THE MARVELS

US, 2023, 105 minutes, Colour.

Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, Samuel L.Jackson, Zawe Ashton, Gary Lewis, Park Seo-joon, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikah.

Directed by Nia DaCosta.

The 33^rd superhero entry in the Marvel Studios catalogue, with quite a lot going for it to be a commercial success. However, there were news headings, “Marvels land with a thud”. Practically no one has very much good to say about The Marvels.

Which is something of a pity. Brie Larson had success with Captain Marvel in 2019, appeared in one of the Avengers films, could be counted on for a successful sequel. In the meantime, there was the television series, six episodes, Ms Marvel, which starred Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan the teenager who wanted superhero powers and got them. Zenobia Shroff and Mohan Kapur appeared as her parents. All three are part of The Marvels. In addition, there is Monica Rambeau from Wandavision. The director is an African American woman, age 34, Nia DaCosta (Candy man). And, in fact, there is quite a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds in the cast. And, as often happens in Hollywood blockbusters, the villain is British!

With three women as the central characters, super heroes, and a female villain, this is something of a breakthrough in the Marvel Universe consciousness. Samuel L Jackson, in his 13^th Marvel film, returns as Nick Fury. And this time the Marvel superheroes are operating in space, on different planets, able to travel through space in swift flight. Plenty of special effects.

Perhaps without the hype and the Marvel expectations, The Marvels might have passed as a slight and easy entertainment. The story opens with the villain, Zawe Ashton, excavating a mysterious band, to be placed on her arm, giving her powers. She searches for the other one. But, we the audience, know that Kamala Khan, 16-year-old, living with her parents and brother in New Jer aresey, has the other one. In the meantime, there are space operatives trying to maintain order in the universe, including Carol Danvers, who is Captain Marvel, and her alienated niece, Monica Rambeau.

In the comparatively brief running time, there are all kinds of fights, confrontations, family bondings, but, maybe, not quite enough zest to keep the audience excited. With the women’s sensibility of three female writers, a female director, three female superheroes, female villain, there is a clear target audience. While watching The Marvels, one might wonder what macho audiences are making of it, and its impact on the expectations of male fanboys.

And, perhaps, this will be a turning point for Marvel Studios and their next superhero adventures.

1. The background of the Marvel Studios and Marvel Comics?
2. The success of the film, Captain Marvel, the popularity of the television series, Marvel? Television is One division? This scenario drawing characters from these sources?
3. The female perspective? Three writers, the director, the cast and the central characters as superheroes? Target audience, female identification? The response of male fanboys?
4. The situation in the universe, the destroyed planet, the sun, wanting restoration? Captain Marvel and her involvement, control? The qualities, flying, escape?
5. Monica Rambaugh, audience knowledge of, her role in maintenance, her superhero powers, alienate it from her aunt? Her character, the work, becoming more involved in the crisis, responding to situations? Willing to give? Reconciliation with her aunt?
6. The family in New Jersey, the characters from the television series, the parents, Indian background, their concern? Kamala and her brother? Her room, superheroes, the fact that she had the band for her arm? Superhuman powers, becoming involved in the action, with Captain Marvel, with Monica?
7. The head of the planet, the excavation sequence at the opening, looking for the band, finding one, putting it on? The second not present? Her quest? Her rule, domination, underlings, cruelty?
8. The action adventure, the variety of the episodes, the special effects, the planet, the universe, the son, Earth? The involvement of the three women?
9. Kamala, her powers, her age, her enthusiasm, collaboration, the fights, confrontations?
10. Kamala and her parents, her brother, the support?
11. Monica going to action, closing the gaps, the son reappearing, her reappearing?
12. The villain, Captain Marvel, Kamala, defeat?
13. The possibility for more stories, especially with Kamala?