HOLLYWOOD, CA — “The Marvels,” a direct sequel to the 2019 “Captain Marvel,” is set in a time and place after the events in the TV series “Ms. Marvel,” “Secret Invasion” and “Wandavision.”
The continuing saga, helmed this time by Nia DaCosta, picks up with Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel’s alter ego) trying to decipher some old memories. Apparently, she has been on an intergalactic mission for many years. In that time, Goose, the flerken cat she adopted in the original film, has become her constant companion in her deep-space adventures. And yes! The feline sensation is still as full of surprises as ever.
Remember Carol’s 11-year-old niece in “Captain Marvel”? She is now a young woman (Teyonah Parris) with her own set of superpowers, hailed as Capt. Monica Rambeau. The aunt-niece duo’s reunion is quite emotional for both women. But somehow, the movie does not explain the mystery surrounding Carol’s eternal youthfulness. Seemingly, they appear as if they were contemporaries.
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Meanwhile, New Jersey teen Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) has also acquired her own superpowers thanks to a bangle she inherited from her grandmother. She is now otherwise known as Ms. Marvel.
Moments later, the three superheroes — Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel and Captain Monica Rambeau — join forces as the Marvels. But how it all transpires renders a mind-boggling framework in an intricate space-time aberration that lingers throughout the film. We can expound further, but we had better not since this is a no-spoiler review.
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The trio’s mission? To stop the menacing Kree warrior named Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) before she wreaks utter havoc in the universe. In the process, audiences will learn that Dar-Benn’s grievances bear a personal vendetta against the superhero, whom she blames for the downfall of her planet.
Will the trio be successful?
“The Marvels” is a misfire with a convoluted and half-baked screenplay. However, it also has its wondrous moments in a handful of highly engaging fighting scenes, buoyed by the leads’ electrifying on-screen chemistry.
For inquiring minds, “Captain Marvel” is far superior. The original film soars in the end, albeit with a slow take off, whereas “The Marvels” feels as if it were a projectile in crisis with a destination to-be-determined in the future.
Finally, for inquiring K-drama fans, South Korean star Park Seo-joon makes a cameo appearance as a prince.
(Fun fact: Larson is allergic to felines, so Captain Marvel’s scenes with Goose are CGI-generated.)
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