By Nadia Ranaputri
Directors: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
Cast: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Lashana Lynch, Annette Bening, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Clark Gregg.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is an evergrowing and expansive franchise with 21 films already on their belt. After more than a decade since they introduced Iron Man as the first film in their cinematic universe, the MCU is finally ready to introduce the first heroine to lead her own film, this time with pilot turned superhero Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel. Debuting as Ms. Marvel back in 1977, Carol Danvers has since developed and taken the mantle of Captain Marvel (the mantle of Ms. Marvel has since gone to Kamala Khan) appearing in many of her own comic run as well as appearances and teamups in comic runs of Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy. And who could forget the infamous Civil War II, where she went head-to-head with Tony Stark, which became the talk of the town, but not in a very positive way. However, there have been runs where she does shine, particularly in some of her own comic runs. When Marvel announced that Captain Marvel would be their first female-lead film, there was hope, there was curiosity, and there was some scepticism. So before she enters bigger picture of the MCU in Avengers: Endgame, Carol Danvers gets her own origin film set in the good old 90's.
Captain Marvel begins in the planet Hala, where the Kree empire resides (cue some Guardians of the Galaxy references because there are a couple of them in this film). Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), going by the name Vers in the beginning of the film, is a member of Starforce, a group of highly trained Kree warriors pledged to protect the Kree from intergalactic threats. Despite being plagued by fragmented dreams from a life she could not remember, her mentor and Starforce leader (Jude Law) urges her not to dwell about them, as it might get the better of her emotions. During a mission, Vers is captured by Skrulls, a race of shape-shifting aliens capable of turning into anyone as long as they've seen the person. This eventually leads to Vers confronting the past she couldn't comprehend due to memory loss, as the only thing she remembers is the person she is now: a Kree warrior. In her attempt to free herself from the Skrulls, she crashlands upon planet C-53, also known as Earth. Unfortunately for her, the Skrulls, led by General Talos (Ben Mendelsohn); have also landed on Earth. Vers, with the help of a newfound companion Nick Fury (an ever delightful return of Samuel L. Jackson); band together to stop the Skrulls from infiltrating Earth. In the process, Vers begins the search for her past identity and tries to regain her past memories as she becomes aware that she once had a life on Earth.
Let me get this out of the way first: I enjoyed Captain Marvel. There's a lot you can like from it. Fun moments? Check. Lighthearted aspects? Plenty. Nostalgic 90's tracks? Heck yes. When else can you hear a No Doubt bop in the middle of a battle? Well, it's an eye-rolling moment for some, but at least it's a fun little addition and a refreshing change from the usual battle track that most superhero films have. It has many good moments and it even has some standout visual moments. Some of the best scenes come from flashbacks of Danvers before she became a Kree Warrior, something that I wished the film could have delved in a little more, since it is the most intriguing aspect of the film. Having been set in the 90's, the film takes a slight Guardians of the Galaxy vibe by adding 90's tunes in some of their scenes. The fact that some of the high tech gadgets like Tony Stark's holographic phone or the advanced S.H.I.E.L.D monitors (take the helicarrier even) we're so used to seeing in the present day MCU films are reduced to things like pagers and 90's era computers; makes for a very fun aspect for the film to tinker with. Also, the Skrulls are easily one of the best parts of the film and are the ones that actually provide some of the film's heart. And of course I'm going to mention Goose the Cat because if anyone has ever told you that Goose steals the show, then they are absolutely right. Goose, much like Groot and Baby Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 and 2, provides some of the cutest yet hilarious moments.
Brie Larson as the film's lead superheroine has some great moments here and there, particularly when Danvers shows her sass and humor. No, she's definitely not as wooden as the trailers have suggested. Larson's performance as the pilot turned heroine is fine, enjoyable even. Her chemistry with Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury (still with two eyes) make for some of the best scenes in the film. She has the potential to lead the film, and for the most part, she does; but then there are a couple of scenes where we are supposed to sympathize with her, and that was the point where the film struggles to really define her as a character. She might improve and stand out among other superheroes that have come before her as she appears in future films. When it comes to the more heavily emotional moments, those that show vulnerability or empowering moments; Larson shines in most scenes, yet lacks in some, but that's possibly because the script and the direction itself restrains Larson from fully showcasing a truly engaging performance. Whilst Danvers herself is a blank slate who knows only fragments of her past self, it's up to the supporting characters to show her the ropes. Fortunately, this leads to other great performances, particularly Ben Mendelsohn as Skrull general Talos and Lashana Lynch as Danvers' old friend Maria Rambeau; who even outperform Larson herself at times.
Captain Marvel doesn't just have the responsibility of introducing a brand new character in the MCU, it's also an origin story for the MCU itself. It has a larger picture to paint as it paves way for everything that is yet to come (or has come, since this is a prequel after all) in the MCU. There are some Easter Eggs that are sure to make every MCU fan satisfied, with little foreshadowings and hints that lead to what we've already seen from previous films (which I absolutely loved). The issue here is that when those things aren't there, we're left with an underwhelming character introduction that while it's plenty of fun; is not very marvelous (I can neither deny nor confirm that the pun was intended). Sure, it's an origin story, but the issue mainly lies within its depiction of our lead heroine through a decent story. There is only so much that you can do with a character who is oblivious of her past. Everything we know about her all is like a show and tell, but they'd rather tell than actually show. Danvers might live up to things that others have said, but the script only allows it to be from the words of other people and not from the acts of the character herself. Danvers' journey throughout the film lacks that emotional depth and development, with attempts to do so being watered down with humor. She doesn't have a genuinely defining moment or heroic moment that should have made audiences root for her. By the time everything is put into place, there isn't much of a connection between Danvers and the audience. Perhaps in time with future appearances in the MCU (starting with Avengers: Endgame of course), Larson's Carol Danvers would have a much more fleshed out development to her character.
While there are so many enjoyable moments to be had with the film, it lacks memorability as a whole. The film is hammered by a story that doesn't always know where to focus on. Sometimes the more genuine and intriguing moments feel watered down by unmemorable action sequences (save for an earlier scene where Danvers attempts to escape captivity in a Skrull ship), particularly in the third act; a sudden deus ex-machina effect, and little prior development to some of the film's main arcs. You'd think that by the time Guardians of the Galaxy got introduced in Phase 2 that Marvel has already gotten the hang of the formulaic origin stories and introducing new characters in an engaging way, but Captain Marvel hasn't quite gotten that same sense of engagement. It's not too reliant on connecting to the bigger picture of the interconnecting Marvel universe, but with 20 films already on their belt, and so many of those having incredible stories and their own sense of voice; Captain Marvel struggles to stand out among those films. It's the prequel film to everything that has happened in the MCU, and that isn't a bad thing, if it didn't come so late. At some point, Captain Marvel feels more like an obligatory set-up than an actual origin film with its own voice.
Captain Marvel is not a terrible film, it's just an underwhelming one. Flaws aside, I did honestly have a good time with this film. The first fifteen minutes or so may be a little dull, but it does get a lot better once Carol lands on Earth, hence the 90's era vibes and appearance of a much younger Nick Fury (as well as the return of Clark Gregg as the beloved Agent Phil Coulson, which I admit, after having not seen him in a Marvel film since The Avengers; caused a tiny joyful squeal from me). While it may lack in some aspects, especially in terms of plot development; it is definitely very fun and at times, empowering. Compared to recent MCU films, Captain Marvel (along with Doctor Strange) most likely fits into the Phase One film formula, basically similar to the likes of Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor, where Marvel had just tested the waters on introducing their slate of superheroes who would grace the MCU as we know it. The film does try to present certain themes while still managing to be an enjoyable superhero film. Despite some issues with the character of Captain Marvel herself, I am still intrigued to see what the MCU will do with her in the future. At the end of the day, Captain Marvel is a superhero film that brims with a lot of potential, but it hasn't quite soared yet.
Overall verdict: Captain Marvel is an enjoyable ride filled with 90's era aspects that give the film a little bit of flair. There are a lot of fun moments to be had in the film, with some even putting a smile on my face, despite some being cheesy. But then again, it's the 90's. Goose the Cat is also a very fun character that happens to be one of the film's silver linings. Brie Larson carries a lot of potential as the film's lead heroine and actually has moments where she does shine, but there are times where her performance felt stiff. Fortunately, this film has plenty of fine performances from supporting characters, particularly Mendelsohn and Lynch as Talos and Rambeau respectively. The story itself isn't terrible, by any means, but it lacks a sense of engagement from the characters who are driving the story, particularly Danvers herself. Captain Marvel is one of those MCU films that are pretty solid, maybe just okay, but that's about it. The film feels a lot like Marvel's Phase One films where Marvel is testing the waters by introducing a certain character. It is still an enjoyable film where you can definitely still have a lot of fun, but it just doesn't feel like a standout among the other films that paved the way before it. Captain Marvel as a character may improve with future appearances that add more development and charisma, something that the origin film lacked. Despite its flaws, there are a lot of things to be liked from Captain Marvel, and there are things that I felt should have been handled better. Nonetheless, Captain Marvel is a solid addition to the MCU with plenty of good moments for a fun romp.
Stars: 3/5
 |
| Image source: IMDB |
Directors: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
Cast: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Lashana Lynch, Annette Bening, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Clark Gregg.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is an evergrowing and expansive franchise with 21 films already on their belt. After more than a decade since they introduced Iron Man as the first film in their cinematic universe, the MCU is finally ready to introduce the first heroine to lead her own film, this time with pilot turned superhero Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel. Debuting as Ms. Marvel back in 1977, Carol Danvers has since developed and taken the mantle of Captain Marvel (the mantle of Ms. Marvel has since gone to Kamala Khan) appearing in many of her own comic run as well as appearances and teamups in comic runs of Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy. And who could forget the infamous Civil War II, where she went head-to-head with Tony Stark, which became the talk of the town, but not in a very positive way. However, there have been runs where she does shine, particularly in some of her own comic runs. When Marvel announced that Captain Marvel would be their first female-lead film, there was hope, there was curiosity, and there was some scepticism. So before she enters bigger picture of the MCU in Avengers: Endgame, Carol Danvers gets her own origin film set in the good old 90's.
Captain Marvel begins in the planet Hala, where the Kree empire resides (cue some Guardians of the Galaxy references because there are a couple of them in this film). Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), going by the name Vers in the beginning of the film, is a member of Starforce, a group of highly trained Kree warriors pledged to protect the Kree from intergalactic threats. Despite being plagued by fragmented dreams from a life she could not remember, her mentor and Starforce leader (Jude Law) urges her not to dwell about them, as it might get the better of her emotions. During a mission, Vers is captured by Skrulls, a race of shape-shifting aliens capable of turning into anyone as long as they've seen the person. This eventually leads to Vers confronting the past she couldn't comprehend due to memory loss, as the only thing she remembers is the person she is now: a Kree warrior. In her attempt to free herself from the Skrulls, she crashlands upon planet C-53, also known as Earth. Unfortunately for her, the Skrulls, led by General Talos (Ben Mendelsohn); have also landed on Earth. Vers, with the help of a newfound companion Nick Fury (an ever delightful return of Samuel L. Jackson); band together to stop the Skrulls from infiltrating Earth. In the process, Vers begins the search for her past identity and tries to regain her past memories as she becomes aware that she once had a life on Earth.
Let me get this out of the way first: I enjoyed Captain Marvel. There's a lot you can like from it. Fun moments? Check. Lighthearted aspects? Plenty. Nostalgic 90's tracks? Heck yes. When else can you hear a No Doubt bop in the middle of a battle? Well, it's an eye-rolling moment for some, but at least it's a fun little addition and a refreshing change from the usual battle track that most superhero films have. It has many good moments and it even has some standout visual moments. Some of the best scenes come from flashbacks of Danvers before she became a Kree Warrior, something that I wished the film could have delved in a little more, since it is the most intriguing aspect of the film. Having been set in the 90's, the film takes a slight Guardians of the Galaxy vibe by adding 90's tunes in some of their scenes. The fact that some of the high tech gadgets like Tony Stark's holographic phone or the advanced S.H.I.E.L.D monitors (take the helicarrier even) we're so used to seeing in the present day MCU films are reduced to things like pagers and 90's era computers; makes for a very fun aspect for the film to tinker with. Also, the Skrulls are easily one of the best parts of the film and are the ones that actually provide some of the film's heart. And of course I'm going to mention Goose the Cat because if anyone has ever told you that Goose steals the show, then they are absolutely right. Goose, much like Groot and Baby Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 and 2, provides some of the cutest yet hilarious moments.
 |
| Image source: IMDB |
Brie Larson as the film's lead superheroine has some great moments here and there, particularly when Danvers shows her sass and humor. No, she's definitely not as wooden as the trailers have suggested. Larson's performance as the pilot turned heroine is fine, enjoyable even. Her chemistry with Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury (still with two eyes) make for some of the best scenes in the film. She has the potential to lead the film, and for the most part, she does; but then there are a couple of scenes where we are supposed to sympathize with her, and that was the point where the film struggles to really define her as a character. She might improve and stand out among other superheroes that have come before her as she appears in future films. When it comes to the more heavily emotional moments, those that show vulnerability or empowering moments; Larson shines in most scenes, yet lacks in some, but that's possibly because the script and the direction itself restrains Larson from fully showcasing a truly engaging performance. Whilst Danvers herself is a blank slate who knows only fragments of her past self, it's up to the supporting characters to show her the ropes. Fortunately, this leads to other great performances, particularly Ben Mendelsohn as Skrull general Talos and Lashana Lynch as Danvers' old friend Maria Rambeau; who even outperform Larson herself at times.
Captain Marvel doesn't just have the responsibility of introducing a brand new character in the MCU, it's also an origin story for the MCU itself. It has a larger picture to paint as it paves way for everything that is yet to come (or has come, since this is a prequel after all) in the MCU. There are some Easter Eggs that are sure to make every MCU fan satisfied, with little foreshadowings and hints that lead to what we've already seen from previous films (which I absolutely loved). The issue here is that when those things aren't there, we're left with an underwhelming character introduction that while it's plenty of fun; is not very marvelous (I can neither deny nor confirm that the pun was intended). Sure, it's an origin story, but the issue mainly lies within its depiction of our lead heroine through a decent story. There is only so much that you can do with a character who is oblivious of her past. Everything we know about her all is like a show and tell, but they'd rather tell than actually show. Danvers might live up to things that others have said, but the script only allows it to be from the words of other people and not from the acts of the character herself. Danvers' journey throughout the film lacks that emotional depth and development, with attempts to do so being watered down with humor. She doesn't have a genuinely defining moment or heroic moment that should have made audiences root for her. By the time everything is put into place, there isn't much of a connection between Danvers and the audience. Perhaps in time with future appearances in the MCU (starting with Avengers: Endgame of course), Larson's Carol Danvers would have a much more fleshed out development to her character.
 |
| Image source: IMDB |
While there are so many enjoyable moments to be had with the film, it lacks memorability as a whole. The film is hammered by a story that doesn't always know where to focus on. Sometimes the more genuine and intriguing moments feel watered down by unmemorable action sequences (save for an earlier scene where Danvers attempts to escape captivity in a Skrull ship), particularly in the third act; a sudden deus ex-machina effect, and little prior development to some of the film's main arcs. You'd think that by the time Guardians of the Galaxy got introduced in Phase 2 that Marvel has already gotten the hang of the formulaic origin stories and introducing new characters in an engaging way, but Captain Marvel hasn't quite gotten that same sense of engagement. It's not too reliant on connecting to the bigger picture of the interconnecting Marvel universe, but with 20 films already on their belt, and so many of those having incredible stories and their own sense of voice; Captain Marvel struggles to stand out among those films. It's the prequel film to everything that has happened in the MCU, and that isn't a bad thing, if it didn't come so late. At some point, Captain Marvel feels more like an obligatory set-up than an actual origin film with its own voice.
Captain Marvel is not a terrible film, it's just an underwhelming one. Flaws aside, I did honestly have a good time with this film. The first fifteen minutes or so may be a little dull, but it does get a lot better once Carol lands on Earth, hence the 90's era vibes and appearance of a much younger Nick Fury (as well as the return of Clark Gregg as the beloved Agent Phil Coulson, which I admit, after having not seen him in a Marvel film since The Avengers; caused a tiny joyful squeal from me). While it may lack in some aspects, especially in terms of plot development; it is definitely very fun and at times, empowering. Compared to recent MCU films, Captain Marvel (along with Doctor Strange) most likely fits into the Phase One film formula, basically similar to the likes of Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor, where Marvel had just tested the waters on introducing their slate of superheroes who would grace the MCU as we know it. The film does try to present certain themes while still managing to be an enjoyable superhero film. Despite some issues with the character of Captain Marvel herself, I am still intrigued to see what the MCU will do with her in the future. At the end of the day, Captain Marvel is a superhero film that brims with a lot of potential, but it hasn't quite soared yet.
 |
| Image source: IMDB |
Overall verdict: Captain Marvel is an enjoyable ride filled with 90's era aspects that give the film a little bit of flair. There are a lot of fun moments to be had in the film, with some even putting a smile on my face, despite some being cheesy. But then again, it's the 90's. Goose the Cat is also a very fun character that happens to be one of the film's silver linings. Brie Larson carries a lot of potential as the film's lead heroine and actually has moments where she does shine, but there are times where her performance felt stiff. Fortunately, this film has plenty of fine performances from supporting characters, particularly Mendelsohn and Lynch as Talos and Rambeau respectively. The story itself isn't terrible, by any means, but it lacks a sense of engagement from the characters who are driving the story, particularly Danvers herself. Captain Marvel is one of those MCU films that are pretty solid, maybe just okay, but that's about it. The film feels a lot like Marvel's Phase One films where Marvel is testing the waters by introducing a certain character. It is still an enjoyable film where you can definitely still have a lot of fun, but it just doesn't feel like a standout among the other films that paved the way before it. Captain Marvel as a character may improve with future appearances that add more development and charisma, something that the origin film lacked. Despite its flaws, there are a lot of things to be liked from Captain Marvel, and there are things that I felt should have been handled better. Nonetheless, Captain Marvel is a solid addition to the MCU with plenty of good moments for a fun romp.
Stars: 3/5
