Film: Eternals (2021)

The movie juggernaut that is Marvel Studios, thunders on with their 26th production – “Eternals“.

For reasons that I can’t quite recall, I didn’t get round to seeing this at the cinema when it was first released in the UK on the 5th of November last year. And that’s quite rare for me – I’m normally queuing within 2 nano-seconds of a Marvel Studio’s release! 😯

It was only a couple of months before this, that we had Marvel’s then-latest: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, hitting the big screen back on September 6th, 2021 – and that was excellent! (And since then, we’ve also had Spider-man: No Way Home released). I even knew those who normally wouldn’t be associated with anything containing ‘super-hero’ in the content, commenting how good Shang-Chi was – and Spider-man did really well at the Box Office too! Some eternally large shoes to fill then!! 🤔.

And, just to put things into context, I’ve enjoyed all the 25 Marvel releases so far (well, maybe apart from the two Guardians of the Galaxy outings – I never really ‘got’ those! 🙄).

But, in spite of Marvel’s great track record, I’m going into Eternals with some trepidation. Reviews by the professional critics just after it was first released, suggested this one’s a bit of a misfire. Rotten Tomatoes only gave it 47% – Ouch! 🤐. Why? The consensus seems to be: Too many characters; not enough time to get to know them; a drawn-out plot; and CGI that looked like a bit of an afterthought.

It’s got a stellar cast though, so maybe they’re all just being a bit fussy! Possibly! 🤔

Anyway, what do they know? 😮

The Creatives

Cast
Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kit Harington, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Ma Dong-seok

Director
Chloé Zhao

Writing Credits
Chloé Zhao (screenplay)
Patrick Burleigh (screenplay)
Ryan Firpo (screenplay)
Kaz Firpo (screenplay)
Ryan Firpo (screen story)
Kaz Firpo (screen story)
Jack Kirby (Marvel Comics)

Techy Specs
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos/IMAX 6-Track/Dolby Digital/DTS (DTS: X)
Aspect Ratio: 1.90:1 (IMAX version)/2.39:1 (Theatrical version)
Cinematography: ARRIRAW (4.5K) (source format)/Digital Intermediate (4K) (master format)/Dolby Vision/Super 16 (source format)
Processing: Laboratory: Company 3, Los Angeles (CA), USA (colour & finish) and Pinewood Digital (digital dailies)
Negative Format: 16 mm (Kodak Ektachrome 100D 7294) Codex
Printed Film Format: D-Cinema (also 3D version)/DCP Digital Cinema Package

Full cast and crew, courtesy of IMDB, is HERE.

The Plot

The Eternals, a race of immortal beings with superhuman powers who have
secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years, reunite to battle the evil Deviants.

Fast-forward to the 12th January 2021, and rather sooner than I expected (thanks to streaming giant Disney+) the movie was now available to watch from the comfort of your own home (even before the DVD release!) 😮

And to make things feel a bit more special, it was being beamed into homes in iMax Enhanced (techy explanation here!) – unique to Disney+! 👍

I know, try to contain your excitement, knowing that this special presentation has a screen ratio of 1.90:1, instead of the usual 2.35:1 widescreen release! Simply put: no black bars top and bottom! (Stay awake at the back!). Well, I’m excited!!!! 😜

So, a few weeks after Disney+’s official day of release, tonight we invited Jo and Janet up for a second opinion – helped by a communal Curry-fest! But would the yummy food and the absence of the bars of colour be enough to silence these assembled armchair critics?

Click for the Curries… 😉

…and to finish, surely the best foody-creation ever for ending a curry night – ‘Little Moons‘. It was only the second time I’d tried these, but they really were the ideal dessert for post-curry experiences! 😋😋

Curry Rating

It’s another long one (Ooo, Matron! 😜) – 2 hours 36 minutes. So, see you on the other side!

How was it?

Steve Palmer

I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s!

My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community.

But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure!

On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there’s no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!

I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!