Eternals | When auteur cinema comes to Marvel

Exploration of the Marvel Universe in theaters continues with the release ofEternals. Two of our film critics, an amateur blockbuster fan of the genre and a fan of auteur films intrigued by the phenomenon, saw the film directed by Chloé Zhao, winner of the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director for Nomadland earlier this year. Here are their verdicts.

An unconvincing experience ★★★

To this day, the films in the Marvel franchise are not among the ones we excitedly list, highlight and circle in our already busy cinema agenda. And it won’t change after you see Eternals.

On a daily basis, our interest is much more focused on independent films. But after being blown away six months ago by viewing Nomadland, we wanted to see what filmmaker Chloé Zhao would do in this impromptu sandbox.

After all, she’s not the first female director to venture, no pun intended here, into areas far removed from her past cinematography on the way to straightforward action. When we know what Sam Mendes had managed to do with Sky Fall, all hopes were allowed!

Disappointment

Alas, Eternals, despite several good leads, did not seem conclusive to us.

The film fits at most in this large category of works which will have kindly kept us in suspense for a long time. But he did not manage to capsize us for one or more reasons that are both scriptwriting, philosophical and staging.

In fact, even the photography and art direction left us on the sidelines. It says a lot about the fact that the traces left by the film in our minds are subject to an imminent disappearance.

Let’s recognize some good sides at work. The use of the part Time, by Pink Floyd, to introduce this story which will speak as much of eternity as of the ephemeral life of us, poor Earthlings, is a magnificent idea. Because history has a lot to do with this relationship to time.

Vitaminated, the all-out distribution is also a clear manifestation of a concern for diversity on screen. Not only a diversity of actors, but also that of the characters. The heroes, here, are posed. They have flaws, they wonder. They even have a certain compassion. As Thena’s character (Angelina Jolie) says, “When you love something, you protect it”. In short, they have human values ​​and each spectator will undoubtedly be able to identify with one or the other of these heroes.

A little nod to climate change with that? Sure ! Without disclosing anything here, let’s say that if the Deviants suddenly appear, it is among other things because the Terrans have not taken enough care of the planet. It’s crazy what adverse effects climate change can have.

Weak dialogues

Elsewhere, unfortunately, it’s meager. The transition scenes between two good fights, where the heroes have time to talk a little, left us cold. There is absolutely nothing happening. The dialogues are hollow. We roll our eyes. We catch ourselves tapping our feet, and it’s not because a song by Lizzo or BTS is playing in the background.

In addition, the acting did not particularly hold our attention. Yet it is through them that the humanist message of the film passes. We expected a certain poetry, but it did not come.

In addition, Chloé Zhao doesn’t really like working on a green screen and wanted to offer an immersive environment and sets in wide shots to better showcase the Eternals. So we fight in the forest, by the sea, in the desert. Etc. Very good. But – and this is very personal – we were bored of having an urban fabric densified by all its heterogeneous elements (buildings, vehicles, bridges, etc.), a formidable arena conducive to confrontations.

Fascinating and magnificent Eternals ★★★★

“It was good, but there were lengths. This reproach is often heard at the exit of the cinema. The longer a work lasts, the more it is exposed to this criticism. In the case of’Eternals, we are very happy that Chloe Zhao has decided to take her time to tell the complex story of the Eternals, Deviants, Celestials, and, in a way, humanity.

After all, this one takes place over millennia.

To sum up, the Celestials – a kind of cosmic giants – are the creators of galaxies as well as the beings that inhabit them. The events recounted here take place on Earth where the Eternals and Deviants, also creations of the Celestials, have been clashing for thousands of years. The Eternals, endowed with vast powers, are on a mission to protect humans from Deviants, but must not interfere in their conflicts – which explains their absence in the clash against Thanos, because yes, this is a movie. from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, Sersi (Gemma Chan), who can transform matter, and Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry), able to build any technology with his bare hands, help men develop in society.

Grandiose and intimate

Together, they are 10 almost infallible overpowered beings. But over the centuries, love, jealousy and many other feelings create tension within the group. The exchanges between Eternals are intelligent, sincere and well conveyed by an impressive cast. The characters created by Jack Kirby gain in richness and depth thanks to the brilliant pen of screenwriters Patrick Burleigh, Ryan and Kaz Firpo, then Chloé Zhao.

The images shot by the latter are of great beauty. The director stressed in an interview that it was important for her to shoot outdoors more than in the studio.

The different ecosystems of our planet – desert, city, forest, beach – are thus highlighted. Through wide shots and a contemplative camera, we feel that Chloé Zhao wants to remind us how vast and ancient our world is.

She also took the opportunity to include an ecological comment. In contrast, the 39-year-old Chinese filmmaker tightens the framework for the dialogues in order to “see” the imperceptible things that unite us. In addition, she tackles themes that are dear to her such as vulnerability, mental illness and loneliness.

Oversights

There are a few action scenes, but they do not really stand out. In fact, it is mainly because of the forces involved. The Eternals “warriors” have relatively classic powers: flight, strength, speed, projection of energy beams – the weapons generated by Thena (Angelina Jolie) are however original. Deviants are big beasts that are fairly generic. They also seem to have been forgotten in the script. Their role was perhaps better defined in the first drafts, but there they are only anonymous antagonists.

The somewhat banal action slightly harms the rhythm, which is on the other hand punctuated by interesting flashbacks that explain both the evolution of humanity and that of relations between the Eternals. Because these remain at the heart of the story. The love story between Sersi and Ikaris (Richard Madden) is well written, but the friendship between Makkari (Lauren Ridloff) and Druig (Barry Keoghan) is just as beautiful. Kingo’s (Kumail Nanjiani) repartee and Sprite’s (Lia McHugh) sarcasm bring a smile. The wisdom of Ajak (Salma Hayek) and the big heart of Gilgamesh (Don Lee) do good. The great diversity of characters and their performers – as well as their magnificent costumes – is undoubtedly the greatest strength ofEternals.

What about Dane Whitman (Kit Harington)? He should not remain “the service human” for too long …

Indoors

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