WRITER'S NOTE: The following is a collection of reviews posted on my Instagram accounts (@be.kerian and @film_freeq). They’ve been organized chronologically, based on initial release dates, and have been slightly edited. (The dates in which said reviews were initially posted are in parentheses.)
Here is a recap of Marvel Studios' current phase of films and TV shows, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
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Now that I've caught up on the Marvel series on Disney+, I have to say that I'm generally impressed with what they've done--despite not being entirely "family-friendly". (Then again, like their films, they manage to stay within PG-13 boundaries, even while occasionally pushing the envelope in terms of intense violence and problematic language peppered throughout.)
If I had to summarize each show, it would be as follows:
WandaVision (2021)
A unique throwback to the evolution of television since the 1950s merged with Marvel's blockbuster aesthetic, with former Avengers Wanda Maximoff (a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch) and Vision at the center in a place where things aren't as they seem.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes team up to uncover a global conspiracy, even as they find difficulty adjusting to a world without Steve Rogers. This series is the most gritty of the aforementioned shows, echoing the political-thriller tone established in 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Loki (2021)
The ever-popular Norse "god of mischief" finds himself in a strange time variant loop following the events of 2019's Avengers: Endgame.
Both this series and WandaVision are very creative and subversive in the directions they take with their cast of characters and how they effect the MCU from thereon.
What If . . .? (2021)
An animated anthology series that takes events from previous MCU films and flips the script in alternate realities. A very daring and even polarizing risk that may leave many fans and viewers scratching their heads.
Hawkeye (2021)
Clint Barton just wants to spend Christmas with his family, but suddenly finds himself thrust into a mission with young archer (and fan) Kate Bishop. This series is thoroughly entertaining, and benefits from the presence of the always-engaging Jeremy Renner and the multi-talented Hailee Steinfeld.
Moon Knight (2022)
A lesser-known Marvel property that is thoroughly convoluted and murky as it is ambition, with Oscar Isaac in convincing dual roles in a grand story set in ancient and contemporary Egypt. This is overall the least of these series, and in the same league as Eternals. (Although, it does get interesting after a mind-blowing twist halfway through, but only just.) (5/7/2022, @film-freeq)
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Black Widow (2021)
Agent/assassin Natasha Romanoff finally makes her long-awaited solo feature debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe--and kickstarting a postponed fourth phase in the ever-growing franchise (after WandaVision). In a story set between the events of 2016's Captain America: Civil War and 2018's Avengers: Infinity War, the Black Widow is on the run while seeking to bring down the very secretive organization that made her who she is. A thoroughly gripping and intense experience (arguably the first of its kind since Captain America: The Winter Soldier). Some of its humor is a bit out of place, but this was made for the big screen where it belongs. Scarlett Johansson (in her final MCU outing) has come a long way, and counting. (7/11/2021)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
I've got to be honest, I had low expectations for this martial-arts action-adventure--the second film installment in Phase Four of the MCU. But I was quite blown away by how good it was.
Sure, Shang-Chi has dynamic and genuine action sequences (despite the fact that half of it is clearly CGI), a killer score, slick direction (courtesy indie filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, of Short Term 12 and Just Mercy), and an awesome cast (mostly Asian and Asian-American actors, including the legendary Michelle Yeoh). But it has a strong, beating heart in its central story of the son of a centuries-old assassin and the complicated family dynamics, misguided use of power, and past mistakes he has to face and ultimately make right. The film does lose a bit of momentum in its second act, and some of the dialogue (unnecessarily crass at times) could've easily been avoided; it even gets surprisingly dark with its elements of mysticism and Eastern spirituality.
Overall, this is an exciting (if occasionally benign) blockbuster that goes in unexpected directions, showcasing, in the process, how to take what we've learned from those before us and making it our own. Wow. This is one of the biggest surprises of 2021. (9/5/2021)
Eternals (2021)
One thing that's for certain about Marvel Studios, fan or not: they never lack ambition. Even after two monumental Avengers finales and now four phases into their already-unprecedented franchise, Eternals represents one of their most daring and challenging films. Based on Jack Kirby's celebrated comic book series of extra-terrestrial beings who have been on Earth for thousands of years, there's a lot to like about this epic story, as much as there is to be confused by (especially if your not familiar with the history of the series or characters).
First the good news: the film looks and sounds stunning (especially in IMAX, despite its distracting aspect ratio shifts). The cast is stellar--further proof of Hollywood's significant shift in onscreen and cultural representation, not to mention universal appeal. (Deaf actress Lauren Ridloff is a standout as Makkari.) And the fact that it was shot at real worldwide locations (my hats off to director Chloe Zhao and crew) adds to its authenticity and rich world-building.
That being said, that world-building and mythology can be hard to follow, considering the story jumps back and forth between various time periods in which our central characters have lived through. It can also get very meandering and too introspective. At more than two-and-a-half hours, Eternals (much like another Disney-produced feature this year, Cruella) feels longer than it needs to be, even more than Zack Snyder's Justice League--and that one was barely over four hours in length! Like I said, Marvel Studios never lacks ambition. Only time will tell how this world within their cinematic universe will thrive or shake from here. (11/7/2021)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
DON'T WORRY, NO SPOILERS HERE. NOT REALLY.
I mentioned in one of my previous Spider-Man reviews the term "oversaturation," which makes sense in this day and age of multiple franchises and studio tentpoles. In my review for last month's Ghostbusters: Afterlife, I didn't bring up the term "fan-service," which makes more sense when analyzing that sequel in retrospect.
Both of those terms could easily apply to the MCU's third solo Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland. At least on the service. If you've been paying attention to the trailers and marketing, you know by now there would be appearances by former foes like Alfred Molina's Doc Ock and Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin. But No Way Home is way more than that. In fact, it's better.
Not only does it subvert all expectations out of proportion--and you're in for a whole load of surprises! This is a powerful story of second chances and making the right choices, no matter how difficult. And it's not only the best solo Spidey entry in the MCU (honestly, they've been doing an incredible job overall with these installments, and third time really is the charm here), but arguably the best moviegoing experience since Endgame in 2019. Trust me, this one is worth going to the theaters for. My only warning: prepare to be wowed!
And one more thing I'd like to mention: much like Jared Leto got to revisit (and reimagine) his version of the Joker in Zack Snyder's Justice League, so here does Jamie Foxx get to revisit his rendition of Electro from 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2. I did mention second chances, didn't I? (12/20/2021)
[WRITER'S NOTE: An extended edition of No Way Home was released in theaters over Labor Day weekend of 2022, featuring over 20 minutes of footage not shown during the film's initial release. Some of these scenes--including a new post-credits segment--involved Midtown High School reporter Betty Brant (yes, that one), as well as another certain crime-fighter's alter ego. The former scenes drag a bit, but the overall thrill of seeing Peter Parker going up against multiple villains from different universes is still in tact.]
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
On the heels of Spider-Man's previous experiences with the "multiverse" (see 2018's phenomenal Spider-Verse and 2021's awesome No Way Home) and the ambitious Daniels feature Everything Everywhere All At Once, Benedict Cumberbatch's Dr. Stephen Strange has an even more head-trip of a journey through the very concept in this sequel to 2016's psychedelic origin story. Let's just say the plot involves Strange protecting a universe-jumping teenage girl (a breakout Xochitl Gomez, as America Chavez), with Elizabeth Olson's Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. the Scarlett Witch thrown in.
If you've seen WandaVision and What If . . .? on Disney+ (and the latter aforementioned Spidey flick), then Multiverse of Madness will make more sense. All you need to know, otherwise, is the experience is jaw-dropping (surprise appearances will blow your mind) and polarizing (arguably the studio's first since 2018's Infinity War). This is, after all, Marvel's first full-on horror feature disguised as a superhero adventure; Sam Raimi (who returns to the director's chair after nearly a decade) is a veteran of both genres, having previously made the Evil Dead and Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogies.
The result is, shall we say, a strange blend of thought-provoking themes (i.e., what could've been, the dark sides of various characters); incredible cinematography, art direction, and action sequences (especially in IMAX); chilling sound design; and frightening (sometimes, demonic) imagery that more discerning families ought to think twice about. At least there are other, less problematic, viewing options in this cinematic universe. (5/8/2022)
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