The Marvel Cinematic Universe got a lot more crowded late last year with the debut of a team of super-powered beings sent to Earth to protect humanity and nurture civilization.
Ultra-high definition theater owners can now appreciate their exploits with the 4K disc release of Eternals (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, rated PG-13, 2.39:1 aspect ratio, 156 minutes, $39.99)
Loosely based on the comic book world created by sequential-art master Jack Kirby back in the 1970s, Academy Award-winning director Chloé Zhao’s film attempts to introduce viewers to 10 diverse and inclusive extraterrestrial heroes (yawn) within an exhausting, over 2-hour hour timeframe.
They include matter transformer Sersi (Gemma Chan); the Superman-like Ikaris (Richard Madden); cosmic energy weapon builder Thena (Angelina Jolie); illusion projector Sprite (Lia McHugh); the energy-gloved powerhouse Gilgamesh (Don Lee); energy blaster Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani); brilliant tech inventor Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry); speedster Makkari (Lauren Ridloff); mind manipulator Druig (Barry Keoghan); and the wise leader and Celestial liaison Ajak (Salma Hayek).
Their vital mission is to kill all of the monstrous Deviants (otherworldly invaders and the nearly immortal archenemies of the Eternals) on planet Earth.
The bad guys will remind well-saturated superhero movie fans early on of the canine-like demon Sammael seen in the film “Hellboy” movie.
The lumbering film has the team assemble at points in history back to 10,000 B.C. to supposedly destroy all of the Deviants scattered across the planet over its history.
At least that’s what the Eternals were told by their Celestial boss Arishem the Judge. Unfortunately, the god’s goal is much more sinister involving a plan called the emergence that will wipe out humanity. How will the Eternals respond?
It’s hard to fault the comic-book-loving Miss Zhao’s sincere intentions to deliver a massive, character-driven opus wrought with human emotion, relationships, betrayal, action and dripping with sincerity.
All of the pieces are there, and they weigh down the plot at every turn. It’s simply impossible to bring that many characters fully to life whil exploring cosmic “Chariots of the Fire” themes in that amount of limited time.
Her bosses should have known better. Instead, Miss Zhao should have been allowed to orchestrate an epic, season-long mini-series on the Disney Plus streaming service to tell that large of a mythology.
To possibly understand what the heck was going on with too much storytelling, first watch the film with a couple of energy drinks and then go and read some issues of Kirby’s 1970s’ Eternals comics.
Next, read the 2006 mini-series from writer Neil Gaiman and John Romita Jr. about the team. Now go back and watch “Eternals” again. If that does not help, just go and watch “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: End Game” and declare defeat.
4K in action: In one of the rarer instances that I can remember, the movie actually looks better in high definition rather than UHD format.
The 2160p issue boils down to the high dynamic range enhancements that often further darken already dark scenes to the point that it’s nearly impossible to enjoy the action.
Part of the blame also goes to the director and cinematographer Ben Davis that chose a surprisingly unflattering and drab color pallet, call it a Zack Snyder pall, especially with the uninspired costuming and some of the action scene locations.
Unfortunately, “The Eternals” is not a visual homage to Kirby’s work. Check out the film “Thor: Ragnarok” for an idea of how a pop-art-color-infused movie should look.
The most notable moments of the film in 4K, worthy of inspection for clarity, include Ikaris standing in an oasis in the Iraqi desert, any cosmic meetings with the massive Celestial Arishem, a frozen river in South Dakota, the transformation of a Deviant into a humanoid being and the emerging of a golden-colored Celestial in the midst of a volcanic eruption.
Best extras: Miss Zhao, production visual effects supervisor Stephane Ceretti and additional visual effects supervisor Marten Larsson casually explore the film — focused on, as one could guess, the effects with the artists at her side.
In a very relaxed discussion, with lots of laughs, they discuss locations, (remembering sometimes getting sandblasted on a daily basis); the fleeting homages to Kirby’s designs; the importance of digitally removing a wagging dog’s tail; creating the sounds for Ikaris’ golden eye beams; and how digital effects evolve the tools of storytelling.
Next, viewers get a 10-minute brief overview of the production, touching on Kirby’s original vision, costuming, locations; and covering story themes that mix science fiction, ancient history, family drama, romance and the celebration of Earth.
That’s followed by a brief, very precursory five-minute look at the characters with the actors often gushing about their roles.
If ever a movie needed a major encyclopedic primer as a featurette or onscreen interactive, it’s the “Eternals.”
Alas, viewers will sweat to understand this complicated creation that is now being wedged into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• Joseph Szadkowski can be reached at jszadkowski@washingtontimes.com.
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