Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
Produced by Kevin Feige
Screenplay by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, and Geneva Robertson-Dworet
Story by Nicole Perlman, Meg LeFauve, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck,
Geneva Robertson-Dworet
Starring Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon
Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Annette Benning, Clark Gregg,
Jude Law
It may have taken a few
years (eleven to be exact!), but the MCU has finally put out its first female
superhero-led film. And while it does have its shortcomings and issues (more on
this later), Brie Larson’s performance as the titular character, along with
some real-world parallels, help elevate this narrative into one of Marvel’s
better origin stories.
From the get-go, the
film tries to break the mold of conventional superhero origin storytelling. It
eschews with the aimless, powerless protagonist at the beginning, goes on a
(seemingly) nonlinear trajectory, and experiments with disjointed, unreliable
perspectives—with trippy effects and bright colors to boot. Captain Marvel’s plot also takes some
cues from the real world, touching on—though refraining from exploring—themes regarding
refugees, the military, and the treatment of women in the air force. By the
time the major plot twists come around just before the third act, though, which—in
this day and age when audiences are saturated with blockbuster plot twists to
usually tepid results—the shock doesn’t feel as effective as the filmmakers
meant it to be. The climax also deviates into generic superhero territory with
fight (and flight) scenes left and right, notably messier than your standard
MCU fare.
With the exception of
Larsen’s Danvers, Samuel L. Jackson’s Fury, and Lasahana Lynch’s Maria Rambeau, and of course, Goose the cat, the rest of the characters don’t exactly stand out. Especially disappointing
was Jude Law’s Yon-Rogg, who is sidelined for about a third of the movie,
barely given any compelling motivation, and ultimately falls into the bin of
forgettable Marvel villains, where he can join Lee Pace’s returning hammer-wielder,
Ronan.
The film’s other saving
grace, though, is the ending, which ties in with the rest of the events of the
MCU, and gives one much hope for April’s Avengers:
Endgame. Looking forward to seeing Captain Marvel and the OG Avengers face
off with Thanos on that one!
Score: 8/10
About the Reviewer
Charles SanCheese is an avid reader, student of literature, and pop-culture vulture. He works as a copy editor in Mandaue City and has lived in Cebu his whole life.
He has authored several essays, short stories, and lengthier works of fiction, all of which can be found in the grand annals of his personal hard drive. Follow him on Twitter at @charlesancheese.
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