Reviews

In fact, it was going to be the first MCU I intentionally skipped. (In fairness, I never saw Iron Man 1 & The Incredible Hulk in theaters as I wasn't very interested in more superheroes at the time.) But I recently re-watched the entire MCU from Iron Man through Black Widow. I also finished of Secret Invasion (terribly boring) and am halfway through Loki season 2 which is interesting like season 1. So even though I wasn't thrilled with another Captain Marvel movie I still have this nagging feeling to want to still stay in the know with MCU happenings.

This movie isn't bad, but it isn't great either. With our 3 primary protagonists, Rambeau is just a zero burger for me. I'm just not interested in her, her backstory, or any other aspect of the character. Now Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel, I actually do like her and a lot of it has to do with the actress herself. When I was watching the Ms. Marvel Disney+ series, I kinda hated the first episode or two, just didn't feel like I was the target demo (which is fine). But by the time I finished the entire season, the character Kamala has a very endearing quality. Brie Larson's character has been softened a bit from her previous MCU appearances, which is a good thing, but it has also left her feeling a little underdeveloped and milquetoast.

If you have not watched WandaVision and Ms. Marvel you will be very lacking in some character backstories and background. If you haven't watched Loki series some key terminology may be lost on you as well.

The score was serviceable, but also forgettable. Some of the bass sound FX sounded great in the particular auditorium I was in. Some people really appreciate the many 'cat' gags, but I'm not one of them. There was a strange 'melodic' scene, but I'm guessing Marvel execs got a little scared including it and therefore didn't fully commit. It gives it an odd undercooked or trimmed down feeling.

Whenever I see an MCU film that takes place in space, I can't help, but compare it to the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy that did MCU space right, and to a lesser degree Thor: Ragnarok. All other MCU space adventures I've seen aside from those feels severely lacking in creativity and execution. The Marvels falls into the latter category for me.

There were a couple of nice surprises at the end of the movie, but it feels weird having them tacked on to a film that feels middling in the grand MCU saga. If anyone knows me, then you know I was delighted to see the face of a certain unexpected actress.

Another empty bag of an MCU villain. Wow, I knew the actress who portrayed her looked familiar. She previously appeared in a British show I used to watch called Fresh Meat. No shade on the actress herself, she's great, just not given much to work with here.

There is some 'humor' peppered in here and there, but it also has a sense of Marvel not totally wanting to commit. There's nothing cringe, but also nothing I found very funny or entertaining either. Overall this one felt like a decent made for Disney+ streaming movie. See this in theaters if you are a) a die-hard MCU completionist, a massive fan of MCU Captain Marvel, of fan of Ms. Marvel series. If this isn't you, probably best to wait for this on stream.

Also, I did not see the estimated $220 mil budget on screen.

This is one of the rare films I've labeled as DNF, which means I started it once, but 'Did Not Finish' (This and Astro Boy). I had weird reasons for not liking this movie when I attempted to watch it during the mid to late Aughts. Weird when I try to think back to it now. In short, it had something to do with both of the wives seeming so desirable as mates.

My initial thought was, "This reminds me of The Last Picture Show (1971)." And then I see Randy Quaid playing Mr. Aguirre--how fitting. At first I was confused as to why they had to conceal their making camp near the flock, but I get it now upon further review.

The initial hook-up, I suppose is plausible enough. The wives were brilliantly cast (Michelle Williams & Anne Hathaway) and both men were reasonably good to their wives.

A general issue I had was that the time period generally didn't always look authentic. Especially during the 60s. Sure the vehicles look right and the ladies' fashions in later years, but it's probably down to cowboys' attire. Again, especially during the 60s in the movie. Because this story takes place over the course of 20 years, I don't think the leads were aged up appropriately either. Only in their latest scenes do you notice the additional aging make-up around the eyes. Heath Ledger (Ennis) naturally looks more age-appropriate, but when they meet up in the late 70s, Jake Gyllenhaal (Jack) looks especially baby-faced. Would've been a nice touch to add a little gut to one or both of them to.

A couple more inconsequential time period mistakes were one of the Chilean Sheepherder's is wearing a Carhartt brand jacked, but it has the modern logo that didn't debut until 1970. There is a family dinner on Thanksgiving day in which the Packers are playing (maybe?) the Giants. First of all, both teams would never play each other during old school Thanksgiving Day games (must feature Cowboys or Lions until 2006). Also, the Packers never played played on T-giving Day during the 1970s. {I realize this was a very slim-budget movie.}

There were more notable actors cast in side roles. David Harbour (Stranger Things - Hopper) as the Texas ranch owner and Anna Faris as his wife. And a highly unappreciated actress Linda Cardellini as Ennis's later girlfriend. Let's not forget a youthful looking Kate Mara playing Ennis's eldest daughter Jr. Who is a cute as a button.

If I were to give any of the performers an acting award it would be Ledger. I'm not sure about his accent, but aside from that his character feels the most real and complex. Gyllenhaal was fine, but many actors could've done as adequate a job--plus he has more profound acting in other films.

Like The Best Picture Show, this movie feels very 'slice-of-life' that I know not all find appealing--I happen to. Not until the closing credits did I realize Larry McMurtry co-wrote the screen play (and one an Oscar for it) so bonus points for that.

I found it interesting that the stories original writer who also co-wrote the screenplay, Annie Proulx, has said that since the film she has been inundated by gay men who have sent her their versions of fan-fic meant to either alter or extend the story past it's ending. They invariably feature the revelation Jack isn't really dead, Ennis finds another gay boyfriend for life, or their children grow up and marry. All of these sent in with the intent of "fixing" the author's original story.

All in all I liked the movie more than I would've expected, but I think it was barely Oscar nominee worthy.