A few days late but
well worth the wait.
Captain Marvel has
been teased for the better part of a year now, and Marvel fans have been
wondering how the Cinematic Universe version of the comic book heroine would be
presented.
She’s presented in a refreshingly
different way.
I’ll do my best here not to reveal spoilers for those who
have not had the chance to see the movie yet, but I do want to touch on some
key points that made this new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe stand
out, for me.
With Great Power
Comes Great Responsibility!
We know the line. It’s something that all comic book heroes
struggle with. Many are given their powers suddenly and have to learn how to
use them properly (e.g. Spiderman, Captain America, Scarlet Witch, etc...)
With Captain Marvel we are spared a lot of that learning
montage. We’re introduced to a kick-ass hero in her own right. Yes, she has her
own issues to struggle with, but she is introduced to us in a ready to fight
stage of her character growth. This I think is a very important thing for a
standalone heroine film. It allows us to accept her for what she is and enjoy the
ride.
That is not to say that this movie, being an origin story,
does not show us how she got to be the all-powerful superheroine she is. It
does, but where it begins engages the audience with a woman who has power,
ambition, and is comfortable in her own skin.
Whodunit?
Another element of this particular addition to the Cinematic
Universe I really enjoyed is the way misdirection was employed. We’re presented
with many different angles and viewpoints that keep the audience guessing on
who the big bad of the story really is. Unlike other Marvel Cinematic Universe
offerings, there is no Thanos, Red Skull, Vulture, Dormamu, etc…
This lack of a clear concrete villain adds an extra layer of
interest to Captain Marvel’s story, and keeps the audience engaged through the
film.
Reverse Buddy Cop
Probably my favorite aspect of this installment of the
Marvel Cinematic Universe films was the buddy cop partnering of Captain Marvel
and Nick Fury. Though even that came with a twist. It’s been teased in the trailers
so this is not a spoiler. Captain Marvel is portrayed as a very straight woman
type of character. Extremely capable if not a bit in over her head. A role
usually employed by the older partner in the buddy cop formula. It’s Nick Fury,
the middle-aged Military retiree turn Shield agent who brings the wide-eyed,
“what the hell did I get myself into,” comedy to the situation. Their chemistry
really worked for me in this movie.
The movie has a lot working for it. It was thoroughly
enjoyable to watch. And definitely deserving of a 4/5 stars from me.
Why I didn’t give it
a full five stars?
Well, as with many comic book movies that do an excellent
job to build up act one and two, by the time we get to act three it feels like
a rush to the finish with some less than believable moments. The final battle
sees Captain Marvel come into her own 100% and she is stunning, but a bit too
overpowered. I lost the ability to suspend belief in a few scenes, and that really
pulled me out of the story. Her reason for leaving earth, I know a reason needed
to be given so that we can understand why Captain Marvel does not return to the
Avengers until Endgame, also felt a little shallow and thrown in at the
last minute.
The mid-credit scene is a wonderful teaser for Endgame, so
if you have not seen it yet, definitely sit through those credits. You’ll be
super excited.
Some honorable
mentions.
Goose! They really went too far with the cat, but it’s a cat
and we love cats so it’s forgivable. Nick Fury and the cat were ridiculously
adorable. I mean seriously. I giggled every time those two were together.
Talos (Ben Mendelsohn). He
nailed that role 100% I want to watch a movie all about Talos now. I just
adored his character. His quips. His facial expressions. He had such great
presence in this movie! Bravo!