By Seth Lukas Hynes
Captain Marvel
Starring Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson and Jude Law
Rated M
Captain Marvel is an outstanding superhero character drama and one of the best Marvel Cinematic Universe films in years.
Stranded on Earth in 1995, powerful Kree warrior Vers (Brie Larson) must team up with Shield agent Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) to thwart an invasion by the shapeshifting Skrulls and uncover her own mysterious past.
Larson shines as Vers, portraying a confident, resourceful woman who adapts well to the culture shock of ’90s Earth but is still desperate to find out who she really is.
Larson has fantastic chemistry with her co-stars, and the plot deftly weaves together Vers’ journey of self-discovery with the external conflict of the Skrulls seeking an experimental power source.
The film has vibrant visuals (especially in the early scenes on the Kree homeworld) and frenetic but well-shot action, and as Vers’ past steadily coalesces, the narrative builds to a brilliant twist that subverts our perspectives on the presumed good and bad sides.
Like Wonder Woman in 2016, Captain Marvel is an empowering film for women and girls, as Vers shows such excitement and pride in her growing abilities. The film sensitively engages with female friendship as Vers rekindles her bond with fellow pilot Maria (Lashana Lynch), and should resonate for any women whom have been forced to suppress their emotions or prove themselves to an unfair degree.
Captain Marvel is a thrilling, tightly-plotted and thoroughly joyful superhero adventure.
