Eternals Is Better On Disney+ Than In Movie Theaters

Eternals, the worst-reviewed MCU movie so far, is better suited to be on the streaming platform Disney+ than in movie theaters. Directed by Nomadland creator Chloé Zhao, Eternals was met with mixed critical and audience reviews upon its release. Although the film’s opening weekend of $162 million was the second-highest for a pandemic Hollywood film, it still fell short of the various pre-release projections. Some critics attributed this to Eternals being divisively received. But now that the superhero film is already added to the MCU’s catalog on Disney+, perhaps Eternals can stand better on its own terms there.

Eternals follows the eponymous group of immortal aliens as they emerge from their lives of blending in with the humans in order to protect the world from the Deviants. Despite its promising cast ensemble and director, the superhero epic was heavily criticized for its screenplay and pacing. Consequently, among the MCU movies, Eternals was the first to be rated Rotten, with the reviews pointing out its failed deviation from the franchise’s tried-and-tested yet broken formula. Before its release, the film was also review-bombed on IMDB, focusing on its LGBTQ+ representation. Although IMDB deleted those false reviews, the damage was already done, and arguably those who watched Eternals entered movie theaters with negative expectations in mind.

After two months and one week from its theatrical release, Eternals has finally made the title available on Disney+ for free — a move that somehow benefits its reputation. Through a streaming release, Eternals is removed from the idea of being an MCU event, discarding the accompanying pressure of beating box-office records and the weight of maintaining the franchise’s brand of quality. Without the external biases caused by online reviews and presumptions, viewers can actually watch and formulate their own opinion about the film. This can give Eternals, which serves as Blade’s MCU debut, a chance to truly shine on its own.

The Eternals together looking into the distance

Moreover, movies available on streaming platforms are generally held to a lower standard, especially by first-time viewers. Those unfamiliar with the intricate comic-book lore of the Eternals can dive into the Marvel film without worrying about its supposed quality. Plus, because Eternals is made more accessible, more people can watch it at their convenience, especially those taking precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic. The film gaining more exposure can fuel talks and discussions on social media. Although Eternals being released on Disney+ will not drastically change public opinion, it can perhaps provide an avenue for audiences to finally discuss the merits of the film and appreciate the passion and dedication that came with it.

Sadly, Eternals, which sets up Thanos’ return, bore the weight of the MCU fans’ expectations. Some were optimistic that the inclusion of an independent filmmaker such as Zhao would usher in a new era of superhero films, while others were wary of Marvel straying away from what made the franchise successful. Either way, eager fans were disappointed, ultimately affecting Eternals’ run in movie theaters. Hopefully, Eternals becoming an addition to Disney+ is its second chance to prove its rightful place not just in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but in the film industry as well.

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