This is a pretty spoiler-free review, but just in case, TREAD WITH CAUTION!!!
Releasing on International Women’s Day, the Brie Larson lead Captain Marvel movie is finally here and I can confirm it is another hit from the MCU.
Captain Marvel is the 21st movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is the penultimate movie of the Infinity Stones saga that began with Iron Man in 2008 and will finish with Avengers: Endgame next month.
One setting in the film is 1995 on Hala, the home world of the alien race The Kree. It’s here the audience meet Veers, a member of the Kree’s elite military unit Star Force.
Dreams plague her, unsure of a past she can’t quite remember.
Her mission sends her to Earth where she comes into contact with a much younger looking Nicholas J Fury (Samuel L Jackson) and Phillip J Coulson (Clark Gregg) who work for a mysterious organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D.
It’s there where she learns her true identity. She is Air Force Pilot Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel.
I won’t go into any more detail regarding the plot for fear of spoilers, however, I will go further into the characters.
Brie Larson got a lot of hate from groups of people because she didn’t she smile in the movie. Those people will eat their words.
Brie Larson’s Carol is not what she appears to be. She is funny, she is happy, she is emotional but she is also angry and heartfelt.
There is something about her portrayal that speaks volumes for the franchise and shows even after 11 years there is no signs of slowing down from it.
If Brie Larson becomes the next poster actor for the MCU after Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr leave then I will be happy with that.
Samuel L Jackson returns as Nick Fury in the time where he had two eyes and didn’t have trust issues.
There’s more humor from this version of Fury, which is in the other movies, but with Captain Marvel there’s a certain comfortability from Jackson in the role.
His stand-out moments are his interactions with a certain hilarious cat Carol affectionately calls Goose.
Fury quickly becomes a co-star, choosing to help Carol Danvers in her mission and the chemistry between Jackson and Larson is sizzling.
Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One) plays the Skrull Leader Talos, who is an imposing figure with the ability to turn on the charm when it’s needed.
There isn’t much else I can say about his character without verging into spoilers but Mendelsohn brings extra levity to the character.
For some movies it may seem strange to talk about a non-human character but the biggest laughs come from the adorable Flerken known as Goose.
There are many moments where Goose brings laughter through facial expressions or even acting like a normal cat in crazy situations.
Other honourable mentions go to Clark Gregg finally returning to the big screen as Phil Coulson, Jude Law as the Star Force leader and Lashana Lynch as Maria Rambeau, mother to future Super Hero Monica Rambeau.
If Captain Marvel is close to Captain America: The First Avenger. Much like that movie, Captain Marvel adds extra depth to the universe fans thought they knew already.
The story has a couple of twists and turns but it is the heart of it that truly carries the movie.
While there are a few editing choices that are choppy and distracting, there is enough story to please fans but to also make them crave for more.
The only negative thing about the film is there a few plot holes, indicating big deleted scenes. (Keep an eye out for the Blu-ray release.)
Promotional Pictures show scenes with Ronan the Accuser that do not make it to the final movie unfortunately.
Stay to after the end of the movie for a treat of two credit scenes, one that adds to MCU and another that plays for a laugh.
In addition, there is a sweet dedication to our fallen leader, Stan Lee, showcasing the joy he brought to his characters.
His cameo too will leave fans of a certain independent movie director glee with joy.
All in all Captain Marvel hits the right notes and brings the Marvel Cinematic Universe into a universe that is Higher, Further and Faster.
