Awards Radar Community: What Are Your Thoughts on ‘Eternals’ and This New Marvel Epic?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe just got a lot bigger with the release of Eternals. Not just in terms of characters and what it means for the future of the MCU, either. Nor was it just getting a filmmaker the caliber of Chloé Zhao on board to helm. Yes, Eternals also marks the first time that Marvel Studios has gotten truly mixed reviews for one of their films. In fact, Marvel currently is looking at this movie being their first “Rotten” effort. How much of that is legitimate criticism and how much of it is an overreaction? Well, that’s a whole other conversation. Today, however, I just want to bring up another Awards Radar Community question. I’m sure you can guess what flick we’re asking about but here goes nothing anyway…if you’ve seen it, what did you think of Eternals?

Yesterday, I ranked the MCU once again (here), including Eternals. For those who didn’t see my review last week, you can find that here, with a portion of it found below:

The Marvel Cinematic Universe can often be accused of giving off a repetitious feel. Those who don’t dig on the MCU claim that the films do the same things over and over again. Even someone like yours truly, who almost exclusively enjoys the movies, sees some of their argument. Marvel has a formula, one they don’t really waver from. Now, with Eternals, they’ve given Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao the most free rein of anyone so far playing in their sandbox. For a while now, speculation ran while that Zhao had used that cache to make a flick unlike anything else we’ve seen from the entertainment giant before. Well, that’s true, but not necessarily in the manner we were hoping for. Over a week after having seen Eternals, I still can’t quite figure out if I liked it or not.

Eternals frustrates because parts of it are outstanding. The visuals are unparalleled for a comic book film. Moreover, these superheroes are allowed to be meditative in unique way. Plus, the concept of these heroes and their dogma/powers as seen with a religious lens is quite new. On the other hand, however, the actual action is lacking, the villain is bad even for Marvel standards, and long stretches don’t have much of anything interesting happen. This is the rare case where you can see the independent sensibilities of the storyteller compared to the instincts of the studio, but side with the latter.

So, now we turn to you all. Did you love Eternals? Were you lukewarm on it? Whatever the case may be, we want to hear from you. Chime in and give us your take on the latest installment in the MCU. I’ve already had my say, so now, it’s time for you all to speak up with your take. Have at it…

What are your thoughts on Eternals? Let us know!