The Marvels (2023)

The critic praises Nia DaCosta for delivering the zippiest and paciest MCU film in some time, focusing on character dynamics and fun adventure rather than excessive lore. She singles out the energetic team-up elements, the standout performance of Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, and bold creative swings like a singing planet for praise.

The Marvels is quite entertaining overall, a freewheeling and feminine MCU entry focused on female friendship and fun that the series needs. It singles out Iman Vellani’s energetic performance as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel for stealing the show with brightness and levity.

The critic finds it a grounding contribution to the MCU, praising the sincere bond between the three protagonists as the film's strength. The lead performances, especially the chemistry among Larson, Parris, and Vellani, freshen up typical Marvel fare.

The review highlights how the film ends far stronger than it starts, praising the warmth, camaraderie, and character depth in the final act that offers promising signposts for the MCU.

The critic finds the film a lightweight sci-fi superhero action-comedy that pops sweetly and insubstantially like bubblegum, with likable humour and brio from the three leads, especially their visit to a singing planet.

The film is described as one that won’t live long in the memory, with fun elements but ultimately slight and not memorable despite cool cameos.

The review notes the brisk fun and charming trio but criticizes the baffling plot and poor plotting, saying it's hard to relax into due to unclear goals, though the core trio works well.

The critic praises the dream-team chemistry of the leads and some fun, breezy moments but criticizes the hyper-edited first act and confused plotting that makes it feel at odds with being a Marvel movie.

The scattershot sequel diminishes the power of the first film with skittery plotting and utilitarian tone, though it is short and features some efficient action. It singles out Zawe Ashton’s go-for-broke performance as the villain Dar-Benn for injecting lyrical anger.

The review notes moments of originality and charm in the superhero sequel but concludes that scattered elements and the need for an MCU reset make it feel like a baffling waste overall.

The film delivers exactly what is expected but nothing more, resulting in a bland and familiar MCU entry despite the appealing cast and director's talent. It singles out a lightly gonzo scene as a highlight of what the rest of the movie could have been.

The critic calls the adventure disappointingly dinky in scope and stakes despite its budget, faulting underdeveloped characters, lack of momentum, and its feel as a crossover episode rather than a must-see event.

It has an appealing modesty and playful moments but feels insubstantial, with likeable performances but lacking fresh ideas, a mediocre villain and listless supporting turns.

The critic praises Nia DaCosta for blending action and farce in a good-natured fantasy adventure, highlighting the fun, verve, and emotion brought by the director and cast, using the viewpoint of the teenager Kamala for grounded comedy and idealism.

The critic calls the film a mess and a deadening hotchpotch of pre-existing Marvel styles that looks like cheap TV, with bad dialogue and the dead hand of television all over it.

The critic calls the film a fun, confident action-comedy that overcomes heavy MCU baggage through inventive set pieces and strong cast chemistry, especially Iman Vellani's delightful Kamala Khan. They single out the brisk pacing and imaginative moments like the cat-filled space station for making it a highlight amid the franchise's weaker year.

The critic praises the fun, playful tone Nia DaCosta brings to the MCU and the joyful chemistry among the three leads, noting how the film refreshes dense backstory without overwhelming viewers. They single out the short runtime and energetic performances for making it one of the most enjoyable recent Marvel entries.

The critic highlights the film's effervescent silliness, transcendent comedic moments, and Iman Vellani's charming energy as Kamala Khan as major strengths. They single out confusing plot holes, dropped narratives, and an unsatisfying ending as key weaknesses that undermine the fun.

The critic finds the film a largely successful and entertaining MCU entry that explores revenge and forgiveness through Captain Marvel's arc, with strong performances especially from Iman Vellani as the scene-stealing Kamala Khan. It is let down by a nagging sense of over-familiarity, a forgettable villain, and a narrative that echoes previous installments too closely.

The film has moments that work, especially Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel and an inventive musical sequence on an alien planet, but overall it feels like a mechanical, formulaic MCU product that fails to commit fully to its ideas or characters.

The critic praises Iman Vellani's standout performance as the element that makes the film worth watching but deems the overall effort a disjointed and rushed cosmic disappointment that feels like a made-by-committee product. Director Nia DaCosta's intentions are visible but little of the intended vision remains on screen.

Nia DaCosta’s Marvel debut is one of the quirkier MCU entries with charming moments from Iman Vellani and some fun cosmic elements, but it lacks engagement and punch overall, feeling more meh than marvellous despite good lines and willing performers.

The critic hails the film as a cosmic triumph that grounds its spectacle in emotional sincerity and character depth. DaCosta’s nuanced direction and the trio of heroines’ compelling performances are singled out for bringing humanity to the MCU.

The critic finds the film fun and colorful but with a thin plot and underdeveloped character relationships. Iman Vellani’s exuberant performance as Ms. Marvel is singled out for praise as the standout element that makes the movie enjoyable.