A look at the Marvel Universe’s second instalment of Captain Marvel’s Big Cinema exploits …
And Maybe a underlying diversity and sexist issue’s….
Have you heard? “The Marvels” has the lowest box office earnings for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film brought in $47 million in its opening weekend. So many headlines about the film, which had a reported production budget of $274.8 million, have been screaming about its failure. This is it, folks, the end of the Marvel franchise, and it’s all because of those pesky woke women who think they can make comic book movies, many detractors said.
“The Marvels” is the sequel to “Captain Marvel,” which was the MCU’s first female-led (and co-directed) film. This sequel is also a follow-up to “Ms. Marvel,” the Disney+ series that introduced the much-loved comic book character of the same name to the franchise.
Yes, there are criticisms about the film that many people agree on, like the fact that some of the backstory needed more context and the villain was underdeveloped. But this vehement declaration that it’s the worst Marvel film ever with the worst characters, etc., is a symptom of a larger issue.
To put it plainly, racism and misogyny play a huge role in what is perceived as successful. Genre films like the MCU installments are particularly guilty of this: It took Marvel 10 years to make a film with a majority Black cast and creative team, and women have been leads in less than a handful of MCU films (the Disney+ spinoffs are more diverse, but television has always been the place where executives take risks).
The truth is, “The Marvels” never really stood a chance. It is the first film in the franchise to be made by a Black female director, Nia DaCosta, and it features three female superheroes: Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel and Teyonah Parris as Captain Monica Rambeau. It also includes Kamala’s family, all of whom are played by South Asian-origin actors….
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What people have intentionally failed to report is that “The Marvels” may not have been everyone’s favorite, but many critics have given it great reviews, and the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is at a decent 84%. It is also the biggest debut ever for a Black woman director.
Films, or any form of entertainment, by and for more diverse audiences tend to be held to much higher standards. “Black Panther” was the first (and still only) Marvel film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, and yet so many people harp on the poor computer-generated effects in the final act.
“The Marvels” isn’t perfect, but it breaks the mold by centering not one, not two, but three female superheroes, plus a female villain, all while being fun and funny. Isn’t that what Marvel is known for? Why is this film torn apart for every minor issue when objectively bad superhero films like “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” “Morbius” and “Justice League” aren’t? How is it that actual problematic figures like Ezra Miller — the star of “The Flash” film who has been accused of multiple instances of physical assault and harassment — are viewed sympathetically by fans?
“The Marvels” proved it’s time for the powers that be to consider more than just the numbers. Yes, box office revenue is required for studios to run (and if anyone is still dithering about watching the film, go ahead and buy a ticket…
image….Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan (left), Brie Larson as Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers and Teyonah Parris as Captain Monica Rambeau in Marvel Studios’ “The Marvels.”
Brie Larson is the absolute best and I broker none of the other bull shit floating about. I saw “Captain Marvel” in theaters four times during my lowest period, and it somehow was what I needed.
I love the original movie Also….
Have Watched it more than half a dozen times…..
Nice cat, eh?