Marvel Studio’s Captain Marvel (2019) is the birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most powerful hero ever. Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) becomes the subject of an alien operation that grants her unbelievable abilities. Now, she and the rest of Starforce must defend the Kree, and Earth, against the shapeshifting Skrulls. As if war is not enough, her return visit to Earth has also become a journey towards recovering her human past.
It was not so long ago that a 1990s period piece was just modern cinema. Nonetheless, the Captain Marvel clearly takes place in a world long removed from the futuristic-tech modernity of the nineteen previous movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that it stands upon. In this far-off world, the neon blue beacon of a bygone era in home entertainment still stands proudly: Blockbuster.
The trailer, just under two minutes long, is packed with shots of both a world on the brink of technological revolution and a world beyond the wildest imaginations of that world’s denizens. Cars that already look old, fashion at least twenty years out of season, and even a simple baseball field provide a sharp juxtaposition to the futuristic Kree. While the cosmic elements of the Captain Marvel trailer would fit easily into the style audiences have become accustomed to through the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Black Panther (2018), and Avengers: Infinity War (2018), here, they stand out. Captain Marvel seems poised to potentially deliver a stand-out presentation of the world-as-it-was versus the world-as-it-has-become; both through fond nostalgia and perhaps too, a critical reflection of where the franchise, and the real world it is based on, have come in only so long.
A Her-o
There is little doubt that Captain Marvel will draw intense comparison to DC’s Wonder Woman (2017). Captain Marvel is Marvel Studio’s first female-led film, which comes after years of punditry over the box office capacity an action film with a female lead could hold, controversy from Marvel executives and directors over the wide appeal such a film might have, and consistent bickering and excusing over when such a film could ft into Marcel’s tight franchise schedule. No matter what comparisons are drawn between the two movies, or what metrics are used to support or lambast it in the face of the rest of the franchise, Captain Marvel is coming and it is coming in strong.
Carol Danvers is the most powerful hero the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever met and there is no subtlety to her womanhood. The marketing so far for Captain Marvel has not been subtle in its pride for womanhood, down to the trailer itself. It is not overwhelming, but it is certainly there and quite clear especially to those looking for it. This approach has won the movie much excitement and anticipation so far amongst fans. Yet, the movie is by no means being geared to any specifically targeted audience. The original Captain Marvel, the Kree and Carol’s mentor Mar-Vel (Jude Law) is a major supporting character. He stars also alongside some Marvel favorites, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), and Ronan (Lee Pace).
The MCU’s Most Powerful Hero
Not very many Marvel heroes have superpowers in the traditional sense. They are often man-made, like Iron Man, Ant-Man and the Wasp, The Guardians of the Galaxy, War Machine, Falcon, and so on. Captain Marvel is clearly much different. She completely emanates power. A few times in the trailer it becomes quite clear just what the Skrulls are up against, and Danver’s full power has surely not even been revealed yet. She both deflects and expels extraordinary amounts of what can only be described as of now as cosmic energy during the short preview. And when she does, it is awesome.
Isolated to Captain Marvel, the new hero is completely different from anything yet seen in the ten years of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. That alone makes the new movie seem like great fun already. In the context of the whole franchise, Thanos is surely in trouble when Captain Marvel is set to arrive in the untitled Avengers 4 (2019). Being such a unique and brand new character and premise in the Marvel lineup sets Captain Marvel up to be both a potential individual hit and new franchise favorite. Audiences will have the opportunity to will find out and decide for themselves on March 8, 2019 when Captain Marvel hits theaters.
Jason wants to tell you about his current job, but he’s afraid that it might be more trouble than it’s worth. When not writing, Jason works on food justice and sharing music with communities throughout the region. Or he’s unlocking Xbox achievements.