Film Review: The Marvels

Hello readers,

With cinema releases ramping up again for the end of the year, I thought I would turn my attention to my most recent watch: The Marvels. The sequel to the first film featuring Captain Marvel played by the brilliant Brie Larson, now includes her new companions Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani).

It is wonderful to see Marvel evolving more towards female led films with the recent additions of Black Widow, Black Panther 2 and Captain Marvel. The expansion into television series on Disney Plus has also allowed for more female leads with Scarlet Witch in WandaVision; Jen Walters in She-Hulk and the upcoming Agatha: Darkhold Diaries and Echo both featuring female protagonists.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe started out led by male characters: Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and so on with women only serving as sidekicks or love interests, for example Pepper Potts, Peggy Carter and Jane Foster. Over the years, we have seen these characters all get their own storylines, hero moments and even television programmes. The inclusion of female superheroes, in my eyes, has expanded the audience that the Marvel films and shows attract. A younger girl can look at Black Widow or Captain Marvel or any of the other badass women and see someone representing them.

When people see themselves represented on screen by a powerful independent character that is the hero, it can help them to imagine themselves as a hero or even just someone who can make it through tough times. Representation has been expanding in terms of gender, race and sexuality but there are still huge leaps to be made in terms of equality. For Marvel, the source material of the comic books may have held them up at first as the stories of the 1950s and 60s featured mainly male heroes but with new storylines and characters written all the time, there is progress being made towards equity in the MCU.

The Marvels (2023)

Captain Marvel is one of the MCUs more mysterious characters. We know where she came from and how she got her powers but between the events of the first and second film there is a huge chunk of her life missing.

Carol Danvers may have been away from Earth for a while with a brief appearance in the Battle against Thanos but she has not been resting. Her aim is to solve the political unrest between the Kree and the Skrulls that she believes is due to her actions.

While Carol has been gone, new heroes have come to be. There is Monica Rambeau who we see in WandaVision (2021) gain her powers from interacting with the powers of the Scarlet Witch. Monica did appear in the first Captain Marvel film but as a child or ‘Lieutenant Trouble’ as Carol called her. Her mother, Maria was Carol’s best friend and unfortunately passed away during the Blip. Monica is now working with Nick Fury’s new venture, S.A.B.E.R in Earth’s atmosphere, only using her powers sparingly.

Ms Marvel, real name Kamala Khan is a Captain Marvel super fan and has posters all over her wall and is introduced in the Ms Marvel (2022) series. Upon donning her Nani’s bangle, she gains the ability to manipulate light and make it into solid matter. After being hunted by the Department of Damage Control (part of the former S.H.I.E.L.D), stopping the Clandestines and learning she is a mutant, Kamala suddenly swaps places with Captain Marvel.

The film kicks off where Ms Marvel ends with Carol appearing in Kamala’s room. The three way swapping continues as Carol was in the middle of fighting some Kree soldiers and they are accidentally transported to the Khans’ living room.

I thought the switching between the three heroes made the fight scene interesting and quickly reintroduced the characters to us along with alerting Fury and the Khans’ about the interlinking powers.

To minimise damage, Kamala and Monica join Captain Marvel on her ship and set out to stop Dar-Benn from decimating worlds to reawaken the Kree’s home planet, Hala. Kamala is obviously delighted with the plan much to the dismay of her mother while Monica is less keen given the history between her and Carol. She believes that Carol abandoned her on purpose with her dying mother and after the Blip, she then had no family left.

Carol also has to quickly learn the dynamic with an adult Monica with powers and teenage fan in tow. Having three female leads paved the way for more comedy and joviality than is typically seen in male led Marvel films. Kamala especially has not experienced the wider reaches of the universe and comes into new situations with a positive attitude and open heart. Carol acts as their guide and even stiff and stoic Monica begins to enjoy the quest.

I won’t go into what other things occur but let’s just say that if you’re looking for Easter eggs or clues for future projects, this is not a film to miss.

Another returning character is Goose. A sweet ginger cat who acts as Carol’s sidekick who just happens to be able to launch 30 foot tentacles from its mouth. Goose has been a fan favourite since his appearance in the first Captain Marvel film and the revelation that he was the one that gave Fury his eye patch. Goose’s new Flerken ability is revealed in the new film when he regurgitates items from the Khan’s living room. If you are a cat fan, then this film will feature a few more furry friends.

Overall, I really enjoyed Marvel’s latest outing. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic with Kamala and Monica played well against Carol who can be a mix of both. We got to see some favourite characters and meet some new ones. One funny scene sees Yusuf Khan give someone pension advice only to learn their real age.

There was a good balance of action, comedy, family interactions and heart especially with the reflections on Maria’s passing. It was great to see Kamala live her dreams of meeting her hero and learn that she is a fully fledged person and not just Captain Marvel.

I give this film 4.5 out of 5.

Happy Watching,

Robyn

Strong Women in Film

Felicity Jones was powerful as Ruth and even though small in stature, she had command and the authority that Ruth had and still has. The portrayal of Rut Bader Ginsburg really inspired me that even though she had been pushed aside, Ruth knew her place was to fight for equality. Her daughter also inspired her as she turned to feminist activism. This film is really one to watch, not just for Felicity Jones’ amazing outfits, inspiring performance but Ruth’s amazing life story.

Hi readers,

I will discussing films that I have seen last month with strong and inspiring female characters. In the past, actresses were there just to be rescued or as someone for the actor to talk to or monologue to. Almost like a plot device. There have been many films featuring women and I feel like society’s attitudes towards women has become more accepting and inclusive. We are getting biopics about amazing women such as the female NASA mathematicians in Hidden Figures that helped put a man in space; Wonder Woman, the first superhero film that I have seen starring a woman; films about female musicians, Amy and Whitney; films remade with a female cast, Ghostbusters, Ocean’s 8, What Men Want, The Hustle. I will be looking at some film’s I have seen last month with a strong female lead.

On the Basis of Sex

Felicity Jones in On the Basis of Sex (2018)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is famous for work toward gender equality and her position as Supreme Court Justice. This origin story shows how she progressed from Harvard Housewife to the woman she is today. Ruth was one of the first women to attend Harvard Law school and when her husband Marty was diagnosed with a serious illness she took his classes for him. She graduates but no law firms in New York will employ a female lawyer in 1959. She becomes a lecturer but when one case opens her eyes to the injustice towards a man then all women, she must take a stand. Felicity Jones was powerful as Ruth and even though small in stature, she had command and the authority that Ruth had and still has. The portrayal of Rut Bader Ginsburg really inspired me that even though she had been pushed aside, Ruth knew her place was to fight for equality. Her daughter also inspired her as she turned to feminist activism. This film is really one to watch, not just for Felicity Jones’ amazing outfits, inspiring performance but Ruth’s amazing life story.

Captain Marvel

Brie Larson in Captain Marvel (2019)

The first female lead Marvel film was always going to be good but Brie Larson as Carol Danvers just took it to a place beyond anything I thought it could go. The main message running through was that even though Carol had gained Kree powers and could blast people, she was powerful and strong when she was human. Her determination and strength was shown in a beautiful montage of Carol being knocked down at various ages but then standing up stronger and braver than before. Brie Larson’s comedic timing was on point and I believed that she really didn’t have an memories before waking up in Hala, the Kree city. Maria, Carol’s best friend and fellow pilot was also a great female character. Despite being a single mother and black, she became an Air Force pilot. When Carol came back with no memory, she helped her remember her life and their adventures together. Her daughter, Monica who admired Carol as her role model was also a great female character. Definitely one to take young girls who need self-belief and the confidence to achieve their dreams.

A Private War

This film was very powerful and more shocking and sad than the previous two but Rosamund Pike as the war journalist, Marie Colvin was striking. Marie goes to war zone after war zone reporting on the most horrific things she can find and does it with a bravery that most people don’t have in them. A male journalist in her situation might retire after the trauma and danger she went through but she kept going even after having a stint in a rehabilitation facility due to her PTSD. In each war zone: Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and Syria, Marie felt compelled to share the horrors of war and what was happening to the civilians who had nothing to do with the conflict. Marie also struggles with her personal life, her husband leaves her, she drinks and smokes way way too much, she doesn’t leave enough time for friends and after losing an eye, she becomes depressed.

I loved this film for it’s honesty and showing what war is really like not for the soldiers or terrorists but for the people, the citizens. War really took a toll on Marie and her writing was so visual that she is regarded as one of the best journalists of her time. The ending shocked me as I didn’t know much of Marie’s story and I won’t spoil it here but throughout the film there is a countdown in years to Syria. Would be happy to watch this again.

The Princess Diaries

An older film than the others in this post but she a great film for women. Mia, a normal, socially awkward teenager is told that she is the heir to the Genovian throne, a fictional European country. She starts ‘Princess Lessons’ with her Grandmother, Clarisse, the Queen of Genovia. Mia realises that some people just want fame and not everyone will be as nice as her artistic supportive mum or best friend Lily. This film is full of laughs and I have seen it many a time. Mia is a role model to young girls everywhere as she chooses to use her position to change things in the world for the better. Her house is also really cool. I would encourage any woman, young, old or in-between to watch this uplifting female empowering film. The sequel is also worth a look.

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Lee Israel’s motivations are relatable, she can’t sell her work and is living in a cockroach invested apartment in New York. Her actions are not well thought out as she starts forging letters from great literary figures like Dorothy Parker when her work as a celebrity biographer is no longer relevant. She starts selling her letters, claiming her cousin found them in his loft and then ropes in her friend and fellow writer, Jack Hock to help her pass off the letters as originals. It works until it doesn’t. Lee doesn’t have much luck in her personal life, her girlfriend left her and her new love interest at the book shop unravels when the letters are discovered as forged. The film itself is based on Lee’s book she wrote on the ordeal and why she did it. Melissa McCarthy as Lee was one of the best of her career and a real change from her usual comedy such as Bridesmaids, Tammy, Identity Thief and Life of the Party. This film showed Lee’s ingenuity and creativity when she had no other way of making money. Someone else may have accepted a job in a different field but Lee persevered in her chosen profession. A great film that showed the resilience of women.

Isn’t it Romantic

Rebel Wilson in Isn't It Romantic (2019)

An anti-rom-com with Rebel Wilson in her first lead role that made fun of every troupe while simultaneously fulfilling them all. Rebel plays Natalie an architect who loves her job but wishes she did more than design parking garages and watch her friend Josh stare at the beautiful woman on the billboard outside her window. When Natalie bumps her head she ends up in a cliche rom-com with hot doctors, clean streets and handsome men falling in love with her. She doesn’t know how to leave but when Josh starts dating the woman from the billboard; yoga ambassador Isabella, Natalie thinks that breaking them up will get her out of this rosy, annoying world. This film was a feel-good romantic comedy while simultaneously making fun of all the cliches such as women fighting at work, Natalie’s friend/assistant, Whitney suddenly becomes her rival; random bursting into song; perfect flash mob dance sequences. Natalie realises at the end that to escape the ‘perfect’ world she needs to love herself not any man and I think that is a really female empowering message. I love Rebel Wilson in any role she does and this was no exception.

I Feel Pretty

Another film where a woman feels underappreciated then hits her head. This time Amy Schumer is Renee, an under-confident woman not happy with her size, her dating life or her dead end job in a basement in Chinatown working for Lilly Leclair as an IT specialist. After falling off a Soul Cycle bike and hitting her head, Renee wakes up believing that she is the most beautiful woman in the world. This gives her more confidence to pursue her dream job as a receptionist for Lilly Leclair, working in their Fifth Avenue office. Her friends who have always loved her are confused as it everyone else as Renee hasn’t changed at all, she just thinks she has. When Renee becomes close to Lilly Leclair head honcho, Avery Leclair, she starts leaving her friends and new boyfriend, Ethan behind. Being confident makes her self-centred and vain. I thought Amy Schumer was great in this role and the message that you are perfect just the way you are and can achieve your dreams with the right attitude and self-belief was really strong and moving for me.

20th Century Women

This film about 3 strong women raising a teenage boy in 1979 was a true to life look at what struggles women face such as teenage pregnancy, ovarian cancer, single motherhood, rebellious children. The atmosphere of the film and the women interacting with each other intellectually and taking Jamie under their wings while fighting stereotypes and discussing menstruation, sex and womanhood was one I haven’t seen in many films and made me feel seen as a woman. Setting the film in 1979 was important as periods and other female ‘issues’ were regarded as even more taboo at that time. The love that Dorothea felt for her son made you sad that he kept pushing her away but also you understood he just wanted to be free and live his life. A great story and look at life in California in the 1970s.

Happy Watching

Robyn 🙂