Captain Marvel
When I first heard Brie Larson was cast as Captain Marvel back in 2016 I was a bit skeptical on whether the movie would add to the cinematic experience that Marvel is. Time went on and I frequently saw her posts on Instagram on her getting in shape for Captain Marvel. I wasn’t really into the idea and didn’t think I would even go see the film once it finally came out. The idea of a female lead superhero movie was so foreign to me as most of my life as a female I have been surrounded by male led films and male superheroes. I am a Marvel fanatic and a dedicated follower of the movies.
Fast Forward to May 8th, 2018, I decided that I would see Captain Marvel for a good time. I was not expecting much and all I knew was that the film took place in the 90’s and she had a cat. I decided to see the film at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. in their Lockheed IMAX theater. My first clue that this was going to be a special film was that I arrived an hour early to the screening and it was already sold out which lead me to grab a ticket to the next show and wait three hours in the museum. When the time to get in line for my showing finally came I was amazed to see a line so long that they had to break it into sections to avoid safety concerns. The line finally moved, and I was shocked as I walked into the theater to see the biggest screen I have ever seen in the life to the point where sitting in the back row was too close.
The lights dimmed signaling it was time to watch the movie. Marvel ditched its normal opening for a dedication to its creator Stan Lee in honor of his recent passing. The audience erupted in clapping telling me that I was in the right place with other fellow Marvel fanatics.
I left the movie as a changed woman. I felt so empowered watching Carol Danvers go on her journey of self-discovery. Captain Marvel dropped the typical movie format by spending less time on a plot centered around a love interest. This shift allowed the story to explore the main character of Carol Danvers without any distractions of a love story. Brie Larson proved herself in this film as she kept a level of intensity the whole time and completely disappeared into the character of Carol Danvers. The directors did an excellent job at encompassing the themes of female empowerment and being yourself. Captain Marvel is the missing piece the franchise was missing. It was not a typical female led story where a man is there to save her, or she breaks down in tears. Larson kept her cool the whole time and showed her doubters she doesn’t have to prove anything to them. The whole film was entertaining and easy to follow. The visual effects and synchronized fight scenes further added to the perfection of this film. The moment where Carol Danvers escapes her control by others is such a significant scene. It defines the character and shows that she will not be silenced by others. Carol is her own person.
The way the film was promoted and advertised was very different from what was on the screen. The plot was very dimensional with a twist that no one was expecting. The battle scenes were the best Marvel has done. The supporting characters added to the evolution of Carol and her mission to find out who she was and the potential of her powers. No scene or character was unessential which is a rare quality for films in today’s age. In the end when No Doubt’s “Just A Girl” blared on the screen the audience immediately were on their toes to see what was going to happen. As I was watching Captain Marvel save the galaxy I knew that she was superior to her male counterparts in the Marvel Universe. This film answers a lot of questions in the MCU and does a great job of tying the 22 films together. I am excited to see Captain Marvel’s role in the upcoming Avengers Endgame as I think she will be an important asset to the time. This film makes me ask: Why did it take so long for Captain Marvel to be introduced? This film has slid its way into my top ten films and I am excited to see what Marvel has in store with the character of Captain Marvel and Brie Larson’s portrayal of Carol Danvers.