"Captain Marvel": The Times You Get Back Up Define You

Rating: 10/10 (11 March 2019)

In Disney and Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel", vulnerable Brie Larson as warrior Vers sheds tears speaking with someone from her human past, resilient Lashana Lynch as best friend Maria, "I don't know who I am!" Maria acknowledges Vers, who was "Aunt' to her daughter Monica, played by radiant Akira Akbar, "You were the most powerful person I know." Vers' humanity is the distinct power of "Captain Marvel".
Brie evokes commanding presence as the emergent Hero. Curious note: No one really calls her Captain Marvel. She looks so cool in her sleek blue and red suit dispatching intergalactic villains with astounding martial arts skills.
Yet, what resonates from Writer and Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's narrative are 13 year-old Carol Danvers at bat after being struck down by an errant pitch. Or soiled Air Force cadet Carol rising from the ground after falling from the swinging obstacle course rope. Character defines destiny. Amen.
Unlike by the numbers, loud big budget Superhero movies, independent filmmakers Anna and Ryan poignantly tell the human story of a woman's transformation. It's never about the number of times you fail or fall down. It's about the times you get back up.
In "Captain Marvel": the Hero arises. Having great strength, super speed or in Vers' case - photon blasts from her fists, can be significant. What makes her Hero, what makes her powerful is her belief in herself.
"Captain Marvel" is Marvel's first standalone female Superhero movie. One might say, "Well, it's about time." Well, Anna, Ryan and Geneva Robertson-Dworet's screenplay is the timely tale of the woman revealing her untapped power within. Brie's Vers bravely distinguishes who she is. She also invents who she can be. "Captain Marvel" is the surprising comic book narrative journey of self-discovery.
Hero isn't about wearing the shiny suit or gaining tremendous physical prowess. Brie Larson is authentically bold as she discovers the Hero within herself, the Hero that has always been there. She exudes a refreshing sense of humor in the often dour Superhero construct. Brie brilliantly leverages endearing screen chemistry with aloof, charismatic Samuel L. Jackson as young Nick Fury, before the eye patch and SHIELD. Their whimsical banter is the welcome distraction from the galactic Kree - Skrull War. "Captain Marvel" creators also generate relevancy in the refugee prejudice of the Alien Skrull.
"Captain Marvel" opens on the Kree home planet - Hala. Apparent Kree Vers (Brie) is member of the elite Warrior group, Starforce. Her mentor is intrepid, war-weary Yon-Rogg, played by dashing strong Jude Law. Paradoxically, he tells Vers, "I want you to be the best version of yourself." Vers is constantly haunted by images of a 'previous life'.
Starforce embarks on the mission to retrieve a spy from their dreaded enemy, the Skrulls. Vers is captured. Escaping further torture, she crash lands in a Blockbuster Video store on Earth, 1995. While awaiting for Yon-Rogg's rescue, Vers meets FBI Agent Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson - CGI enhanced to look 30 years younger. Fury's partner is Agent Coulson, played by equally CGI-ed, spirited Clarke Gregg. High-tech nostalgia at best.
Vers and Fury reluctantly join forces to unconceal the Skull conspiracy and to locate the legendary Tesseract power source. Meanwhile, Vers resurfaces memories of the ubiquitous Supreme Intelligence, Leader of the Kree, played by beautiful sublime Annette Benning. Seems Vers knew her in her past human life as fighter pilot Captain Carol Danvers. Does Supreme Intelligence hold the secret of Vers' enigmatic past or her infinite future? Or both?
At times, "Captain Marvel" tries too hard to cover all its bases: as classic superhero movie, sci-fi mythology or stunning action adventure. Yet, its narrative resonance lives in its Hero - Vers and awesome Brie Larson. Brie is so strong, so compassionate in her character's reckoning. She soulfully defines: The Hero's power lies in her heart, in her humanity. "Captain Marvel" is one of the best Marvel movies. It's just that great.