Captain Marvel Movie Review

Captain Marvel (2019)

Rent Captain Marvel on Amazon Video
Written by: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck & Geneva Robertson-Dworet (screenplay by), Nicole Perlman & Meg LeFauve and Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck & Geneva Robertson-Dworet (story by) 
Directed by: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Annette Bening, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Clark Gregg
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
Unaware of her past Carol Danvers regains her memories and becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.

Verdict
This is a competent super hero movie that manages to intertwine a few arcs with the typical save the world super hero story while having some fun. I enjoyed this more than I expected. There is a focus on the character and Marvel and Fury have a great dynamic. I definitely liked the heavy '90s nostalgia.
Watch it.

Review
Having been underwhelmed by Captain Marvel in Avengers: Endgame (read my review), I wasn't sure how much I'd like this movie. She seemed integral to the Endgame plot after the credits scene in Infinity War (read my review), but was barely in the movie.

If I had looked up the writers/directors before the movie started, I would have been more hopeful. They've done Sugar (read my review) and Mississippi Grind (read my review), both very different from a super hero movie and very character focused.

This starts with Captain Marvel being called Vers. She's a hot head hotshot that could be super powerful if only she could keep her emotions in check. Her emotions make her dangerous. Vers doesn't remember her past.
While I don't typically like jumps back in time this movie makes it a part of the plot as Vers' enemy is probing her memories looking for something. We get a few character building moments with a purpose that fit the story.

The question at this point is what are all these twisted memories? When does she become Captain Marvel? She seemed to be human in her memories, but she isn't now. She crashes through a building without a scratch.

 

The plot of saving thew world, which super her movies seem to be required to do, is intertwined with Vers unearthing her past. It's a nice change of pace and stakes. There's a lot going on in this movie which helps pacing. Not only is this a Captain Marvel origin, but we also get to see a young Nick Fury. There's a question as to who is really the bad guy and the movie handled that really well.
Even Agent Coulson from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. television series makes an appearance.

It's a fun movie that leans hard on nostalgia, there's a Blockbuster video story, lots of 90s music, and a few jabs at outdated technology. The soundtrack might be the best part of this movie.
The script has plenty of fun too with cats being a big part of a running joke.
Brie Larson also does a great job. Her cocky attitude as Marvel works well in the movie and she has a great camaraderie with Fury. I liked this a lot more than I expected.

There's a nice twist on the villains' goals and we do eventually uncover the mystery of Captain Marvel's powers. To kick off the big fight No Doubt's "I'm Just a Girl" starts up which is a bit pointed but also fits the music that's in the movie.

After watching this movie it's clear Captain Marvel is overpowered. While Endgame gave her the excuse of being busy, she still should have easily put Thanos down.