Though Captain Marvel is a spectacular-looking science fiction adventure, it’s deliberately scaled down from the dizzying events of Infinity War (as most movies would logically be, given the sheer scale of Marvel franchises represented), its sequel in which this movie’s title character is set to play a major role in.
But a smaller scale isn’t necessarily a bad thing, obviously not in this case. It’s the quieter, character-based moments that many moviegoers may find themselves discussing as they leave the theater along with the amazing special effects and intergalactic combat.
The story takes place in 1995, with a soundtrack, visual style and multiple references that highlight as such. In terms of serving as an enjoyable and strong origin movie for an important Marvel Cinematic Universe character heading forward, I’d like to compare it to Captain America: The First Avenger, which like Captain Marvel was also a period piece. Yet this movie knows not to simply copy First Avenger’s formula, preferring to focus on the qualities of Carol Danvers that make her distinct.
Answering to the name “Vers”, Brie Larson plays a warrior and soldier amongst an alien species knows as the Kree. Having lived with them for a number of years, she’s intent to show her superiors she has what it takes, particularly her commanding officer Yon-Rogg (Jude Law).
But following a battle with the shapeshifting alien Skrulls and a daring escape from their ship, she crash-lands into a Blockbuster on planet Earth (not the last remaining one, obviously) and finds herself entangled in a mystery relating to her past.
Samuel L. Jackson is his usual charismatic and assertive self as a young Nick Fury, visually aged down thanks to some detailed CGI work. With the help of Fury, the Air Force pilot Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch, as the mom to Marvel comic mainstay Monica Rambeau- performed with sweetness by Akira Akbar) and a cat named Goose, they set out to decode information relating to the classified “Pegasus” air base, and their connection to the visions in Vers’ head. But first they’ll have to get past the Skrull commander Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), who holds important secrets of his own.
The unveiling of Vers’ origins feels very unique, if a bit too condensed/rushed at points. But it’s more than enough to get the audience behind its protagonist, performed well by Larson with considerable range. Her Captain Marvel never comes off too flawless or totally inept, the screenplay is nicely structured in giving her a hero’s journey that’s easy for people to buy into.
One major part of her arc involves various people claiming she should keep her emotions checked in order to be successful, and the story does a nice job debunking their theory. Amazing superpowers aside, it’s her empathy and emotional curiosity that let her step forward as a hero to confront the real antagonist. Once they unveil themselves it’s not much of a shock, but it fits within the logic of the established plot points.
Co-writers and co-directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden are able to find an entertainingly even tone between the usual jaw-dropping MCU action moviegoers have come to expect, mixed with some effective character development (Mendelsohn and Lynch especially shine in this department, and Larson and Jackson get some witty exchanges together) alongside tongue-in-cheek humor that takes advantage of the story’s setting.
One moment Captain Marvel is punching and blasting through Skrulls like a boss (Ben Davis’s cinematography shines here), the next she experiences the frustrations of the mid-1990’s slow dial-up internet time while looking for clues. Keep your eyes peeled for a Stan Lee cameo that has a nice reference to one of the decade’s iconic cult films.
Perhaps Captain Marvel isn’t a blow-away, game-changing superhero film, but I’m not sure if that was its goal. Rather I think the objective was to introduce Danvers into this film universe in a way that gets the audience behind her as much as possible. Thanks in part to the likability, intensity and heart in Larson’s performance, I feel it’s more than successful. Everything about her mythos lines up well with the rest of the series, and she’s got more than enough of what makes a true hero to be a great main character going forward.
I can easily recommend it to longtime CM and Marvel fans, young girls looking for more superpowered heroic women to be inspired by, and as a fun appetizer before Avengers: Endgame. If you’d had the opportunity to see it, drop us a line at @Official_FAN on Twitter and share your thoughts!