It’s only taken ten years, but we finally – finally – have our first Marvel female standalone movie. And, oh, how I loved it! While I was expecting to enjoy it (this is where I admit I might have a slight Marvel bias), I wasn’t prepared for just how much love I would feel for this movie after seeing it. Judging by the global $455 million opening weekend, I wasn’t the only one.
I don’t want to ruin the movie for anyone so non-spoilery review ahead. Unless you haven’t seen any trailers . . .
Vers, a member of the noble warrior hero Kree, is training to become part of the elite Starforce. Under the guidance of Yon-Rogg (Jude Law), she is urged to control her emotions and focus on winning the war against their Skrull enemies. She’s reminded constantly that the Skrulls are the reason she was brought to the Kree with no memory, nearly dead. She was remade into something better and her duty is to help win the Kree vs. Skrull war. However, dreams of her unknown past plague her, and events that lead her to the vaguely familiar Earth leave her with more questions. But there are some old and new friends to help her piece the mystery together.
I will say the movie started off with a touching tribute to Stan Lee. It left our theater cheering and myself in tears. I don’t think that’s a spoiler, but if it is, feel free to yell at me. Still, maybe have a tissue ready for that.
Captain Marvel does something strange and wonderful in that it feels like it could easily be a Phase 1 movie, yet still fits perfectly in Phase 3. It takes place in the ’90s, but even that is done so well that it doesn’t detract from the story. The little touches are just enough to make you giggle or, for some of us, smile with nostalgia.
Also, hello fantastic ’90s soundtrack!
It was wonderful to see Coulson on the screen again. In fact, I wish we’d gotten a little more of him. But we do get lots of pre-director Fury, which is fantastic. The CGI to make Samuel L. Jackson look younger was incredible. Not once during the movie did I remember that he was digitally altered. Shoutout to the VFX artists for that one.
Ben Mendelsohn, who plays the Skrull general Talos, was a surprising scene stealer. I expected him to sort of fade into a boring villain role, but he brings so much to his role. As does Lashana Lynch as Carol’s friend Maria.
That relationship was one of the highlights of the movie for me. It was strong and real and so full of supportive love. I felt like I was watching one of my own friendships portrayed, just with added superpowers and aliens. Sometimes, movie friendships seem forced or shallow or just unbelievable. We’ve all seen it. That is so far from being the case for Carol and Maria. In the limited time they get on screen, their chemistry is so natural and their interactions so fitting for the situations they find themselves in. I wanted to be a part of that friendship.
But obviously, the star here is Carol. In all senses of the word. I was initially unsure of Brie Larson when I heard she’d been cast, but she blew me away. Both she and her character were refreshing. Sure, we had the stoic Kree mask, but when her humanity cracked through, she felt even more dynamic. She was funny, a little awkward, imperfect, and kind of messy. And unapologetic about it. I had a conversation with a friend about how we loved something so simple as her hair being disheveled during her fight scenes. She was real.
This movie is fun while also being incredibly touching. The fight scenes are great, the visuals stunning, and the story is one that makes you stop and think. It’s a different tone from its recent predecessors, which might throw some people off, but don’t let it. It’s a human story that I think every one of us can relate to in some way. Captain Marvel is the hero I wish I had on my TV as a little girl. And she’s one I’m thrilled to have as an adult.
Higher, further, faster, baby!
P.S. Don’t forget to stay for the mid and end credit scenes!
P.P.S. Goose. That is all.
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