‘Eternals’ Early Reactions: A ‘Visually Stunning’ and ‘Spectacularly Weird’ Marvel Experience
Last night saw the world premiere of the highly anticipated MCU film, Despite the review embargo that lifts on October 24th, we have Eternals early reactions; and it seems they promise a new kind of Marvel experience.
The massive new film has received the majority of reviews harping on the sheer uniqueness of the story, and the accomplishment the film has become for those involved.
Source: Insider.com
Epic, unique, dense, visually stunning, complex, and as one Twitter user stated, “Spectacularly weird” are all phrases that have come to the forefront of those who saw the film for the first time.
Chloe Zhao is Academy Award-winning director, as was tasked with the impossible; bringing humanity into a story of god-like beings, and exploring the vastness of the MCU cosmic without weighing down the story with exposition.
Just got out of #Eternals. I've never been so invested in a story. It was cinematically beautiful. I was engaged the entire time. There's a lot to ingest but they do such a great job to process it all. This feels so different from the MCU, like it's own universe. I loved it.
— Laura ลอร'า 劳拉 🍥 (@lsirikul) October 19, 2021
TV and Film critic Laurah Sirikul noted the compactness of the film, considering the incredible amount of narrative there was to be told, but also was sure to express the beauty of the film.
A common theme seems to be the uniqueness of the film in relation to every other MCU project; this seems to be a commonality among Phase Four projects, with Shang-Chi also being praised for its different feel to the MCU as a whole.
#Eternals is probably the most shocking and surprising Marvel movie you’ll see. Many twists and turns. Kumail Nanjiani Is hilarious in every scene. As always, stay to the VERY end. pic.twitter.com/Z3Hm6Vxznx
— Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) October 19, 2021
Insider correspondent Kristen Acuna noted two early impressions of the film; the shock and surprise that she did not expect from it, and the stand-out performance of Kumail Nanjiani.
With the film reportedly containing two post-credit scenes, it is a common theme among reactions that fans have to wait until the very end of the screening to see just where the Eternals is taking the MCU
#Eternals is a whole lot of movie.
It’s shot with a massive scope, looking visually different (and more intimate) than anything else Marvel. It has laughs, great surprises, and heart to go with the gigantic, crowded story it unpacks.
Chloé Zhao has a really unique visual stamp. pic.twitter.com/hSMtwRlabv
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) October 19, 2021
ComicBook.com’s Brandon Davis spoke glowingly about the direction of the film, and all of the ways that Eternals ended up being a triumph of a Marvel film.
With many fans cautiously optimistic about the massive scale of the story Zhao was taking on, it is very refreshing to hear that she never sacrifices the brilliant characters the story has to offer.
#Eternals is epic in every sense of the word. It's a story that is more massive but simultaneously more down-to-earth than the MCU has ever been. The passion everyone involved had for this movie is present in every scene and it needs to be seen on the biggest screen you can find pic.twitter.com/CyyqPt9dfn
— Jack McBryan (@McBDirect) October 19, 2021
Jack McBryan of The Direct only added to the immensely positive reception the film has gotten in its early reactions by noting how beautifully Zhao and Feige contrast the story of these century-old beings.
It has been something that Marvel has repeatedly stated as a mission statement in regard to the film; providing a narrative that uncovers what it means to be human, and it seems as though the filmmaker’s love of these characters has propelled them to doing just that.
Fresh off her Oscar win, Chloé Zhao doesn’t miss a step with Marvel’s #Eternals.
Eternals is one of the most visually stunning comic films we’ve seen. Zhao has a great eye for detail and we see that with her set pieces and character designs which pay homage to the comics (1/4) pic.twitter.com/v1kTln0udL
— Geek Vibes Nation (@GeekVibesNation) October 19, 2021
Geek Vibes Nations has perhaps the boldest statement of support for the film, noting that it is, “one of the most visually stunning comic films we’ve seen.”
This is no surprise considering the incredible talent for visual storytelling that Zhao possesses; Eternals was her opportunity to put her very unique visual style in the context of a Marvel film.
Source: Total Film
It is safe to say that Eternals early reactions are immensely positive and just when we thought that we couldn’t be any more excited!
Eternals debuts November 5th, and it is shaping up to be one of the great MCU entries in the studio’s history.
