As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) expands with “Phase 4,” it’s becoming more inclusive, featuring characters from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Marvel’s latest release, “Eternals”, further promotes inclusivity and diversity in movies.
The movie marks a lot of firsts for the MCU, with Lauren Ridloff, a deaf actress, playing Marvel’s first deaf superhero, alongside Bryan Tyree Henry, who plays Marvel’s first openly gay superhero. The cast also includes many people of color such as Kumail Nanjiani, a Pakistani-American, and Gemma Chan, a Chinese-British woman. The characters came off as more real and human, despite being “Eternals”, because of how diverse the cast was.
Many individuals, especially children, look up to the heroes they see on screen, so seeing a hero that’s like them can shape how they perceive themselves, as well as how others perceive them. Representation in media, especially representation in a popular franchise like Marvel, is a positive step forward for many groups of people.
Aside from the progressive message the film sent out, “Eternals” is definitely a visually stunning and entertaining movie to watch. Many have criticized it for “not feeling like a Marvel movie” or for being “too slow”. While it is different from most Marvel movies, it still holds the humor and soul that's found in every one of their movies. Not only that, but the special effects and action scenes definitely hold up to Marvel’s past films. The movie is action-packed, making it a perfect balance of beautiful character development and excitement.
Overall, it’s a movie that, while still holding some distinct Marvel elements, is different and new which is exciting. “Eternals” marks a new beginning for the MCU.
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