As the curtains rise on The Marvels, which at worst could become the latest banality spectacle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, all eyes are on its debut performance – not just at the box office, but on the critical stage of Rotten Tomatoes.
With a current score of 61% based on 196 reviews, this Captain Marvel sequel finds itself in a peculiar position. It’s a score that doesn’t spell disaster, but it’s hardly a triumph either. Scores from the audience, however, paint a completely different picture, as the film currently stands at an 85% approval rating from over 250 certified ratings.
Is there a chance that we might have judged The Marvels a bit too harshly? It certainly seems that critics have, but this is an increasing trend in Hollywood where the chasm between the average filmgoer and the snobbier critic.
Marvel Studios, known for its recent string of misses, faces a rare moment of celebration with its latest “Fresh” title, despite whispers of superhero fatigue and talks of the MCU’s waning charm. Let’s not jump the gun here – with more reviews on the horizon, this score isn’t set in stone. The real question is, will it climb to greater heights or take a nosedive?
Set against the backdrop of previous releases, The Marvels currently outshines Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and Eternals, but doesn’t quite reach the mark set by Thor: Love and Thunder. It’s a middle ground that could sway in any direction, depending on who you ask.
Fans often dismiss Rotten Tomatoes scores for films they adore, while naysayers use them as ammunition. It’s kinda like the movie scene’s Metacritic in that sense, and equally destructive to good-faith discourse. The true test, however, lies in the court of public opinion. Will this score influence your decision to catch the film this weekend?
At the heart of The Marvels is Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, reclaiming her identity and grappling with the aftermath of her actions against the Kree. Joined by Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) and her estranged niece, Captain Monica Rambeau, this all-female trio sets out on a mission to stabilize a universe thrown off balance.
Starring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani, The Marvels seems to have made its entry with the fanfare of a bigger, better film than its trailers let on. While the jury’s still out on the Nia DaCosta film, we can confidently assert that Marvel Studios will view this as a major triumph.
