The latest instalment in Disney’s ever growing Marvel Cinematic Universe is a ballsy, smart and genuinely thrilling origin story which stars Brie Larson (Room, Kong: Skull Island, Free Fire) as Captain Marvel, the universe’s strongest, fastest and most powerful superhero. Written and Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, Captain Marvel also stars Annette Bening, Jude Law, Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn in this precursor to this year’s most eagerly awaited superhero movie, Avengers: Endgame.
The year is 1995 and after a failed mission which sees her captured by the Skrulls, a shapeshifting enemy alien race led by Talos (Mendelsohn), elite Kree fighter Vers (Larson) escapes her captors who then lead her to Earth where, as instructed by her commander and mentor Yon-Rogg (Jude Law), she must stop them from getting hold of a powerful and deadly weapon which could help them win the war. After making a not so subtle entrance, Vers is met by FBI and Shield agent Nick Fury (Jackson) and new recruit Coulson (Clark Gregg) who are puzzled by her appearance and superhuman powers.
Joining forces with Fury to defeat a common enemy, Vers soon discovers that she has mysterious links to a scientist named Dr Lawson (Bening). Despite not remembering how they know each other, Vers is convinced that the scientist holds the answer to her lost memories. Armed with this information, Vers and Fury must find the only person who can solve the mystery, a pilot by the name of Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch) who recognises Vers as Carol Danvers, her former best friend and flying teammate whom she believed to be dead.
Boden and Fleck have given us a fresh and universally relatable storyline which works just as well as a standalone film as it does within the MCU timeline. And while the story itself seems perhaps a little overpopulated character-wise, it has to be said that the decision to set the action in he mid 90s was an inspired one. With hilarious visual gags and references to a digital age still in its infancy, Boden and Fleck never miss a chance to capitalise on this particular narrative device.
Larson gives a measured and brilliantly intuitive performance. She is funny, bright and above all extremely likeable. And although she is at times slightly overshadowed by Samual L. Jackson’s faultless comedic delivery, there is never any real doubt over her ability to commend every inch of the screen throughout.
Overall, Captain Marvel could perhaps have benefited from fewer gags and a more coherent storyline, but that’s not to say that the film isn’t every bit as engaging as its exceptionally gifted heroine. A hugely enjoyable, funny and masterfully put together offering from Marvel and Disney who never fail to come up with the goods each and every time.
