The newest installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), The Marvels, has hit the silver screen, continuing in the seemingly never-ending saga that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This is the second installment in the Captain Marvel franchise and it also bridges the gap between the aforementioned Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel series. Also joining the gang is Monica Rambeau, who many comic readers remember as either a previous Captain Marvel, Photon, or Spectrum. Here is a spoiler-free The Marvels review.

THE MARVELS Review

The premise of The Marvels is that Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) team up to stop the remnants of the Kree Empire, led by Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) from causing mass destruction across the universe using a mysterious object.

If the plot described in The Marvels sounds pretty lazy, you’ve been paying attention. The MCU lately has had a hard time coming up with compelling plots that feel like they have real stakes in the movies. Coupled with announcing full slates of films years in advance, it’s hard to take any stakes they do put in front of fans seriously in the context of a story.

I wanted to love this movie, as it has characters I love played by actors who are amazing. However, sometimes you just have to work with the tools you have, and sometimes in that toolbox are dull tools. Meaning the motivations of the characters are paper thin and ill-defined, and a lot of moments in this movie that can give you a better relationship with the characters are wasted because we’ve got to go somewhere else right now, in a world where instant travel is readily available.

This is in no way stating that The Marvels is a bad movie. In fact, there is a great movie in here somewhere. The issue is the things that could make this movie great aren’t given the time needed to breathe, as the audience is hastily whisked away to another part of the universe. There were instances in this film where, once again, the studio decided to stop the movie and hold for the audience’s reaction. At this point, the MCU brand of humor is insufferable in The Marvels.

Does this take away from the movie-going experience? Probably not, as this can be an enjoyable film. It just highlights a lot of problems with the MCU. The universe wants fans excited for what’s to come but never for what they’re watching, and that leads to a never-ending waiting game. Fans are left waiting for something better.

The Marvels can be enjoyable if you’re looking for something to enjoy. But if you’re like me and looking for ways to connect with a series that has lost its connection, it’s just background noise.