It only took 21 installments, but the Marvel Universe finally has their well-developed and female-led superhero film that they desperately needed. Captain Marvel is a decently fresh take on the franchise's Phase 1 origin story with fantastic performances from Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson. Even though this film may seem like more of a Nick Fury origin story at times, the directors do a fantastic job of balancing their stories in preparation for the newest Avengers installment and her large role in it. The incredible female-empowerment feature of the narrative was apparent but there is unfortunately not much else that makes this film stand out amongst the massive slate of Marvel films in terms of their story. However, this franchise has become almost synonymous with pumping out sci-fi masterpieces and this movie is no exception.
Captain Marvel is one of the earliest-set Marvel films, planting its roots smack in the middle of the 1990s. Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) becomes an intergalactic hero after being forced to mediate the war between the Skrulls and the Kree, two different alien races, the latter of which she believes she was born into. Throughout a few different twists and typical plot developments, Danvers learns about her own background and true self while she becomes the hero that the universe needs. The writing is fairly generic: exactly what you would expect from an origin film set in the Marvel universe. It hits all the same beats, features all the same comedic relief characters, and really just reveals itself to be a two-hour long trailer for the next installment in this franchise that our culture obsesses over. There is nothing particularly wrong with the writing of this story, other than it has been seen countless times before. However, at this point in our current history of cinema, I know that I will at least be watching something fun. Seeing a Marvel film is just pure entertainment at this point and rarely does one of their films surprise me with a new take on an old story. This film's only exception is that it features a female lead. This was an apparent risk that the studio took with this character but I do not see a single problem with it. I can not speak on behalf of women, but even I felt the well-deserved empowerment that went into this character. I very much appreciated this film excluding an unnecessary romantic subplot and focusing on Carol as an actual human being (or Kree alien) and her development as a hero. Larson was a huge part of this, as her performance was incredible - or at least with what she was given.
Samuel L. Jackson also stars in this film as a very young Nick Fury, relative newbie to S.H.I.E.L.D. The de-aging CGI that was used for Fury was surprisingly very smooth and did not seem out-of-place at all (I wish they would have gone with a model of Jackson from Pulp Fiction though, smh). The relationship that developed between Fury and Danvers was my favorite part of the whole movie. The way that Larson and Jackson interact and their dialogue made for some of the most wholesome and engaging scenes. This balance was amazing, even though at times it felt like more of a Nick Fury origin story rather than focusing on our titular hero. The other aspects that I loved most about this film were the action scenes and special effects that were utilized. The fight scenes were entrancing to watch and I loved seeing the various environments and locations that the audience explores throughout this movie. The production design was a bit too heavy on the 90s nostalgia, but I loved how well our characters interacted in this new time period. And even though Carol's powers were never fully explored, I had a lot of fun with Larson kicking all kinds of ass. The final fight with No Doubt's "Just a Girl" playing over it will prove in time to be a legendary scene without a doubt. While the more technical elements such as cinematography or editing were effective but generic, this movie still packs that trademark, sci-fi punch that audiences expect to see on the big screen.
Captain Marvel is an excellent example of an (almost) standalone Marvel film that succeeds on its own without relying too much on the already established cinematic universe. Despite this movie not providing anything too original, at this point in our culture, it is hard not to at least enjoy them. I would still strongly recommend this film though; not only for the special effects spectacle that it provides but for the incredible and empowering representation of women that we, as audiences, definitely deserve.
My Rating: ★★★
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