Review: A bumpy takeoff for Captain Marvel

The titular “Captain Marvel” is witty and funny, though her feature film does not soar to grand heights.

By Aimee Martinez, Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy of Marvel Studios

As a precursor to “Avengers: Endgame,” we are presented with “Captain Marvel” just in time to know the character so suspensefully alluded to at the end of “Avengers: Infinity War.”

The film opens with a close up of Carol Danvers bleeding blue as she dreams of a memory where a former Air Force colleague reappears. According to mentor Yon-Rogg (Jude Law), this dream is a sign that her emotions are once again prohibiting her from unlocking her true potential. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t quite hit its true potential either.

The movie takes place in 1995, when spy organization SHIELD is just beginning and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) still has both eyes. The film journeys through the present and past of former Air Force officer Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) as she discovers who she is and who she was with the accompaniment of Garbage, No Doubt and Nirvana in true 90s fashion.

With her memories scattered, Danver’s identity of being an honorable warrior of the technologically advanced and militaristic Kree rely on the events of the past six years under the tutelage of Yon-Rogg. Caught amidst a battle of two alien races — Kree and Skrull — Danvers becomes perhaps the strongest Avenger as she comes to grips with her humanity.

The movie’s fast-paced sequences left some information to be desired, and caused twists and problems to be so lightweight; the audience barely had time to process the emotions before it was gone in the blink of an eye. As Danvers struggles to regain her memories, there are moments where she does not remember people at all. Then in the next scene, she is reminiscing with her best friend about the good times; memories easily flooding in to complete the conversation without letting the audience in on what’s happening inside her head.

Captain Marvel, from her goblin-green suit into a patriotic red and blue, displayed heroism both in her life before Kree and after. It was inspiring to see the strength in Danvers, not only in her newfound powers, but in her history with becoming a skilled pilot despite the discouragement of many who told her she was too emotional. Her spunk, wit and amusing banter made her a particularly delightful character to watch.

There was a good balance between comedy and drama. The chummy relationship between Danvers and Fury was amusing. It showed Fury in a much softer light before the hardening of intergalactic wars.

The characters had interesting storylines which, unfortunately, were executed in mediocre fashion. The villain had little screen time, diminishing any animosity we could have felt for the character. Danver’s role among the Kree was not delved into as much as it should have been. In a film that contained Academy Award nominees Jude Law and Annette Benning and Academy Award winner Brie Larson, it was a shame to see their talents squandered.

The film itself was enjoyable, but it was definitely not Marvel’s best. However, if the Marvel Universe has any chance of defeating Thanos, it’s going to be with Captain Marvel.