It is not a new phenomenon in Hollywood that movies that are often critically and commercially panned end up getting recognized as great films years after their release. The MCU is no stranger to this phenomenon, with Eternals being the latest film getting this treatment. Critically panned at the theatres upon its release and largely snubbed by fans, Eternals has come out as a favorite of a host of people, who have taken to the Internet to talk about their newfound appreciation for the film.
However, the film is now being compared to some of the better films in the franchise, even being touted as better than the likes of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which is one of Marvel’s highest-grossing films for the MCU. Such comparisons have angered Spider-Man: No Way Home fans and caused them to take to the internet to defend the film.
Eternals is not comparable to Spider-Man: No Way Home
Despite all the newfound praise that Eternals has been getting from fans, the comparison with Spide-Man: No Way Home might have been a step too far for a few people. Defending No Way Home, fans had more than a few sour things to say about Eternals online:
So I’ve watched it a few times now. It had some great ideas and interesting twists. The Celestials on the big screen were SO cool. The CGI was incredible. But honestly, the story just fell flat in a lot of areas.
Contrary to popular belief, I thought the casting was terrible…
— Buckeye HQ (@RealisticBuck) March 14, 2024
It was a bad movie. Poorly executed. Nuff said.
— Laughing Gravely (@LaughingGravely) March 14, 2024
Keep NWH outta this mess
— kai (rick grimes pr manager ) 🇵🇸 (@natashasfather) March 14, 2024
Because it was boring with unlikable paper thin characters.
Just my opinion. And I love the mcu
— Ben Piper (@411s_Ben_Piper) March 14, 2024
Are you saying NWH was bad? Dude, that’s an awful take. Just awful
— Gregory Nichols (@disgrntldmetfan) March 14, 2024
Spider-Man: Now Way Home remains one of the most beloved MCU films in the history of the franchise, especially following the success and hype of Avengers: Endgame. While Eternals could have a renaissance of its own when it comes to fan engagement and appreciation, it is in no way better than the Tom Holland starrer, as fans have made clear in their outpour of support for the film.
Eternals could have benefited from being an MCU streaming series
Despite the breathtaking visuals of the Eternals, the film failed to deliver on characters and plot, something that was constrained by the time that the film had on its hands. Given the slew of characters that were introduced in the film, and the overarching plot of the story, Eternals could have benefited from being a 10-part miniseries before the characters made their debut in films.
Time needed to be taken to establish the characters in full force, allowing the audiences to get to know them, before the plot with Arishem and the Celestials was introduced. Ideally, a great introduction for the Eternals would have been a miniseries that explores their lives on Earth, perhaps intersecting with key events, like the arrival of Ego on Planet Earth, and could have ended with the death of Ajak, kicking off the plot of Eternals, which could have been a concise, tightly knit superhero-murder mystery, perhaps with a focus on the Deviants.
