Captain Marvel – Film Review

With this being Marvel Studios’ first solo Female-fronted film there was a lot of expectation riding this film in how it not only represents female superheroes but the female experience and could it continue the success of DC’s ‘Wonder Woman.’ Brie Larson was chosen to play this character after several fan-castings and wishes for other actresses. I felt she did fine in the role but wasn’t able to really take advantage or find herself in the role.

This film does feel like it suffers from “Phase One Syndrome.” The film feels like one of the earlier Marvel movies where it doesn’t feel as consequential as it should but is still a good time. I wish that the film had a hero moment in comparison to Wonder Woman’s No Man’s Land scene. Lashana Lynch is great as Maria Rambeau. She really shined on-screen with Brie in their scenes together. The CGI cat as Goose was a pleasant treat throughout the movie. Sam Jackson has a much meatier role in comparison to his role in “Captain America: Winter Soldier”, which was much appreciated. Nick Fury felt a lot more fleshed out as a character by the end of the film.

You know anything about a lady blowing up a Blockbuster? Witnesses say she was dressed for laser tag.

The Kree and Skrull war is finally shown in the MCU, and I really enjoyed the Skrulls. I am looking forward to more of them in future movies. Ben Mendelsohn was fantastic as Talos was a particular highlight. I thought Jude Law was fine as the villain Yon-Rogg, I would like him to return in a more useful role. Annette Benning was great in her dual role. I do appreciate what they were trying to do with this role and I wish some of the deleted scenes with her as the Supreme Intelligence were added in the film. There needed to be more of her in the film to have a better attachment as a character.

I do feel that this film falls into the “Age of Ultron” territory in connecting the dots than telling a story, but as the first female-centric film in Marvel’s current iteration of films — its a solid start. I am looking forward to the sequel and I’m glad that the next film will have a time jump than it to be in the past like many female superhero films have been placed.

7.5/10