Marvel's Wonder Woman (and that's a good thing)

Rating: 8/10 (5 April 2019)

I didn't walk into "Captain Marvel" expecting more than a girls-kick-ass movie, which, given the massive hype behind this film, was a fairly low bar. One of the problems I've had with the marketing is introducing Carol Danvers as Deus Ex Machina for defeating Thanos.
The good news is that the movie easily surpasses expectations because there's actually a character here. She's as powerful inside as she is externally, and that's what ultimately makes this work. I was (as always) impressed with Brie Larson, although the script didn't offer her many chances to actually speak. It's to her credit that she charms with what she's given.
The real surprise to me is that I enjoyed this movie in the larger MCU sense than just on the origin story basis - and I can't remember the last time this has happened. I liked Nick Fury's expanded role here, his youthful CGI work is impressive, and those scenes in which he has sort of a buddy relationship with Carol were very nice. Also love that he is a cat person.
So yeah, she's super powerful, but it's earned, and this actually made me excited for the next Marvel movie (and I've been suffering burn-out for years).