Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck, Marvel Studios & Walt Disney Motion Pictures, M, 123 Minutes.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has finally acknowledged the importance in having its first female lead in a Marvel movie through the casting of Academy Award winner Brie Larson (‘Room’) as the superheroine ‘Captain Marvel’ in her own origin story.
Although scripted by wife and husband co-directors (and co-scriptwriters) Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (‘Mississippi Grind’), this will be the first time that a female comic book heroine has actually appeared on the big screen.
As the movie opens, Vers aka Danvers (Brie Larson) is a warrior on the planet Kree training combatively with commander Yon-Rogg (Jude Law –‘Spy’) unaware of her true identity, that of fighter pilot Carol Danvers whose plane crashed landed on Earth.
After meeting with Kree’s Supreme Intelligence (Annnette Bening –‘Danny Collins’) Vers is sent to Earth in the mid-90’s on a mission to prevent an intergalactic war with the Skrulls, a shape-shifting alien race led by Talos (Aussie Ben Mendelsohn –‘Darkest Hour’).
Resplendent in a colourful costume and equipped with powers acquired on the planet Kree she soon encounters the Skrulls as well as the future head of the Avengers, Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson) including an unusual ginger cat.
Accompanied by Fury, she is later reunited with fellow pilot Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch –‘Brotherhood’) who fills in the missing memory gaps for Danvers, especially her past prior to the plane crash and before being taken to the planet Kree.
Once Danvers discovers the truth about the shape-shifters and the Kree’s real intention in using her to destroy the Skrulls, she wastes no time in demonstrating her infinite powers against the Kree, simultaneously taking on the title of Captain Marvel.
This latest superhero movie is an entertaining addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, encompassing many enjoyable scenes including some daring action sequences despite a complicated storyline concerning the superheroine’s backstory.
Besides superb special effects it is Larson’s impressive performance as Vers/Danvers and ultimately Captain Marvel that is thoroughly appealing, not to mention the made-up and unrecognisable Mendelsohn with his unmistakable Aussie accent.
‘Captain Marvel’ may not be as well-structured as ‘Black Panther’ but one cannot deny the excitement generated in seeing Larson perform her marvelous superheroine role with most fans looking forward to her appearance next month in the Avengers finale ‘End Game’
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
