So here we are once again. Another entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is released starring a new superhero that Marvel hopes to win people’s hearts. Every time they do so, they seem to keep finding new territories to break through. In recent memory, we were introduced to the astral and the occult in Doctor Strange, a cultural genre shift happened in Hollywood with Black Panther, and we witnessed an incredibly massive crossover event in Avengers: Infinity War. After a decade and more than a dozen films, Captain Marvel is the first female-led entry into Marvel Studios’ ever-expanding cinematic empire. How something like this took them this long to do, I don’t know. But I’m very glad it’s finally here.
Captain Marvel opens on the Kree empire planet of Hala, where we are introduced to Vers (played by Academy Award winner Brie Larson), a member of the Kree’s Starforce team. She is repeatedly haunted by dreams/memories of a mysterious but familiar past on a different planet called C-53 or Earth. These memories are usually of men lecturing her what she shouldn’t do. She shouldn’t play baseball. She shouldn’t drive so fast. She shouldn’t be an Air Force pilot. The message is clear: men continuously put her down her whole life. Even her superior and mentor Yon-Rogg (Jude Law), in one of many mediocre action sequences, tells Vers that her emotions are a hindrance and should be kept in check.
The film never really gets going until she lands on Earth and meets a young S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury, played by a digitally de-aged Samuel L. Jackson in his most dedicated performance yet. Larson and Jackson’s chemistry is immediately palpable, playing off each other really well. But what’s even more impressive is the groundbreaking CGI de-aging technology Marvel used on Jackson (and Clark Gregg). We first saw it in Ant-Man, and Marvel has kept it handy ever since. It’s just surreal. After admiring it the first few times, it’s hardly even noticeable and seamlessly blends into the scene. So you’re literally just watching a young Samuel L. Jackson in a 2019 movie. And really, that’s what good CGI should accomplish.
Perhaps the most apt description I can give Captain Marvel is that it’s very much fits as a Phase One movie, a time where Marvel was still burdened by introducing characters – that would eventually become beloved by many – in flat and formulaic origin stories, with the exception of Iron Man. Although that’s one of the problems of origin stories. You have to get your character’s identity and journey right, because usually destination’s much more interesting. This film is a bit different wherein Vers’ main journey is rediscovering her true human identity – Carol Danvers – and it hinders a bit of her character development.
So Brie Larson ends up playing a role without much character to play with. She is already Captain Marvel (though not by name) from the start, but the core behind the hero is missing for most of the movie. But Larson, being the trooper that she is, takes what she’s given by directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck and just runs with it. She’s already proven she’s got the chops in Room (she didn’t win a Best Actress award for nothing) and it shows.
The same can be said with four-time Academy Award winner Annette Bening as the Supreme Intelligence, an A.I. representing the collective embodiment of the Kree. She’s perfectly cast for the role, but her performance is only as impressive as her role allows her to be. On the other hand. Ben Mendelsohn, who plays the film’s main villain Talos (a general of the Skrulls, enemy of the Kree), takes the role of a Marvel supervillain to a different, fascinating place. A number of the MCU’s baddies are bland, but Mendelsohn’s Talos has surprisingly hidden depth. He’s a a standout among the film’s supporting cast.
The biggest strength of Captain Marvel is its cast, especially Brie Larson. The movie has a few high moments spread out, and lays the groundwork for its titular character for future appearances. It ticks all the criteria of a Marvel Studios entry, yet somehow feels soulless and routine. Released before Avengers: Endgame drops almost a month away, it’s apparent that Captain Marvel serves as a gateway for it, and to also give us a backstory about the MCU’s most powerful Avenger.
Rating: ★★½
The Talking Screen 