The Marvels is hitting theaters any day now theaters, but instead of hyping the film, the latest trailer has sparked more questions and doubt among the Marvel faithful (though we have to admit, it’s better than the first one). In a surprising twist, the final teaser has revealed that Valkyrie, the Asgardian warrior, will be joining the fray.
While this cameo might usually be a cause for celebration, it has left some fans wondering if this is a sign of a narrative struggling to find its place in the ridiculous mess that is Phase Five. The film, which boasts a runtime that’s shorter than its predecessors, features Brie Larson returning as Captain Marvel, with Iman Vellani and Teyonah Parris rounding out the central cast.
The all-female trio faces off against the mysterious Dar-Benn, played by Zawe Ashton, in what’s expected to be a cosmic battle. However, the inclusion of Valkyrie has raised eyebrows, with her role in the film unclear – is it a mere cameo, or is there a larger part to play?
From the beginning, we get the impression of a very different tone from the previous lighthearted approach used in the first trailer. Sadly, this is simply a poor attempt by Marvel to grasp at the coattails of the MCU’s past glory. Captain Marvel was an Avenger for all of what, 15 seconds? Yet, Marvel would have us believe that she was integral to the Infinity Saga as much as Steve Rogers.
With the callbacks to a “different reality bleeding into ours,” this as a desperate attempt using the multiverse, which is a concept that’s becoming increasingly worn in the fabric of the MCU. Moreover, the tease of a multiverse angle, coupled with the confirmation of Ms. Marvel’s mutant status, has fans speculating about the introduction of the X-Men into the MCU. While this should be an exciting prospect, the trailer’s delivery has left some feeling that it’s more of a forced integration than a natural progression of the storyline.
Look, I’m not a Marvel hater or any other term used to refer to people who don’t think every MCU project possesses the necessary Kubrickesque qualities. In fact, I am a big fan of the first three phases of the MCU that Kevin Feige ambitiously put together to realize the grand vision of The Avengers initiative.
However, what’s actually happening within the MCU right now is embarrassing. It’s easy to see that the latest efforts are reflective of a certain unease, as if The Marvels is unsure of its place in the broader MCU narrative.
Perhaps there’s a glimmer of hope left in the MCU’s future, but as for The Marvels, it seems destined to crash and burn when it makes its premiere on November 10.
