2019 | Dir. Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck | 124 Minutes
"I've been fighting with one arm tied behind my back, but what happens when I'm finally set free?"
While pursuing a group of shape-shifting enemy combatants, Vers, an interstellar warrior with the ability to channel limitless energy crash lands on Earth. After befriending awestruck SHIELD Agent Nick Fury, she discovers the truth about her past as US Air Force pilot Carol Danvers and the source of her extraordinary powers. With her newfound knowledge, Danvers changes the course of an intergalactic war.
Though Captain Marvel is essentially a superhero origin story, filmmakers Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck mostly forego standard pacing and narrative structure as the feature opens in the midst of a war between two alien races, providing limited exposition to the audience and presenting the Danvers' backstory in disjointed fragments. The beginning of her adventure on Earth is entertaining but slightly meandering as Danvers chases vague leads with an unclear connection to both her enemies and her past. However, by the midway point of the film, when the real stakes are revealed, the story rewardingly comes into razor-sharp focus, running parallel to Danvers' journey in rediscovering her genuine memories, regaining her sense of identity, and truly realizing her potential that had always been actively suppressed by others.
Captain Marvel primarily takes place on Earth in 1995, and Boden and Fleck use the period setting well enough, dressing the production with fun, only occasionally distracting nostalgic details by way of decade-specific background props - my favorite is naturally a Street Fighter II: Champion Edition arcade cabinet sitting in a bar, sound effects - Nintendo Game Boy and dial-up modem beeps and bloops, and choice needle drops - most notably No Doubt's "Just A Girl" in a key fight scene and Hole's "Celebrity Skin" to close out of the film. Though the sight of Carol Danvers radiating with cosmic energy is magnificently glorious, the most impressive visual effect is the miraculous digital de-aging of iconic veteran actor Samuel L. Jackson, somehow so natural that it never becomes jarring.
Perfectly cast in the lead role, Brie Larson exudes playful humor and unflappable confidence as Carol Danvers, imbuing the title character with unique charm and charisma. Samuel L. Jackson reprises the role of Nick Fury with an entirely fresh approach, presenting a previously unseen, less jaded side of the SHIELD agent that can still be surprised and impressed by the mysteries of the universe. The dynamic between Laron's cool and composed Danvers and Jackson's constantly astounded Fury lifts the film, leaning into buddy cop action comedy tropes in the best way possible. The heart of the story is the unbreakable friendship betweeb Danvers and fellow Air Force pilot Maria Rambeau played by Lashana Lynch, and the love they share with Rambeau's doting daughter Monica portrayed adorably by eleven-year-old actress Akira Akbar. Lynch and Akbar do an excellent job of providing emotional weight and authenticity to Danvers' journey. Lynch is particularly convincing in conveying the initial confusion and heartbreak upon Danvers' unexpected return to Earth after being told by the military for over half a decade that her friend had perished in a failed test flight.
Film villain extraordinaire Ben Mendelsohn is surprisingly hilarious as the Skrull commander Talos, delightfully fleshing out the role especially during the back half of the story as the character takes a unexpected turn. Conversely, Jude Law plays no-nonsense Kree Starforce leader Yon-Rogg with a stoicism that is appropriately frustrating. In a dual role, Annette Bening shows of her versatility playing both the Kree Empire's computerized leader (as it appears to Danvers) and Danvers' inspirational mentor Dr. Wendy Lawson (who hides a secret of her own). Absolutely stealing the show is Goose, an unsuspecting feline with an alarming secret played by four different cats: Reggie, Archie, Rizzo and Gonzo. The film also features Gemma Chan, Algenis Pérez Soto, and Rune Temte as members of Starforce. After an extended absence, Clark Gregg makes a welcome return as Phil Coulson, also impressively digitally de-aged like his senior SHIELD colleague. Seemingly returning for posterity, and somehow making even less of an impact than in their Guardians of the Galaxy debut, Djimon Hounsou and Lee Pace reprise the roles of Korath (a member of Starforce in the past) and Ronan the Accuser (still a sociopathic extremist but just sightly less).
Marvel Studios properly introduces their most powerful hero in an entertaining blend of space opera and 1990s buddy cop comedy. At its center, Captain Marvel is an inspirational story of realized potential finally unburdened by limitations unjustly set by others. Though it works within the trappings of a superhero origin story, there is an abundance of humor and several exciting twists that keep it thoroughly engaging. For existing fans, it is a worthy addition to the Marvel Studios canon that provides new context for previous installments and sets its sights toward a brilliant future.
MID-CREDITS STINGER
Dir. Anthony and Joe Russo
After debating over what to do about Nick Fury's pager that has suddenly become inactive, the Avengers meet Carol Danvers.
POST-CREDITS STINGER
Goose regurgitates the Tesseract on Nick Fury's desk.
STAN LEE CAMEO
While riding the subway, Stan the Man rehearses lines for his cameo appearance in Kevin Smith's Mallrats.
FRAGMENTS
- In memory of Stan Lee, the Marvel Studios logo that opens the film exclusively features images of Stan Lee and clips of his various cameo appearances from the Marvel Studios films
- Goose is named after Nick "Goose" Bradshaw from Top Gun; in the original Marvel Comics, the character is known as Chewie, named after Chewbacca from the Star Wars films
- Marvel Studios security director Barry Curtis makes a cameo appearance as a strip mall security officer
- Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson previously appeared together in Kong: Skull Island
- During Stan Lee's cameo appearance, Pinar Toprak's musical score subtly references the Marvel Studios Fanfare composed by Michael Giacchino
- Acclaimed Captain Marvel comic book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick makes a cameo appearance as a commuter in a Los Angeles subway station
- Alan Silvestri's theme for The Avengers plays as Nick Fury decides to name name his initiative to gather enahanced heroes to protect Earth after Carol Danvers' aviator call sign
SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
- Website: Captain Marvel | Trailer & Official Movie Site (1990s Style)
- Video: Pinar Toprak "Captain Marvel"
007 CONNECTIONS
- Lashana Lynch (Nomi in No Time To Die)
