Early reviews for Marvel’s Eternals are finally in ahead of its early November release date, with critics hailing the upcoming film as a “masterpiece” that’s “visually different” from the franchise’s other blockbusters.
Directed by Chloé Zhao, Eternals introduces a group of immortal aliens, played by Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie and other stars, tasked with protecting humanity from their evil counterparts, the Deviants.
The film’s world premiere took place yesterday and critics immediately took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the superhero flick, with Nerdist’s Dan Casey describing Eternals as “Marvel’s most ambitious film”.
“Epic in scope, lavishly shot, and totally unapologetic about how much lore it dumps on you,” he wrote. “Terrific cast, great direction and delightfully comic book-y. Def[initely] not for everyone, but these are Jack Kirby’s space gods done right.”
#Eternals is one of Marvel’s most ambitious films. Epic in scope, lavishly shot, and totally unapologetic about how much lore it dumps on you.
— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) October 19, 2021
Terrific cast, great direction, and delightfully comic book-y. Def not for everyone, but these are Jack Kirby’s space gods done right. pic.twitter.com/fsuexvcTwY
Other reviewers commented on the film’s wide scope, with ComicBook.com’s Brandon Davis saying it was “visually different (and more intimate)” than any of the franchise’s other films
“It has laughs, great surprises, and heart to go with the gigantic, crowded story it unpacks. Chloé Zhao has a really unique visual stamp.”
#Eternals is a whole lot of movie.
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) October 19, 2021
It’s shot with a massive scope, looking visually different (and more intimate) than anything else Marvel. It has laughs, great surprises, and heart to go with the gigantic, crowded story it unpacks.
Chloé Zhao has a really unique visual stamp. pic.twitter.com/hSMtwRlabv
Some critics declared Eternals to be a “masterpiece”, with Rotten Tomatoes’ Tessa Smith saying: “Your mind with be BLOWN! Those end credits are GAME CHANGERS!” while Screen Rant’s Ash Crossan said that she loved the film, describing it as “ambitious, expansive, fashionable, surprisingly funny!”
Holy crap - Eternals is a freaking MASTERPIECE!!! Packed with adrenaline right from the start, but also filled with lots of heart & humor! So many MCU firsts!! Your mind will be BLOWN! Nods to comics but a totally unique story. Those end credits are GAME CHANGERS!! #Eternals pic.twitter.com/jKiMJukn4S
— Tessa Smith - Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) October 19, 2021
Aside from its scale and direction, Eternals was also praised for its inclusion of openly LGBTQ superhero Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry, as well as the performances of Angelina Jolie (Thena) and Gemma Chan (Sersi), who Buzzfeed’s Nora Dominick described as “powerhouses” before adding that she would have liked to see more of them.
The film also stars Lia McHugh (Sprite), Lauren Ridloff (Makkari), Barry Keoghan (Druig), Don Lee (Gilgamesh), Harish Patel (Karun) and Kit Harington (Dane Whitman), and is based on Jack Kirby’s comics of the same name.
Marvel’s Eternals hits cinemas on 5th November 2021. You can watch most of the MCU movies now on Disney+ – sign up now for £7.99 per month or £79.90 for a full year.