A Phase One MCU film trapped in Phase Three

Rating: 7/10 (14 March 2019)

It feels like Marvel took a slight step back with this film. One of the strengths of their movies is that no matter how good the movie, the main hero is typically always well-written. Captain Marvel struggles somewhat with showcasing its main character and giving her a compelling arc, given she is essentially the same character from beginning to end. Brie Larson is fine in the role, but isn't given a ton to work with. The film is pretty standard in that it has the reliable Marvel action and humor to keep it afloat without ever taking too many risks, a la most Phase One films. Not that Phase One MCU movies are bad, and Captain Marvel certainly isn't bad, it simply comes across as being just..... fine. It's style and tone don't really help it stand out in an increasingly populated MCU and it isn't quite the prelude to Endgame I think a lot of people were hoping for. Captain Marvel is a decent entry in the Marvel canon, but it feels like it could have reached higher, further, faster.