Captain Marvel is the latest superhero movie released by Marvel Studios, making it the twenty-first movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Brie Larson stars as the titular character, whose real name is Carol Danvers. The film revolves around Carol Danvers as she discovers the truth about her past.
Captain Marvel differs from other origin stories of superheroes. In this film, our superhero already has powers at the beginning of the movie. The film works backwards, and we learn more about the Carol before she received her powers and the moment she became Captain Marvel. It’s a nice change from all other origin stories, where we meet the superhero and see them through the things that give them superpowers and their attempts to control them. By the end of those films, including this one, a superhero is established with an acceptance for their powers and a clear idea on how they’re going to use their powers for good.
This is the kind of superhero that girls need. It’s Marvel’s first female led superhero film, which is why it was so controversial in the media, especially leading up to its release. Many people argued that the movie is too “feminist,” but I think it’s just the right amount. There are several scenes in the movie that present the everyday challenges that women face on a daily basis.
In one scene where Carol is standing outside of a store, a man catcalls her and tells her to “smile more.” I, as well as many females, have experienced a similar kind of exchange at one point or another. Near the end of the movie, she engages in a standoff with her mentor, Yon-Rogg, who turns out to be one of the bad guys. During the battle, Yon-Rogg challenges Carol, telling her to “prove herself to him” and saying that she is “too emotional.” These are also common phrases women hear from men who believe they are the superior gender.
Captain Marvel does not push its feminist views to its viewers. Rather, it’s included enough sporadically to just make a statement. Many women and men have praised this film for its inclusion of the scenes I mentioned above. It shows audiences the challenges women face and it needs to be talked about.
Captain Marvel has been doing really well in theatres since its initial release, topping the box office with a whopping $153 million during opening week. Its earnings continue to skyrocket, surpassing other superhero films like Spider-Man and Wonder Woman. The film resonates well with fans, who are giving the movie nothing but good reviews. However, the critics do not share the same sentiment and argue it does not stand up to the hype of other Marvel movies such as last year’s Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War.
Brie Larson will reprise her role and return as Captain Marvel in Avengers: Endgame, which will be released in theatres on April 26.
