Nothing Marvellous here (except Stan Lee)

Rating: 7/10 (31 March 2019)

Captain Marvel... a film of controversy. And I'm probably about as ready to end the war between the "manbabies" and their antagonisers as any sane-minded person. It's true each film must be judged according to its particular merits and faults, rather than any personal values held by parties concerned with the production thereof. It's true that female heroines can (emphasis on "can") display moral traits exemplary to the exact degree that masculine heroes can. The antidote to the sort of character represented in Captain Marvel - which I believe is a partly fabricated ideal of one extreme of the political spectrum, and not an accurate representation of reality - is an attitude forgetful of its own nature - true feminism does not diminish the particular merits of male characters in an attempt to elevate those of a female character; nor does it make a conscious effort to ennumerate the disadvantages of the female sex in society. What everyone agrees constitutes a successfully heroic male superhero likewise applies to a female superhero - the self-less, virtuous "giving" spirit, that never tires from expending itself to increase the well-being of people everywhere, and in a personal way, those closest to it. Without stating political values, a female character can accomplish this in the same manner a male character can and always has - simply by leading a good example and speaking to the hearts and aspirations of audiences through actions of valor. Granted, Captain Marvel appeals to a wide audience, thanks to the fairly understated nature of its message. Yet there's always an irksome memory of an obscured intent in all of the movie, and it's this that tampers with its direction. I understand the reasons I have listed for a lack of connection with the character of Carol Danvers probably reek of enough "toxic masculinity" to earn the spiteful vitriol of many reviewers, and I'm sorry for that. I want good stories, like anyone else. But if a politically motivated campaign alters my feelings for a movie made partly with the intention of fuelling said campaign, I claim the first motion of offence as originating in direct opposition to me, and if I respond negatively, I haven't cast the first stone.
The subject crucial to criticism of a movie, characters and their development, follows on from the previously discussed subject of political motives, which I'll try and leave behind as I treat other areas of the film. Certainly, the accusations of "wooden" expressions of Brie Larson's Captain Marvel hailing from certain of her critics are not entirely true; I think she performs the role with confidence, and my gripes are not with her acting, so much as her atittude. I was impressed with the inaccessability of Larson's character, remote and indifferent as she seemed. Her constant quips forced her personality into a very isolated place, where her confidence and abilities proved her able enough, yet where I found myself desirous of sincerity and empathy in her dealings with her friends. She obviously enjoys the greatest relationship with Maria Rambeau and her daughter Monica, whom she treats with an arguably more down-to-earth approachability than Fury, who strangely morphs into some kind of comic relief, along with Ben Mendelsohn's Scrull leader, Talos. Unlike the crucible of fire we endure along with MCU regulars Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, Carol Danvers maintains an aloofness throughout the film that doesn't assist the third act action in feeling earned or satisfying. Her trials are simple and she doesn't experience a lot of change over the course of events. But to let Captain Marvel rest for a minute: as anyone can observe from the front cover, this movie contains a terrific cast comprised of the likes of Annette Bening, Brie Larson, Jude Law, Gemma Chan, Djimon Hounsou, Ben Mendelsohn, Lee Pace, Clark Greg, and Samuel L. Jackson - yet it makes poor use of such a range of talent. Relationships that could have been solid and endearing or alternately tragic and heart-breaking were watered down for no good reason, and some characters were criminally under-formed. I think the material has some definitely unrealised potentional, but I also think the sequel could surpass this one by furthering relationships and deepening existing characterization - I hope it does!
Moving on to writing - again, we have what I consider missed opportunities. Then there are integral plot points that don't sit right with me. It's not my movie, and I didn't make it, but as an individual I hoped for more classic, thoughtfully-conceived and executed villainy, heroism and drama all round than I ended up getting. To expound on that point, I would practically be in spoiler-ish territory, so I'll have to hold out on that. The potential was there, and I feel it was abused. The beginning is brief, and does very little to establish our protagonist's life before the "call to adventure", allowing us fleeting glimpses of worlds we never knew existed, but never lingering on them as long as we'd like. Indeed, for a sci-fi adventure movie, Captain Marvel holds back a little too much on introducing and exploring new worlds and concepts we know must exist, but rarely see, and as a result, little understand. The movie has a voluminous quantity of information it needs to convey to an audience largely unfamiliar with the comic-book details, and I think the writing is slightly stifled by it all. After a confusing launch, the movie comes together well enough, but it's certainly lacking something I hope to see more of in the sequel, and there were a few moments when I was bewildered to a degree that took a little faith to push on to discover what was really happening. I wish the movie had taken more pains to establish origins and dwell on the most exciting characters and places, of which we see too little. Ultimately, it left me feeling underwhelmed, as the scale of world-building and battles and characterization felt limited and confined.
In summarising, I must say that in the recently contentious arena of female-led entertainment Alita: Battle Angel won my love and enthusiasm far more than Captain Marvel managed to. It's a credible Marvel movie, and it's fun enough. The costumes, make-up and effects are great (especially Samuel L. Jackson's de-ageing), and of course I can't complain with the quality of production or talent (only with how it was utilised). It also has an important place in the franchise, as it fleshes out a period (neatly used in the script) we haven't seen on-screen in a Marvel movie before, and sets us up for Avengers: Endgame. And I'd be remiss in omitting Goose the flerkin from this review, as, true to the testimonials of others, he does indeed steal the show.
Is Captain Marvel a missed opportunity? I think it is, somewhat. It has dampened my interest in concepts which before I found more fascinatingly hopeful for the future of the universe, and contrary to my own expectations, it threw some doubt over Endgame's chances of being everything I hoped it to be.
Is Captain Marvel a propaganda piece, filled with subtle messages and offensive to male audiences? No, not exactly. What messages it contains are thankfully more understated than one may have expected, and it does indeed appeal to wide audiences, who will probably appreciate it if not as another Civil War or Infinity War, at least as a competent and entertaining episode in the ever-growing Marvel franchise. Be your own judge.