drama, the Eternals team up to fight against their sworn enemies, the Deviants, while grappling with their directive to not interfere directly in the affairs of humans. This causes them to question their role as they battle to save a planet that they have grown to love.

Related: Does Eternals Have A Post-Credits Scene (& How Many)?

Perhaps because it has attempted to pursue a bold new direction within the MCU, Eternals' reviews have been very mixed. Despite boasting an impressive array of talent both in front and behind the camera – including Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao – many critics feel that the movie's overly long and occasionally clunky story-telling fail to match the soaring ambition of its plot and themes. A consistent criticism, for instance, is that while Eternals diversity and complex philosophical questions are a definite plus point, the wider narrative is dull, baggy and ultimately unoriginal. With a runtime of 2 hours and 37 minutes, many feel that the film ultimately fails to entertain, despite sporadic moments of wonder. Here's what many of Eternal's critics are saying:

Chicago Tribune:

"This movie is more risk-prone than the majority of Marvel titles. Yet it frustrates, even beyond a screenplay full of self-competing interests. And as far as MCU fatigue goes - well, at this point, it goes pretty far."

Houston Chronicle:

"Eternals makes history as the most diverse superhero movie in terms of race, gender, orientation, age and abilities...and that's remarkable...But that doesn't change the fact that they're stuck in a story that's dull and predictable."

RogerEbert.com:

"A blockbuster of unusual gentle beauty that also strains to fulfill the gargantuan requirements of a massive action spectacle."

However, despite the many issues some reviewers have with Eternals failings, many others feel that the film's move away from the standard Marvel template is actually a successful gamble. Although the movie certainly stands apart from the rest of the MCU, many critics argue that this actually helps it to become a more enjoyable cinematic experience. Here are some of the more positive Eternals reviews:

Screen Rant:

"While Eternals has most of the benchmarks of a Marvel movie, Zhao's sprawling superhero epic is unlike anything the MCU has produced before."

Tribune News Service:

"Eternals is a strange film, both within context and on its own. But in the lookalike, soundalike and corporately synergistic MCU, perhaps that's not such a bad thing."

Little White Lies:

"Some rough edges, but we should cherish a glossy blockbuster that has something to say."

It's certainly true that, in comparison to Marvel's nearly unblemished record, Eternals is significantly more divisive than previous efforts. However, considering the risks and innovative approaches that the movie takes, it is perhaps unsurprising that it hasn't received the same universal acclaim as other more populist Marvel features. Either way, despite some negativity, it's clear that Eternals' mixed reviews indicate that the MCU is attempting to move in an exciting new direction.

More: How Much Eternals Cost To Make (& How Much Box Office To Be A Success)



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