I'm Going To Eternals Despite The Early Hate Critics Show

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Even Marvel's movies aren't immune from the grief of public scrutiny over issues like sexuality and politics. I remember thinking the same thing when Marvel released Black Panther. Then it was a matter of race that drove the hysterical fear, a fear that was later proven false after the images were proven to be faked. Now, Marvel's Eternals appears to be the next movie on the "haters" hit list.

Maybe it's no surprise that Marvel's recent entry has been getting some bad press. Following the adage, "Controversy Creates Cash," some publications have chosen to do stories centering on the backlash over the same-sex kiss. Apparently when the news first leaked or was released a petition began by a group called One Million Moms. At one point, the petition neared 20,000 signatures as they attempted to raise awareness about Eternals and their plans not to support the film. Their statement at the time, admittedly enough to make me scratch my head, read as follows.

There have been numerous attempts by the entertainment industry to indoctrinate families with the LGBTQ agenda discretely and now, more overtly.

--One Million Moms Petition

Passionate, I get that. I'm passionate about a lot of things. I love the Marvel movies. I love comic book movies. I'm a huge fan of Salma Hayek so, absolutely, I'll be going to see the movie. Indoctrinated, though, I disagree with the term indoctrinated, as it stands with the accusation this is some form of covert indoctrination to the LGBTQ "agenda."

Marvel Studios no doubt knew they were going to face some form of backlash and rushing to this new and "Inclusive" world that progressives what to see isn't my idea of the right way for inclusion to become a reality. However, I think I care about the issue with the same-sex kiss as much as Marvel did, or perhaps less. Is there a less than zero?

After all, there are so many more pressing issues in the world than two men being into each other, or two women, or whether it's a transexual in a superhero costume on one of the popular DC CW shows. Is it that big of a deal amid an economic bubble that is about to explode, a supply chain crisis, burgeoning inflation, a labor shortage, and gas prices being high enough to break some people's wallets?

So, what's up with the bad reviews? Rotten Tomatoes has given Eternals the lowest review in the history of the MCU. Currently, it is sitting at a low, 54%. Similar to a letter grading system, this puts the score low enough for it to be called "Rotten." With the movie still to come out, this is sure to change. Which way will it go? As early screenings come out tomorrow it'll no doubt be different by this time Friday.

I went over to IMDB to check on some of the ratings. While many of the early reported ratings have been taken down due to factors like hate speech, homophobia, and not having seen the movie, some remain. Checking those out, I'm seeing several favorable ratings. Many of the ratings that remained are shocked by the low ratings others are giving. Sure, some admit this has a different feel for a Marvel film but is this a bad thing?

Besides the fact that Marvel is including the first same-sex kiss, one of the heroes, played by Lauren Ridloff, happens to be deaf. The character of Makkari is a deaf hero, allowing for a degree of representation to young children or adults suffering from hearing loss. This may be the first time we've seen a deaf hero but let's not forget that Marvel had the blind vigilante, Daredevil, a long time ago.

One thing is for sure, the 26th movie in the Marvel Cinematics Universe is bound to be a spectacle. Director Chloe Zhao has already won an Oscar for her directorial work. It'll be a historic outing for the franchise and several big names are stepping up into the superhero genre.

While Russia has rated the movie as mature and other countries may go the same route due to the "sensitive subject matter," I can't wait. To those that might be against the movie, nobody is trying to indoctrinate you. You have the choice not to come out to the theater, not to choose this movie to watch, and not to read about its' "presumably" stellar success.