The Marvels (2023) Review

Like a lot of recently released superhero movies (GOTG Vol 3, The Flash, Blue Beetle), I did not go into watching The Marvels with any expectation. Didn’t even watch the trailer actually! Cause I just wanted a chill night away from all the stress – some popcorn, a cup of coke and me in a sparsely populated theater (I go to the movies on Tuesdays and live in – kind of – a small town). 

So there I was today, packing up for a relatively warm mid-November movie time at 5pm. Got on the bus hoping for just a good time, waited till all the ads are over on the big screen, and finally put on my 3D glasses to watch The Marvels.

And boy, did that ticket pay off 😀 

Here are my highlights of my experience with The Marvels movie. 

1. The Trio Dynamic

The first thing that caught my attention was the dynamic the three main characters had on screen – Captain Marvel, Captain Rambeau and Ms Marvel. Yes, they are three MCU superpowered female characters with similar powers, but I would say the dynamic goes a little deeper.

In this movie, we see Monica Rambeau finally meeting Carol Denvers after all these years. This amazing inspiring powerful woman she met as a kid, and waited to get a word from, is finally there. But that childish admiration is gone now, because Carol never came back for her, even though she said she would. 

On the other hand, Kamala Khan is a teenage superfan of Captain Marvel who has drawn a thousand scenarios where they fight together like besties – or as Kamala would put it  – “twinsies”. She is mesmerized knowing that Captain Marvel even stepped in her house, let alone HER ROOM!

Lastly, Carol can see that she has disappointed Monica and feels guilty for doing so. At the same time, she can also see that Kamala is admiring her just as much and she doesn’t want to disappoint her the same way. But she hasn’t figured out how to do that yet.

So, all three of these perspectives play off each other pretty well. The rose-tinted glasses Monica used to see Carol through, are gone, and are now placed on Kamala. Monica can see how insanely happy and invested Kamala is in Carol and her adventures, while she is done with that same infatuation long ago. Carol is trying to make Monica understand her past situation, while also trying to balance being nice to Kamala and being straightforward to protect her at the same time.

I loved this combo of characters because I had people whom I admired as a kid, then didn’t after growing up, but after maturing a little more, I kinda understand why they were the way they were.

2. Action Sequences

I really loved the action sequences of this movie. They were so much fun! I mean, of course, a superhero movie set in space should definitely have cool action stuff. But I somehow felt more connected to or invested in these action scenes. Maybe because I didn’t see a trio of superpowered women fight off intergalactic evil characters before?

3. The Cats

OMyGod, you don’t understand. I LOVE cats, like probably more than humans (I mean are we even that cute? Let’s be honest). But the way the writers integrated the cat-like aliens in this story was so much fun! From how the cat surprised Kamala, then her parents, then played a major role in the climax – I appreciate all of that. If there’s a short movie or mini-series from MCU about these cats, I’m definitely watching!

4. Well-placed Humor

The MCU humor is often a-hit-and-a-miss for me. For instance, I HATED Thor Love and Thunder because it was FULL of unnecessary comedy – kinda brought down the whole movie for me to be honest. But in The Marvels, I would say the humor stuff is well-placed – be it with Kamala’s family members, with the main trio, or other random characters. Those lines didn’t take me out of the story or feel out of place. It worked for me, and from what I could tell, other audience members in the theater as well.

5. Post-credit Scene [not giving spoilers]

DO NOT LEAVE the theatre until the post-credit scene appears. Just don’t bro. It will be worth it.

6. The One Annoying Thing [mild spoiler here sorry, LOOK AWAY]

The only thing that I found kinda annoying and unnecessary in this movie was that weird scene in that weird colorful town where Captain Marvel just turns into a princess (??!!) and dances with the prince ??!!! WTF!? XD

Anyway, that felt VERY out of the place for me and I could do without it honestly.

But anyway, I really enjoyed that movie and will definitely watch it again when it comes on Disney Plus. In the meantime, you go enjoy Loki season 2 and The Marvels in theaters. Feel free to share your thoughts!