With Brie Larson suiting up as the mighty titular heroine, Marvel soars to an incredible peak in its newest feature film. "Captain Marvel" is the 20th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe which entails a meta-jetlag for the franchise. In the wake of its efflorescent steam with "Avengers: Infinity War," Marvel studios might have finally begun to disintegrate beneath its own core. Alas, "Captain Marvel" still flies with heaps of childlike wonder plus smithereens of badassery. Larson shines as Carol Danvers, an Air Force pilot whose memories somehow eradicate albeit being the all mighty Captain Marvel from the planet Hala, home to the extraterrestrial military race Kree. The galalactic heroine plummets into Earth after escaping an encounter with the Skrulls: a race of alien shapeshifters. Captain Marvel must now stop the war between the Kree and Skrulls as she discovers more about her past and present. The plot is murky as soon as the blockbuster begins, and the appearance of a 90's Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) should clear the annoying embers. It does not. Perhaps for the first time in the MCU, Fury's presence complicates the riddle that is "Captain Marvel." But Jackson's organic charisma still oozes while Larson's Danvers is the theatrical badass. Though the heroine is ostentatious, Larson's feistiness is delectably pulpable that her talent conceals the overbreadth treatment for Captain Marvel. Continuing its previously winning strategy, Marvel Studios hires more directors from the independent scene to helm blockbusters. Filmmaking duo Ana Boden and Ryan Fleck put on their super cowls and writes a disappointingly half-cooked feature about one of the franchise's most celebrated heroes. As such, "Captain Marvel" bleeds with a sense of urgency just rushing until the credits ultimately speed on the viewers' distracted sights. But Boden and Fleck collect their mess to rile up some power, aspiring to energize the movie into a space opera with cosmic ships hyperspeeding ala "Star Wars." Nevertheless, "Captain Marvel" poses more cracks on its skin -- the overstuffed characters appear like stars in a sky full of it. Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace), Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), and Korath (Djimon Hounsou) all return in their younger versions to stir the confusion while Larson mesmerizes, creating a diversion to the muddled plot. It is Captain Marvel's most heroic act during the film. Fury's eye also suffers a deluding fate; much to the chagrin of fans who have hoped for a more epic finale for the future S.H.I.E.L.D. director's storied pupil. Larson as Carol Danvers is more riveting, and seeing her moments in the Air Force, "Captain Marvel" may be better as a female-led version of "Top Gun." Plus, the super heroine dressed in grunge is even more convincing than her arc with the Kree. "Captain Marvel" might be a nostalgia act for those who care, and for those who do not, the movie will be easier to enjoy knowing that the mightiest heroine is virtually down to earth.
Director: Ana Boden and Ryan Fleck
Trailer © YouTube.com; Marvel Entertainment
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