I finally had a chance to sit down and stream the latest MCU movie and, while it may not be the best MCU movie, I do not understand all the negativity about this one. I thought it was a perfectly good time, and it was fun!

Iman Vellani shines as Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel. Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau and Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, round out the team with solid performances as well, but it’s Vellani who provides the movie’s heart (I can’t wait to see her lead a Young Avengers movie).

The story follows the trio as their powers become entangled, causing them to switch places whenever they use them (which leads to some pretty great action sequences). All of this occurs as Carol is investigating the activity of Kree revolutionary Dar-Benn, who is on a mission to both save her own planet and avenge it on Carol. In facing both Dar-Benn and Monica, Carol is forced to reckon with the mistakes of her past while trying to live up to the expectations of young hero Kamala, who idolizes her.

On the plus side, The Marvels has a cast that gels well and seem to be having a good time, a plot that doesn’t drag, and doesn’t take itself overly seriously. My one complaint is that much like Captain Marvel, I feel like this movie had the potential to go deeper emotionally & thematically, but opted to keep the plot moving briskly (it is the shortest MCU film to date). It did take a few more risks than its predecessor, with the brief musical number and the probably the weirdest rescue solution in cinema history.

Also, as a side note, this movie’s plot arc cements for me how far the Secret Invasion series on Disney+ missed the mark. Ms. Marvel, WandaVision, and Captain Marvel all flow into The Marvels fine with their respective characters and plot points, but the Nick Fury in Secret Invasion only belongs in Secret Invasion and that whole series feels like a continuity error.

All in all, if you’re just looking to watch a superhero movie for fun, The Marvels will do just fine. Personally, I wish there were a little bit more of it to watch!