‘Captain Marvel’ Movie Review: The Game-Changing Narrative

When you’re rightly winning a war not only inside the corners of a cinema screen but also in the murks of human society, it’s safe to be as proudly unapologetic as Captain Marvel.

As the world continues to riot, the first ever female-led Marvel film has already gone and passed a box office milestone, and it’s flying higher and faster to surpassing another. And rightly so because this movie is not simply handing off its shine to impressive pyrotechnics, mind-bending CGI, or A-list stars. Captain Marvel means business. 

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a film so upfront, bold, and clear in what it has to say and what kind of mark it’s leaving in the industry. Thankfully, directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck left no reserves for Captain Marvel. And though it may not be the most explosive and adrenaline-filled superhero flick out there, it’s a solid game-changing narrative.

The Core Message

After the emotional Stan Lee Marvel opening tribute, we start smack dab in the middle. Brie Larson’s Vers/ Carol Danvers is already half-Kree, superpowered, and is training under Jude Law’s Kree commander Yon-Rogg. After a botched mission, Vers is captured, and her Skrull captors dig into her memory allowing her to glimpse her past on Earth as test pilot Carol Danvers. After escaping, she ends up on Earth and embarks on a mission to discover her past and her true identity while fighting off the enemy.

Chuck Zlotnick/ Marvel Studios

Just like Danvers’ no BS nature, we get straight to the core of Captain Marvel a few minutes into it. And it couldn’t be any plainer than Yon-Rogg telling Vers to use more of her head than her heart to control her powers. Further establishing this battle are the memories unlocked in the Skrulls interrogation where Danvers/ Vers was told over and over again while growing up what she could and couldn’t do as a woman.

It’s only after these infuriating scenes that it’s a straight-up girl power fiasco. Everything from the costume, the lines, the action sequences, the relationships up to the very essence of this film is all about empowerment. DC’s Wonder Woman may have thrown the hat in first but, Captain Marvel sets the standards for equality at a completely different scale.  

Carol Danvers

Starting off with the star of the show, Vers is visibly and unapologetically herself – fierce, sometimes hot-tempered, powerful, and confident – even despite the skepticism of those around her. Every time Larson gets a “Hell yeah!” moment at getting to use her powers, she makes me so envious that I also can’t shoot laser beams out of my fists when I’m annoyed. Even without the Captain Marvel uniform, she’s already a force to be reckoned with because she embraces who she is. At plain sight, she’s a strong woman and a character fit to be looked up to by kids and adults alike.

Marvel Studios

And speaking of costume, the directors did a stellar job at tying Danvers suit change to that of her character development throughout her journey of self-discovery. From a Kree loyalist to a woman who’s broken free from the chains that bound her true potential, nothing says freedom more than a stellar outfit change. The choice to make Larson look strong and majestic without making the outfit too tight or suggestive further adds to the message of empowerment this film so unabashedly throws in our faces.

In addition to that, there’s also one detail that broke the tradition that makes this film more empowering – Danver’s zero love interest. Instead, she has something better. She has friendship. Instead of pinning and swooning over a male love interest, Danvers puts her trust in her best friend Maria Rambeau played by Lashana Lynch. Maria, together with the Skrull revelation of who the real enemy is, is what puts a “soul” to this film.

Marvel Studios

Because at the end of the day, Captain Marvel isn’t just another glorified love story, it’s about self- discovery and how she needs to look inwards to unlock her true potential rather than looking for it from everyone around her. And since Danvers may be the Avengers only hope at beating Thanos in Endgame, I think it’s only fitting to say that the fate of the Avengers is now resting at the hands of a woman.

Larson’s casting wasn’t absolute perfection. It was even hard to imagine her to be a pleasant fit for the superhero at first. But, despite her passable attempts at humor and charm, she nailed Danvers bold, fierce, and confident persona. As soon as she landed on Earth like it was an everyday thing, punched an old woman in the face, and simply shot a laser beam at Yon-Rogg to shut him up, Larson owned Captain Marvel. And she has brought the hero to life with the grace of a woman with a heart and a mind.

Mellow Fury

A few other pleasant parts of the story are Samuel Jackson’s Nick Fury and Clark Gregg’s Agent Coulson. Once Fury and Danvers get acquainted, Fury picks up the slack of the trademark MCU humor and carries it throughout the whole film. And though it’s jarring to see Jackson made younger through CGI and not yet the head of SHIELD, it’s absolutely worth it to see both eyes still intact on his head. Plus, who doesn’t want to see a more mellow Fury who’s all up cat smooching almost 80% of the time on the film?

Chuck Zlotnick/ Marvel Studios.

Fury brings out a bit of Danver’s playful side. But, that doesn’t mean their witty banter is completely smooth sailing. They’re not quite on the Clint Barton-Natasha Romanov level yet. But, their relationship charm does get better, and it quickly provides solid ground as to why the first thing Danvers asks when she responds to the Avenger’s call is “Where’s Fury?”

Moving on to the real scene stealer here is none other than Fury’s favorite pet, the cat/ Flerken named Goose. Though he was in no way even a real cat, he would’ve made me stay even if the movie was flat out bad. And though we may never see him again in the future (since it would be kind of hard to fit him into the current storyline of the MCU), Goose got the best screen time a cat could ever have. In fact, the story of how Fury lost his eye was kind of stupid. But, Goose was there so I’ll just say “suck it up Fury” right here.

An Origin Story

A notable thing about Captain Marvel is that it works pretty well as a standalone film. You won’t need to know all about any of the extensive other parts of the MCU to get on track watching this film. But, for those who have been watching the MCU grow since its inception, I’m sure you’ve noticed a lot of Avengers origin clues here. There’s so much of them that Captain Marvel not only seems like an origin story for Carol Danvers but, for the Avengers in general as well.

Marvel Studios

As a whole, Captain Marvel isn’t a film that blows your senses. The writing is sometimes too brash just like the lead character but, it doesn’t disappoint either. The pacing might be too casual for the taste of some that it can border on boring but, it serves a purpose. Visual effects were standard issue. Music scoring was fantastic. And at first look, it might just be a little too plain for a superhero movie. Looking at it from this perspective, the film isn’t revolutionary. But, then again, it’s past that point of the standard.

‘Captain Marvel’ Overall Verdict

Captain Marvel didn’t appeal to me in the beginning. A superhero without an Achilles heel just seemed over the top for me, even if it was the first female lead film in the MCU. But, I was sorely mistaken.

Captain Marvel is not simply another superhero flick. It’s a game-changing film, distinctly and proudly feminist at every moment, that doesn’t hesitate on throwing a punch to send a message and to leave a legacy. It isn’t a roller coaster ride depending on flashy visual techniques and impressive fight sequences. But, it’s a film that uses it’s time wisely to take its audience through a journey that can inspire and leave a mark even if it fades from the limelight.

Directors Boden and Fleck made sure that Captain Marvel was MCU through and through. But, they also made sure to give it an identity of its own. The final battle between Danvers and the Kree offer the prime message this movie has to give: The power is in you. Danvers literally lighting up is a powerful metaphor to what would happen if we stopped waiting to be enough for others and if we stop believing that we are weak because of others. If we stopped looking for approval, we can unlock our true potentials and soar to our greatest heights, as if almost god-like. And that is something worth being unapologetic for.