After the return of half the population in Avengers: Endgame ignites “the emergence”, the Eternals—an immortal alien race created by the Celestials who have secretly lived on Earth for over 7,000 years—reunite to protect humanity from their evil counterparts, the Deviants.

Fresh off her Academy Award-winning work on the dramatic Nomadland, director Chloé Zhao jumps headfirst into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and opens audiences up to a brand new cast of characters with The Eternals, a group of extraterrestrial gods who have a massive connection to the very foundation of the MCU and she gets to stretch her creativity as a filmmaker with this project to a very cosmic level. As a director, Zhao strikes the right balance between the massive scale and intimate emotion that works its way into Eternals and she uses a unique storytelling frame to explore the presence of the Eternals and their place both in the past and present on Earth and how they have shaped human existence from the shadows.

Zhao also leans heavily into the design aesthetic and storytelling of the great Jack Kirby; an artist who was a literal world-builder and who along with his collaborator Stan Lee helped to craft the entire Marvel Universe. The Eternals where his singular creation and Zhao revisits the unique design language that Kirby established when bringing these characters to life and by injecting Kirby’s unique rendering style into the project she truly marks Eternals out as a Marvel film that does not look like any other previous MCU films. Added to the unique look and feel of Eternals is its stunning visual effects and cinematography, and with the presence of its cosmic atmosphere and the arrival of the mighty Celestials, Eternals stands out as a very impressive visual specimen.

Eternals is a complete ensemble piece and Zhao has assembled quite the cast. Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie make up this eclectic cast of characters and each brings their unique sensibilities and personality to this very diverse group of characters. Splitting the Eternals up into the ‘fighters’ who include Madden, Nanjiani, Ridloff, Lee and Jolie and the ‘thinkers’ who include Chan, McHugh, Henry, Keoghan and Hayek keeps the action and storytelling of the film’s narrative interesting, while also adding to the sense of family that the film builds on and the drama that comes with it. This pack of heroes is certainly the most unique mix that we’ve so far seen in the MCU and Zhao leans into each of the actor’s personalities and quirks to distinguish the Eternals from other more established MCU heroes.

Of particular note in Eternals is Richard Madden as the heroically stoic Ikaris. Standing tall and proud and presenting a considerable action man gravitas to his performance, Madden holds the attention of the screen as the high-flying Ikrais and proves that he has the chops to handle the role of the leading man. Madden brings a grand sense of power to his role as Ikaris and it’s a solid performance that marks him out as an actor to watch. He’s juxtaposed as Ikaris with the presence of Gemma Chan’s Sersi who is more reserved in her performance and who offers audiences a path into the world of the Eternals, and she brings a great maturity to her role and position as Sersi.

Breaking things up and bringing a fun sense of levity to the heavy drama of Eternals is Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo and this is Nanjiani as we’ve never seen him before/ Playing Kingo as an egotistical playboy who has embraced the opportunities that eternal life has granted him, Nanjiani has a blast really shifting things up and his outlook in the film has an important part to play in the narrative. Lia McHugh also marks herself out as a true revelation as Sprite, an ‘old soul’ who brings plenty of dramatic tension to the story and who holds her own with the older members of the cast. Angelina Jolie also really shifts things up as the warrior Thena, and she plays with plenty of heavy emotions and her role is marked by key feelings of trauma and loss. Kit Harrington also makes a very interesting cameo appearance as Dane Whitman, a human mortal who is guarding a dangerous lineage and the secrets that come with it, and who makes a keen impression on audiences.

Eternals is a real rush of a ride, and after a year of lockdowns and more smaller-scale forms of entertainment it’s so much fun to finally be back in front of a big screen and the epic reach that only the cinema can present. Zhao showcases an amazing level of dynamic action that will have your blood pumping and Eternals is an exciting time at the cinema for sure. From laser-energy battles with the hellish Deviants to the presence of the all-consuming force of the mighty Celestials, Eternals packs a hell of a lot of energy onto the big screen and the result is a very cool cinematic presentation, unlike anything we’ve ever seen from Marvel Studios on the big screen before.

Eternals is a Marvel film that takes risks and wins big with its narrative, visuals and universe expanding concepts and injects a host of fantastic new energy into the still-growing Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s superhero cinema done big and bold and Marvel fans get one hell of a cool treat with this one.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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Rocketman is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John’s (Taron Egerton) breakthrough years.The film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John.

Cinema adaptations documenting the lives of musical artists are nothing new, but Rocketman is a whole new different type of fabulous as it takes audiences behind the life of one Reginald Dwight, who is reborn on stage behind his piano as Elton John (Taron Egerton) and the rest, as they say, is history. Noted actor turned director Dexter Fletcher (Eddie the Eagle, Bohemian Rhapsody) is on hand to guide the fantastical tale that is Rocketman and it’s the music that leads the way here into a path and life of unfiltered fantasy. Taking their cues from John’s eclectic collection of music, Fletcher and his team use the musician’s songs to tell his life story in a way where it’s the music that speaks for John, and this combined with a sharp sense of magical-fantasy makes for a very appealing watch.

Taking on the role of John Elton is one of Hollywood’s brightest young stars in the form of Welsh actor Taron Egerton, and while he’s become a solid box office draw, Egerton really sets himself a challenge with Rocketman and he delivers totally and absolutely here. As John, his role is lived rather than just performed and with every passing frame on the screen, you feel as if you are watching Elton himself expressed through Egerton. This is no mere performance, but a fantastical mirrored self that we see on stage wrapped up in some fantastical musically charged dream. The young actor doesn’t hold back on anything here, and he really lets himself open to a broad range of emotions and experiences that chronicles the breathtaking highs, crushing lows and miraculous redemption of John’s life and career. It’s a completely sincere and brave performance and you’ll be hooked by Egerton’s flamboyance on screen in what is his personal love letter to a man he idolizes.

Joining Egerton in Rocketman are Jaime Bell as John’s best friend and lyrical composer Bernie Taupin and Richard Madden as the charismatic, yet dangerous music manager John Reid and both actors bring plenty to this fantastical film. As Taupin Bell acts the part as John’s conscience, and the guy who is constantly on his side. Taupin is the one steady person that John has in his life and together they set out to the conquer the world and discover through their shared passion a life that truly goes far beyond their dreams. Bell has great chemistry alongside Egerton, and you completely buy into the friendship and life long trust that these platonic soul mates share together.

On the other side of this is Richard Madden as the devilishly charming John Reid, a young music manager who takes an interest in John, both professionally and privately and their’s is a complicated and frenzied love affair. Madden excels at portraying this wolf in a tailored suit who uses his cunning and charisma to take John to the top, but who at the same time also uses the artist to suit his own needs. It’s a challenging part for the young actor and Madden seriously smashes it out of the park. He may be the villain, but he’s very, very good at it.

Fletcher and his cast really don’t shy away from the extremes of John’s life, and the way this grand personage is expressed on screen is a fabulous feast for your senses. Every force truly comes together here for something that is utterly fabulous to behold and the screen sparkles in every corner. With fantastic set design, costuming, make-up and hair, and a beautifully directed sense of cinematography, courtesy of the eye of George Richmond, Rocketman makes for an exquisite production. It shines with a fantastical Baroque quality and it’s rich details certainly pull you in deeper. In terms of my own favourite set piece I’d have to choose Elton’s first performances at the Troubadour in Los Angeles and the slick cool of the 1960s, as my highlight and when he slams down on the keys of his piano to ‘Crocodile Rock’ and ‘Tiny Dancer’ truly lift off.

Added to the fantastical images is the film’s marvellous soundtrack and it’s here that Egerton really shines. While audiences have long known that he was a talented songbird, the young star is allowed immense freedom of expression here as he reinterprets John’s revered collection of tunes and the results are enchanting. ‘Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)’, ‘Tiny Dancer’, ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’, ‘Pinball Wizard’ and the titular ‘Rocketman’ light up the screen and your soul, and with Egerton’s interpretative vocals you’ll be sure to be grooving in your seat.

But while the film certainly captures your senses and enchants your eyes and ears, it’s central theme of self-love and acceptance is what will really touch your heart. Rocketman is essentially the story of a man learning to love himself for who he is, and allowing himself to believe that he is worthy of this most cherished human emotion. In a world that moves so fast and where it can sometimes be difficult to stop and concentrate on yourself, it’s a heartwarming thing to see and as Egerton’s Elton comes to accept that he can be loved and that he will love in return, well, it’ll certainly bring a smile to your face and fill your heart up with a profound sense of joy.

Rocketman is a magical, marvellous and musical adventure of a truly amazing performer and life and it is packed together with astounding colour and a very important message. It’s a film that will make you feel alive and leave you burning with passion and a keen sense to get up and groove, so make sure you climb aboard this spaceship and fly off into the stratosphere with Elton.

Image: Paramount Pictures

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Elba brings his trademark cool to the role of CIA field operative Sean Briar, playing a man who speaks in the form of direct and brutal action. This all-action approach marks Briar as an instantly memorable character, and provides a great collision course of tension with Richard Madden’s street smart pickpocket Michael Mason. As Mason, rising film star Madden really plays up a street punk attitude, presenting a character who’s unashamedly out for himself. Elba and Madden make for a great screen pair, and there’s a real oddball buddy cop flavour between the two that’s fun to watch.

While Elba and Madden shine in their respective roles, it’s Watkins’ handling of the spy genre that really makes Bastille Day an awesome watch. From its highly unconventional and revealing opening to the in-your-face-action scenes, it’s clear the director knows how to put on a good show. There are plenty of twists and turns, and some very unexpected shocks, and even veteran thriller fans won’t be able to guess what happens next.

While many have called for Elba to take on the role of James Bond, I’m frankly keen to see him return as Briar for future adventures. This character and the world he inhabits feels fresh and fun, and Elba wastes no time getting the audience hooked.

If you’re an action fan in need of an adrenaline fix, then buy a ticket to Bastille Day, sit back and enjoy the ride.

Image: Studio Canal

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