The balance between exposition and action feels out of kilter. There are ideas and plot devices that can’t be fully expressed in mere sentences and the Marvel movie’s proclivity to build to a spectacular final reel seemed unavoidable. This does little to enliven the final results.

The expansion of ideas taps into some interesting avenues and things look dire for most of the human race until the final crescendo. That there is hope for humankind by film’s end is of some redemption.

As far as origin stories go Eternals sets itself a heavy task for future films as one struggles this time to retain character details, names, and actions. The feeling of this work being relegated to being just an extended trailer for what comes next is difficult to overcome.

Rob Hudson
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The outstanding ensemble cast includes Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, with Kit Harington as Dane Whitman, with Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena.

Chloé Zhao directs the film, and Kevin Feige and Nate Moore are the producers, with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso and Kevin de la Noy serving as executive producers. The story is by Ryan Firpo & Matthew K. Firpo, and the screenplay is by Chloé Zhao and Chloé Zhao & Patrick Burleigh. Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” opens in Australian cinemas Nov. 4, 2021.

Eternals opens in Australian cinemas November 4, 2021
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The epic story, spanning thousands of years, features a group of immortal heroes forced out of the shadows to reunite against mankind’s oldest enemy, The Deviants.

The outstanding ensemble cast includes Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena. Kit Harington plays Dane Whitman.

Eternals will be released in Australian cinemas November 4!
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Most would be familiar by now with the main storyline behind the series, that of the young boy Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) who befriends a dragon and forever changes the way his Viking tribe sees these majestic beasts. The movies have been consistently satisfying from a story telling aspect and each new edition adds that little bit more to their ethos.

In this, the last addition, we get to see Hiccup become a man and take over his duties as leader of the tribe (after the death of his father in the previous film). This transition has been incremental and feels natural. That aspect of the story has never been forced and the films have benefited greatly from that approach.

Humans living side by side with beasts and dreams of a utopian society have been behind some fantastic stories throughout time and you can add the How To Train Your Dragon films to that list. As a storytelling medium, the computer generated image has seldom be used to such great effect.

Rob Hudson
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How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World – final film in the beloved trilogy will be in Australian cinemas before anywhere else in the world on January 3rd!
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What began as an unlikely friendship between an adolescent Viking and a fearsome Night Fury dragon has become an epic trilogy spanning their lives.  In this next chapter, Hiccup and Toothless will finally discover their true destinies: the village chief as ruler of Berk alongside Astrid, and the dragon as leader of his own kind.  As both ascend, the darkest threat they’ve yet faced—as well as the appearance of a female Night Fury—will test the bonds of their relationship like never before.

For How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, series director Dean DeBlois returns alongside the all-star cast.  The film is produced by Brad Lewis (Ratatouille, ANTZ) and How to Train Your Dragon series producer Bonnie Arnold (Toy Story, Tarzan).

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is in cinemas March 28, 201!
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