Captain Marvel Review: A Quality Feminist Film Opens The Door To More MCU Female-Led Films

Director: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck

Cast: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Clark Gregg, Jude Law.

As the first female-led Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, Captain Marvel is arriving in the cinema under a heavy burden of expectations. Considering DC Entertainment (it's rival) already released Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman, which is both critical and commercial success. However, Captain Marvel, which hit the cinema on International Women’s Day, mostly bears the weight of the expectations.

Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) is a Starforce agent for the alien Kree race fighting against an invading race named ‘The Skrull’. She is ambitious and seems to be harbouring some unique powers. However, her leader Yon-Rogg (Jude Law) is trying to teach her how to keep these power in check, and he often reminds her not to let her emotions get the best of her. Carol does not always listen. She is struggling to control her powers and making efforts to find out why she has no memory of her past.

When a mission failed, Carol finds herself on mid-1990s Earth. Here, she meets Nick Fury (Samuel L.Jackson), who is an agent of clandestine government agency S.H.I.E.L.D. She is forced to work with him to take on the Skrulls as well as undercover the truth. Along the way, Carol comes to terms with her powers, learns to control them, and confronts one society that believes a woman cannot drive cars, joins the army or becomes fighter pilots.

Oscar-winner Brie Larson is fierce and cool as a Kree warrior trying to figure out who she really is. Her performance and chemistry with Samuel L.Jackson is the obvious highlight in the film. The two work so well with each other especially in a scene when they have to work out how to escape from a locked USAF office.

The film’s biggest strength lies in the friendship between Carol Danvers and Air Force pilot Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch). Maria always supports Carol when she cannot remember about her life on earth, helps her to discover her past and reclaim memories. “You were the most powerful woman I knew right before you could shoot fire from your fists”, that’s what Maria tells Carol when she needs a few confidence boots.

Captain Marvel is two hours of female empowerment packaged with all the visual power that you would expect from one Marvel blockbuster. The action scenes are engaging and playful to watch with Brie Larson’s choreography and physicality that take centre stage in every fight.

The screenplay is well written with a creative story for Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel. It even contains more twists and turns that fans might expect.

In conclusion, Captain Marvel pulls off a satisfying introduction to the hero who may be a key figure in the Avengers: End Game. It also opens the door to more MCU films with female leads.

>>> Also read: 7 Incredibles Easter Eggs Hidden In The BlockBuster "Captain Marvel" You May Missed!