ETERNALS

US, 2021, 157 minutes, Colour.

Gemma Chen, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayak, Don Lee, Kumail Nanjiani, Harish Patel, Lia McHugh, Barry Keoghan, Lauren Radloff, Kit Harrington. Voices of Bill Skarsgaard, Harry Styles, Patton Oswalt, Mahershala Ali.

Directed by Chloe Zhao.

Once upon a time or, once upon an eternity, Celestials created our universe (with acknowledgement to Greek mythology). They also created a special group, Eternals, who could be sent to different planets to safeguard the populations there, eventually coming to earth 5000 BC, seen helping in Mesopotamia, in Babylon, defending the humans from gigantic complex monsters, the Deviants. This all comes from the imagination of Jack Kirby and his Marvel Comics, brought to the screen, with a budget of $200 million by Chloe Zhao (not at all like her Oscar-winning Nomadland).

For those who are intrigued by these premises and the delving back into mythologies, the advice would be: go for it. For those less intrigued, it might take some time to warm up, or, for some, the whole proceedings might seem a bit too silly. And the running time is over 2 ½ hours with some hostiles obviously enjoying remarking that the running time seems eternal! (At times, it does, and at one stage a character says we need some action scenes – but, while there are many conversations and analysing the situations, the many action scenes sometimes need a breather.)

And, then, we are in present-day London, sharing the experiences of Gemma Chan’s Sersi, her boyfriend, Dane (Kit Harrington) and the sudden appearance of the dashing hero, Ikaris (Richard Madden keeping his Scots accent). There is an earthquake in London, reverberating around the world – and after centuries of absence, The Deviants are back.

So, Sersi and Ikaris are Eternals, illuminations frequently appearing on their hands, in their faces, over their bodies, superhuman powers – seen, often, in deadly combat and high special effects with The Deviants.

It seems time for the Eternals to reunite for their Celestial mission – although, they, and we, discover that all is not clear, Celestial ambiguities, betrayals, and the announcement of the Emergence, which means the destruction of the human race to make way for a bigger and better world population. Which of the Eternals is for this, who is against?

Much of the central running time of the film shows Sersi and Ikaris Travis in the world to find where the other Eternals have been living all these centuries. Some of the Eternals are quite engaging and likeable, others not so much. This reviewer liked Gilgamesh (Don Lee/ Ma Dong-seok) making big pies in outback Australia and guarding the catatonic Eternal, Thena (a blonde Angelina Jolie). Interesting and engaging is Kingjo (Kumail Nanjiani) who has become a Bollywood star and director, seen in a dance routine, and always accompanied by his valet, the rather roly-poly Karun (Harish Patel) making a documentary with his camera at the ever ready, no matter how drastic the situations! And, after a flashback to Hiroshima, we are introduced to Patosh Brian Tyree Henry) wracked with some guilt because of his contribution to the Trinity project. (And some curiosity with him because he is a gay character leading to the banning of this film in China.) The leader is Ajack (Salma Hayek).

Not so keen on Sprite (Leah McHugh) who never grows up and is often very petty. Nor keen on Druig (Barry Keoghan) who has been working is on forests. Later, the mute Makkari (Lauren Gridlock), genial, who can travel at light speed around the world.

Quite a range of women and men, and quite multi-ethnic.

Which means then that the latter part of the film consists of the battles, special effects, Deviants, betrayals and choices, discussions about the human race and whether it is worth saving, condemnations of its faults and follies, but acknowledgement that humans have love and warmth and potential.

But, of course, this is the first film and it is promised that the Eternals will return. (And, yes, good things come for those who wait, especially those who wait during the very long and detailed credits, for the post-credits tantaliser, this time with Kit Harrington opening a chest daring himself to take out the sword of Blade…).

1. A very different part of the Marvel Universe? Going back into Greek mythology?
2. The variety of time eras: pre-Earth history, the galaxies, the Celestials in the celestial world, the creation of the Eternals, coming to earth, the earth historical episodes, the continued threat of the Deviants? The 21^st-century, London, Australian desert, the Amazonian jungle, the US Middle West, Asia, Indian Ocean islands? The musical score?
3. Audience engagement with the Eternals, the characters and personalities, their powers, action, banding together, betrayals, affection towards the human race, not?
4. Audience involvement with the Eternals, their creation, the Celestials, the main Celestial, ambitions for Eternals, to spread throughout the galaxies, helping populations on planets, for earth, to save the humans, to combat the Deviants, and the discovery of the plan for the Emerging, destroying the humans, repopulation?
5. The activities of the Eternals, in Mesopotamia, in Babylon, the humans, their lifestyle, the attack by the Deviants, the Eternals as warriors, the battles?
6. The transition to London, the information of the separation of the Eternals, for many centuries, living their lives, within the human condition?
7. The introduction to Sersi, lecturing, the museum, the earthquake? Her relationship with Dane? Memories of Ikaris? Sprite, friendship, always youthful? The arrival of Ikaris, the new situation, her leadership? The decision to re-group the Eternals?
8. The journey to find the Eternals? The visit to the Australian desert, Gilgamesh and his cooking, his ethnicity, Thena and her presence in the desert, Gilgamesh protecting her?
9. Kingo, the touch of comedy, Bollywood films, the dancing routine, filming, his work as actor and director, the arrival of the Eternals? Karun as his valet, and forever filming? His jovial personality? Reluctance to go?
10. The visit to the Amazon, Druig, useful, working with the locals, his powers, suspicious? Persuaded?
11. Phastos, the flashbacks to Hiroshima, his contribution to Trinity, his regrets, his partner, their son, secluded life?
12. Eventually meeting Makkari, in the ship, the power of moving so rapidly? Sympathetic?
13. Ajak as leader, the news of her death, Sersi as her appointed successor? The flashbacks to Ajak and her leadership? Retirement, the desert? The presence of Ikaris? The complications about the wishes of the Celestial leader, the Emerging, Ajak and her attitude, Ikaris and his attitude, believing in it? His killing Ajak?
14. Ikaris, personality, his deceptions, his love for Sersi, but leading her on? The battles, ultimate decisions, Sprite and her betrayal, opting to go with Ikaris? His being exiled?
15. The visual effects for the range of battles with the Deviants? Gilgamesh and his offer to say the others, his death? Thena and her Amazon-like warrior activities? The visualising of the monsters, their voices, touches of personality? The range of battles, in the Amazon, in central Australia, the buildup to the confrontation on the island, the volcano?
16. The aftermath of the battles, the Eternals and their opting in sympathy for the human race despite all failings? Ikaris and banishment? Sprite and forgiveness? Phastos returning to his family? Kingo and his upsetting himself from the main battle, the return, and Karun and his camera?
17. This Mission accomplished – but post-credits sequences, the connection with other Marvel superheroes, the Eternals returning?