If you’re a Geek Girl Riot listener, then you’ve heard us talk about the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and its representation of women. We spin it a lot—at drinking wine around the fire pit levels. We’ve been uneasy about the MCU treatment of heroines and their mental health, and how much it differs from their treatment of young women.
Think about it: Black Widow (who calls herself a monster after being sterilized), Scarlett Witch (who becomes a villain out of grief), Captain Marvel (a deus ex machina who doesn’t deus AKA never saves the day), Slyvie (ultimate Karen who destroys the universe), and Jenn Hulk (who goes from Basic to Karen with zero accountability—and we’re supposed to believe that’s character development). All of them are portrayed as less than heroes and somehow they come up lacking next to the Marvel men, even when they’re smarter and more powerful. Even when those men are villainous in their actions too. I’m thinking of Stark and Strange (which sounds like a streaming horror series). The indictment holds true with Monica Rambeau, who could be heroic but is often sidelined or serves as a human shield.
Sidebar: Kevin Fiege, if you’re listening, give us a Monica Rambeau x Jimmy Wu series where they travel the world solving strange mysteries.
Back to the MCU’s issues with women. It’s different with young women. They are better represented and are given fuller roles. Like the Kate Bishop Hawkeye (who rises up and inspires other heroes) or Ms. Marvel (a delight who is one of the more heroic characters we’ve seen).
With those opposing portrayals at war in our minds, we went to see the latest MCU team-up with cautious hope. Directed by Nia DaCosta, and written by DaCosta, Megan McDonnell, and Elissa Karasik, The Marvels spent more time in the news for rumored reshoots and low box office predictions than for being the first fully femme-led movie to come out of the Marvel Cinematic cannon (you like that pun? I’m kinda proud).
Let’s get into it. The set-up is clever. A new Kree villain, Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), is hunting for a bangle we recognize from the Ms. Marvel series. As Monica/Photon (Teyonah Parris) points out Dar-Benn, “tore a hole in space.” Which leads Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to call his old friend Carol/Captain Marvel (Brie Larson). Monica and Carol end up on the case, but from two different points in the galaxy. Why? Unresolved issues. Family bonds are tricky. The Auntie and her Niece can’t resist playing with the cosmic glitter surrounding the space-holes and—as glitter does—it sticks to them. Somehow, through a branch of quantum psychics only quantifiable in the minds of Marvel Comics, Monica, Carol, and the third “Marvel” Kamala/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), get entangled. Thus, every time they use their powers they switch places. What ensues is an inventive and hilarious trifecta of fight sequences. After the hijinks, the three have the problem of Dar-Benn, her goals, and the newest world-ending threat to resolve. Thus The Marvels team is born.
The Marvels is cute and fluffy. Unfortunately, most MCU fans are likely to pan it but that is more likely a function of the types of movies they’ve been programmed to expect from the massive franchise. The writing is better than it appears because it doesn’t call attention to itself. For example, the three Marvels learn to synchronize their timing while fighting by jumping Double Dutch. This seems benign but if you’ve ever jumped or turned the ropes, you’ll know how difficult it is to suddenly switch from one to the other. Double Dutch is also known for its team building, DaCosta is telling us something.
Similarly, the reasons these women choose to apologize to each other are important. Rarely do we see that level of self-awareness in these movies. On another note, even though Kamala idolizes Carol, the younger woman finds the strength to go against Carol’s orders and do what she knows is right. The abilities to apologize and course-correct are on display but might be missed because the movie is a big ole yarn ball of silliness (a flerken’s playground). I’m okay with this because we can all use a bit more playfulness right now.
Fellow GGR host, Philip Jean-Pierre said this is the most human the MCU characters have felt in a long time and I get what he’s saying. A lot of that comes through from the family dynamics. Kamala’s family (sans her sister-in-law) shows up more than expected and they’re fabulous. So good, you could call this movie Ms. Marvel Season 2: The Marvels. It’s a sweet n’ sour factor of the storytelling. Because the Khans are so charismatic they have too much screentime. The result is Carol and Monica’s family dynamics are undercooked. That would have been a perfect parallel strengthening the “all about family” motif of the movie—especially if you throw in Grandpa Fury—but the Khans (beautifully) take up that space and there’s no counterbalance.
The best moments are when Carol, Monica, and Kamala take the time to bond. They’re good together and their trio makes everything else gel. Like gummy bears and everlasting gobstoppers—The Marvels is a wild Willy Wonka kind of movie. Park Seo-Joon, of K-Drama royalty, makes a cameo as a planetary Prince who sings. I don’t know why it happens but I’m unbothered. It’s cute. Yet I’m not sure the rest of the audience will be as breezy as I am.
However, there is something that caught me frowning: There’s a mid-credit scene that screams Marvel is scrambling to regain the love of the fandom (you’ll know what I mean when you see it). Pandering is a perennial red flag. Is the MCU worried about what’s next? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
The Marvels is cute, weird, and wonky with PowerPuff vibes. I’m good with that.
** bonus, even though Monica Rambeau doesn’t officially get her hero name, Kamala calls a bunch of them out while brainstorming. She may have also mentioned “Dr. Light” IYKYK
RIOTUS 