Grade: B
The Marvel Cinematic Universe adds yet another movie to their voluminous canon with Captain Marvel, initially confusingly titled for me. Neither of the “title” character’s names are Captain Marvel. There is a character named Marvel in the film (pronounced “Mar-velle”), but other than that…I had to look up why it’s called what it is, and even then, it at best only kinda makes sense.
The movie takes us back to the 1990s, much like I hear Ready Player One submerged us in the 80s. Dial-up internet connections, Radio Shack, Blockbuster Video, pay phones, a two-way beeper, a Nine Inch Nails t-shirt, and more are all prevalent here. The soundtrack features groups like TLC, Hole (the song of theirs they use has always been one of my guiltiest pleasures), and a memorable use of No Doubt’s “Just a Girl.” Brie Larson kicks lots of butt as the so-called title character. I previously knew her from her Oscar winning performance in Room, and as Amy Schumer’s sister in Trainwreck. This role will put her on the map even more. Returning to the CMU as Nick Fury is Samuel L. Jackson in a pretty substantially sized supporting role. With his look and how physical he is here, it’s hard to believe he is 70 years old in real life. Other faces I recognized – beside the credit cookie cameos – include Jude Law, Annette Bening, and Djimon Hounsou.
What a great gravy train this has been for actors like Robert Downey Jr, Samuel L. Jackson, and all the others whose characters keep showing up in these movies, almost too numerous to keep track of. Nice work if you can get it. The rating I award this is the easiest grade to give, and the most difficult review to write. Back when I saw 100 to 200 new movies a year, this was always my most frequently given grade in the end of year tallies. It’s the middle-of-the-road “it was good.” It should tell you something that I saw Carol Danvers…excuse me, Captain Marvel two nights ago, and am just now writing about it. But there’s nothing wrong with it, in fact there is lots right with it, and many will enjoy – no doubt. I think this is the first CMU film I’ve seen in the theater, and on opening weekend, no less. Good first blood.
Grade: B
Film Reviews by Mark 
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