This movie isn't going to cure 'Marvel fatigue.' But that's never stopped the studio before

“Marvel fatigue” is a phrase bandied about as audiences seem less inclined to rush out and see whatever the studio puts out.

Maybe we’re just sick of superhero fare. Maybe audiences miss Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson. Or maybe the movies just aren't that good anymore, if they ever were. (Pro tip: some were. Some were not.)

Desperate measures seem possible, with rumors floating around that perhaps some of the old guard — think Iron Man and Captain America and Black Widow — might be brought back into the fold, despite some of them being dead (a minor inconvenience in a franchise that’s gone whole hog for the multiverse).

Whatever the case, it puts a lot of pressure on a film like “The Marvels,” the latest adventure of Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel. Will this be the cure for Marvel Fatigue? Or simply toss more dirt on the coffin?

Break out the shovels.

Who are the 3 Marvels?

OK, maybe that’s a little harsh. “The Marvels” boasts a talented director in Nia DaCosta, who did a nice job with the 2021 “Candyman” remake. Larson, an outstanding actor, has always been a bit of a weird fit for Captain Marvel — she always seems a little surprised and distracted at being here, but that’s maybe part of the character. Teyonah Parris brings some emotional energy to Monica Rambeau, who has a history with Carol Danvers, Captain Marvel’s not-so-secret identity.

And Iman Vellani is just fantastic as Kamala Khan, the Captain Marvel-worshipping Jersey City girl from the “Ms. Marvel” series, a role she reprises in “The Marvels.” Kamala's initial fangirling over meeting her hero gives way to seeing her as a person, which actually plays out a little less clichéd than that sounds. Vellani modulates the transition really well. She’s a delight.

Plus, at one point the film breaks out into a full-on musical. But that’s part of the problem. To say “The Marvels” is all over the place is to imply that there is an anchor to it somewhere. There’s not.

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Iman Vellani is the best thing about 'The Marvels'

The story emits a strong whiff of who cares? Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton), a Kree revolutionary, has big plans that, while helping out her cause, which is probably not worth spoiling, threatens, you know, the universe, that kind of thing. If you don’t know who the Kree are, don’t fret. It’s not essential to your understanding.

Mostly what you need to know is that, thanks to some intergalactic doings, Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel and Monica, who they can’t figure out a name for (it’s a running joke, not that funny), get their powers all mixed up, which somehow means when they use them at the same time they switch places.

This leads to chaotic fight scenes at the outset as they’re trying to figure things out, mostly to the chagrin — and utter destruction of the home — of Kamala’s family.

Eventually they figure out they have to band together (they’re the Marvels, get it, hahaha, whatever) to stop Dar-Benn from her nefarious designs. Dar-Benn just kind of pops up every now and then for a while, as the film focuses on the Marvels bonding. It doesn’t exactly build tension. But the scenes with the three of them together are definitely highlights. A reference to “Cats” is pretty funny (though the notion of “cats ex machina” occurred to me). And thanks wholly to Vellani’s delivery, a Walt Whitman reference is inspired. If there’s a reason to watch this movie, she’s it.

What seems like increasingly desperate marketing for the film promises “the moment that changes everything.” Presumably, that is either a scene toward the end or the requisite mid-credits scene, both of which simply ensure that the Marvel Cinematic Universe will continue until the sun burns out, as if there were any doubt.

'The Marvels' 2 stars

Great ★★★★★ Good ★★★★

Fair ★★★ Bad ★★ Bomb ★

Director: Nia DaCosta.

Cast: Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani.

Rating: PG-13 for action/violence and brief language.

How to watch: In theaters Friday, Nov. 10.

Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. X, formerly known as Twitter: @goodyk.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'The Marvels' review: Just one more messy movie from a tired franchise