Captain Marvel will be MUCH more enjoyable if you're familiar with the 2012+ canon.

Rating: 9/10 (9 March 2019)

I'm not one of those comic book elitists who disregards your opinion if you've forsaken the source material. In fact, I shudder to think where Marvel Comics would be if not for the life-saving injection of Marvel Studios and the resulting fan base that even includes a sect that have no interest comics. However, uniquely in the case of Captain Marvel, I feel like it's quite useful to be familiar with the Kelly Sue DeConnick canon beginning in 2012 as well as the reprisal in 2014. This comic is unabashedly feminist. Does that suck the fun out of it? No. It doesn't man-bash, but rather empowers, which is what I thought was at the heart of feminism anyway. The comic showcases a woman with an enormous native strength of will that predates the assumption of her super powers. This is accomplished without a shred of bitchiness, and is actually representative of most of the women in my life. Certainly, Carol encounters everyday obstacles exclusive to women, having been told since childhood she can't do certain things in light of her being a "girl". She doesn't always deal with these obstacles perfectly, but she also doesn't give credence to her detractors by feeling like she has to prove herself. After all, she has bigger issues to deal with...like saving the world. As a 40-something year old man, while I was acutely aware of the nuances, I never once felt like the DeConnick Captain Marvel was shoving an agenda down my throat, nor did I feel like I was reading a frilly "girl's comic". ("Not that there's anything wrong with that" in my best 90s Seinfeld).
The film quite effectively imparts this essence and bolsters it with archetypal Marvel Studios flair. After seeing the film, any reticence I may have had about Brie Larson's ability to carry this character well into future installments has been effectively obliterated. Marvel Studios continues their track record for excellent casting demonstrating insight into an actor's presence that I otherwise wouldn't have seen. I immediately accepted Larson as the de facto Carol Danvers and now would have a difficult time seeing anyone else take on the role. The chemistry between Samuel L. Jackson and Larson is real, and I love seeing these two play off each other. While I've seen several comments about the scene-steeling Goose and/or Talos, I honestly feel like that's been overstated. Captain Marvel is on the lighter side of the Marvel Studios formulaic spectrum as it's laden with humor, but its heart is undeniable. The fun 90s nostalgia is ever present, but it never becomes a crutch. The soundtrack cements the theme with such 90s standards as R.E.M., Garbage, Nirvana, and No Doubt to name a few. Additional girl-power support came out of nowhere with the inclusion of a favorite 80s Lita Ford hit. The score also does a nice job of approximating the 90s version of electronica.
We saw Captain Marvel in IMAX. The shifting aspect ratios were used sparingly but effectively, demonstrating expansive spacescapes and the overwhelming Hala skyline. While it's not the neon spectacle that was Thor Ragnarok, Captain Marvel has its share of unnaturally and richly saturated colors against deep blacks devoid of grit or grain. The dynamic soundtrack was well-balanced with excellent use of discrete directional effects and booming percussive explosions and clear dialogue.
Captain Marvel is an origin film, and while it's presumably a crucial element in the grand Marvel Cinematic Universe scheme, it will work well as a stand-alone for those who have no prior exposure to the canon. This is a tremendously fun film with lots of heart and endearing characters. I very much look forward to seeing it again.