Eternals
2021 · Directed by Chloé Zhao
Original language: English
- science fiction
- action
- adventure
The story
The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants.
What it’s like
Sweeping, wide-angle vistas of ancient landscapes shot in saturated golden hour, then cut against cooler, glossier digital interiors of a modern city, with the camera drifting handheld through crowded streets and sunlit ruins alike. The palette swings between warm ochres and deep jungle greens and the cold blue-white of starship corridors, and the effects-heavy spectacle is loud but often pauses for quiet, sun-washed character moments. Sound leans on a big orchestral score with lots of swelling strings and a few hushed, reflective passages. Its vibe is epic, earnest and warm, a comfortable blockbuster to put on for a Friday night with friends or as an easy, familiar-feeling watch on a long-haul flight. Pacing is brisk and bombastic, with dialogue-heavy scenes between action set pieces; emotional arcs follow a family of immortals slowly confronting old grudges, loyalty, and what they owe the humans they have quietly watched for millennia. Violence is frequent and CGI-driven, with stylised battles, creature fights and some explosive destruction, but little gore and no graphic sexual content; fear is mild. Suited to fans of superhero spectacle who want something big, colourful and gently heartfelt rather than grim.
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