Captain Marvel is the 21st film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is also proof that Marvel is not content on turning out predictable outings at the movies. Those who have followed along with the previous films are also aware she’s gearing up for the fight against Thanos in the sequel to last years Infinity War. Although in her case, she may not be a household name like Iron Man or Thor. It was always obvious that her first film would have to be an origin story, but how it’s presented here is in the style of a Bourne-style thriller and you’re going to have to stay along for the ride to get to the beginning of her story. Does it work? Well with mixed results.

Your mileage may vary for how the first half of the film plays out. The movie drops you right into her life on her Kree homeworld and the ongoing war between their world and the Skrulls, a group of shapeshifting aliens seeking domination on other planets. Brie Olson is fine enough in the role and does bring certain confidence that hasn’t felt this fresh to Marvel since audiences were introduced to Tony Stark in 2008. Obviously, she doesn’t quite hit those highs but at no point do her decisions seem anything short of what you’d expect someone so self-assured to do or say. Her memory of the past is sparse but we get flashbacks of the smaller parts that make up who Carol is. While successful in creating a picture of her, it often does it at the expense of the films running time.

There is enough twists and turns to keep you locked into where it’s going but the journey we take to get there can sometimes feel shallow. Captain Marvel largely lacks the more flawed aspects of her colleagues, namely Tony Stark, Bruce Banner & Thor. Her journey is more about discovery, not overcoming any personal conflict which is a largely different play for Marvel. This sometimes made her character less relatable and found that some of the material never elevates beyond watchable in parts. Again, mileage may vary here. However, during its final act, we get a satisfying conclusion to her origin and some very fun action-packed scenes. I have to make a point to mention that Samuel L Jackson acts circles around everyone in this movie and is always a joy when he’s on screen. The comedic backbone of a mostly lighthearted affair. It’s hard to say its a great Captain Marvel movie so much as its a good Carol Danvers story. When she finally utilizes her abilities that are only seen briefly in other segments of the film, it’s always a joy, even if it’s over as quickly as it started. But the things that motivate Carol, her courage and her beliefs are spelled out intricately.

The design and feel of the movie are reminiscent of a 90’s sci-fi film. If you’ve ever wanted to see a female superhero lay the smack down on a bad guy to No Doubt’s I’m Just a Girl will get a kick out of the vibe of the whole film. Those paying attention who were teenagers in the ’90s will surely smile at what’s on display here. There are enough connections to prior MCU films for even the most die-hard fans to enjoy. It’s undoubtedly faithful to the Marvel formula. It’s the unusual way they’ve created a new type of origin story that will most likely divide viewers. Its a hit or miss approach that assumes the audience is on board no matter what’s going on. In the end, its a by the numbers superhero flick but with a unique approach on the three-act structure. But as its biggest issues lie in not getting enough Captain Marvel on display, I also left the theater equally excited to have her back in Endgame.

6.5/10

– Josh