Higher, Further, Faster: A Captain Marvel Review

In 2012, writer Kelly Sue DeConnick revitalized Captain Marvel introducing Air Force pilot Carol Danvers. This fresh, exciting and non-compliant character found immediate success and gained hordes of new fans. Readers found in Carol a strong woman, one that was a hero even before getting superpowers.

Now, this inspiring character has arrived on the big screen. Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck deliver a superhero movie with tints of space opera that captivates viewers and particularly inspires female audiences.

One of the traits that make Captain Marvel so compelling is her ability to stand up when all odds are against her. This is just for boys. You don’t belong here. You are not strong enough. You are too emotional; these are the remarks she has heard her whole life. These comments toward women are sadly not fictional. Many of us have listened to them throughout our lives. So, when this fearless pilot and hero strikes the big screen and kicks her way into the MCU, yes, we are ecstatic!

The film starts with Carol (Brie Larson) on the Kree planet Hala. She is a dedicated warrior who has no memories of her previous life (the Kree rescued her after a mysterious accident). She outstands among the Kree for her emotional, even reckless approach to battle and is eager to unleash her potential.

With -too- many flashbacks, we accompany Carol as she unravels the mysteries of her past. When a mission against the Skrull goes wrong, Captain Marvel ends up stranded on planet C-53: Earth! And it gets better: This is Earth in the year 1995! Yes, Blockbuster stores, Nirvana, and web searches on Alta Vista.

The mess of her landing and her flashy alien uniform make her easy to find for S.H.I.E.L.D agent Nick Fury and the promising rookie agent Coulson. Oblivious to the war between Krees and Skrulls, these inexperienced agents will open their eyes to new galaxies, foreign species, and the world of wonder that is the MCU. As you know, this adventure is only the first of many for them. As we saw in the post-credits of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Nick Fury, with his last breath after Thanos’ snap, send an S.O.S to Captain Marvel. Now we can only hope she gets the message.

Seeing the unrestrained power of Captain Marvel and her captivating origin story, we can’t help but regret she hasn’t been introduced earlier. We would have loved seeing her in Avengers (2012) or Captain America: Civil War (2016), but let’s appreciate the fact that she is here for good and has a huge part to play in the upcoming Avengers: Endgame. Captain Marvel brings good omen for the future of the MCU.

In the comics, Captain Marvel finds herself with the help of friends and role models. She breaks boundaries, defies rules and kicks butts. Similarly, this movie is about discovering Carol’s identity, the true reach of her superpowers and her purpose as a hero. Captain Marvel flies higher, further, faster to become the hero she was always meant to be.

Captain Marvel hits theatres March, 8 (USA). Starring Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Clark Gregg, Lashana Lynch, Djimon Hounsou, and Annette Bening. See full cast and crew.