Marvel Studios has once again launched a new franchise within their expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe with the arrival of “Captain Marvel”. The film tells the origin of the title character (Brie Larson), who struggles with gaps in her memory while serving as a Kree Protector under the supervision of Yon-Rogg (Jude Law).
When things do not go as planned during a mission; the good Captain finds herself on Earth forced to wait for her crew to retrieve her. The gaps in her memory combined with the arrival of the shape-shifting Skrulls are bad enough, but now there is also the arrival of S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) for her to contend with.
Being set in the 90s we get a Fury that has yet to be awakened to what is truly out there so he finds the claims of alien beings a bit hard to grasp until fate pairs him with the Captain who must stop the threat posed by the aliens and unlock the mystery of her missing memories.
While the film takes a while to get going; there is enough action scattered throughout to keep your interest and the finale is a rousing FX showcase that really helps establish the character and delivers what fans expect.
Naturally there is a good amount of humor along the way and the dynamic between Larson and Jackson is very good and I hope we get to see them paired on future Marvel adventures.
The supporting cast of Jude Law, Annette Bening, and Ben Mendelsohn is great and it was nice to see many other characters from past Marvel films appear as younger versions of themselves.
The film had to balance establishing the character and setting up further adventures with making sure audiences understood her importance and why her presence in “Avengers: Endgame” is connected and does so very well.
Larson was amazing in the title role as she portrays a strength and confidence without ever being arrogant but there is also a quick wit and at times; a vulnerability that makes her character more well-rounded than people would expect from a comic based film.
It is amazing to me how Marvel Studios can take some of their lesser known characters and turn them into Box Office gold and their winning formula continues with this entertaining new franchise.
4.5 stars out of 5
Second Review by Tracey Barrientos
Disney’s Marvel Studios, Captain Marvel has been the most highly anticipated super hero film since the announcement of its filming a couple years back. Perhaps the reason could be that this is Marvel Cinematic Universe’ first woman super hero to have a standalone film. Before there was Iron Man and before The Avengers were formed the most powerful of heroes was Captain Marvel and Brie Larson has soared to new heights with this character. She has done a spectacular job at bringing the extremely loyal, very independent and often times impulsive super hero to life.
Since the characters debut in 1960 the Captain Marvel character has been revamped an upwards of five times, from male to female and different story lines, plots and time frames. The MCU version is my favorite by far. In this version earth is caught in between an intergalactic war and Captain Marvel is the strongest and most powerful hero that might have a chance at ending the galactic war though not without the help of a few allies.
The film has many strong points to reflect on. The acting and writing is perfectly entertaining and the chemistry on screen is very well portrayed by Larson, Law and Jackson. The setting of the film was very nostalgic for me as it brought me back to my favorite decade of the nineties. It had fantastic music moments making the audience bob their heads to the songs. The film is full of exciting moments with plenty of Cosmic Sci-Fi elements to curb your cravings for super hero action and it even includes an adorable intergalactic cat named Goose. Everything seems better when you add a cat to the cast. Don’t miss out on feeling the joy and empowerment that I felt after screening this film. I definitely recommend this film to not be missed either in 3D IMAX or not. Either way you won’t be disappointed.
4 out of 5 stars!
