Texan Mosaic

An ultimate soldier is not defined by their ability, but rather their compassion and morality.

The latest movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), “Captain Marvel,” directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, is the first film in the MCU with a female superhero as the center of the movie.

“Captain Marvel” follows Carol Danvers, also known as Vers, as she is in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. The movie doesn’t take much time explaining the two alien races, so you have to figure out things as you go.

Vers, played by Brie Larson, is training as a warrior on the Kree planet of Hala. Her mentor, Yon-Rogg, played by Jude Law, is constantly telling her to not let her emotions get the best of her.

But when she goes on her first mission, Vers is captured and interrogated by the enemy race known as Skrulls. When she is being interrogated, she sees glimpses of her past life on Earth as test pilot Carol Danvers.

Once she escapes from the Skrull ship, she lands on a different planet Earth. On Earth, Vers begins to piece together her past life as an Air Force test pilot. As she discovers memories she didn’t know she had, she also finds more bravery and strength in herself.

Annette Bening plays Carol’s mysterious mentor in the Air Force, Dr. Wendy Lawson. Maria Rambeau, played by Lashana Lynch, helps Carol reclaim her personality as her best friend. Maria is a fellow pilot who never got the shot she deserved because she was a woman and a young mother.

Carol’s most important relationship, however, is with young S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson. Fury follows Carol through her journey to discover herself and protect the planet from the Skrull she believes is a threat.

Carol discovers that what she thought was true about the war she’s apart of is a lie. She becomes “Captain Marvel,” turn against the Kree. This tests her strength in a way she has never experienced before, and she gathers the strength from all of her past experiences to get up again.

“Captain Marvel” presents a strong feminist message, showing that it’s OK if you fall, as long as you always get back up. The final fight scene offers a powerful metaphor for what can be accomplished if you stop waiting to be told that you are enough and stop believing the people who tell you you’re too emotional or too weak.

This movie is important for the MCU storyline. Marvel is leading up to “Avengers: Endgame,” which is coming out next month, and they’re introducing a new character that could be vital to the next movie.  It fills in the blanks in some aspects of the MCU, such as the Kree race and where one of the infinity stones comes from. It’s a good build up for the next movie that has been highly anticipated.

The movie was also very nostalgic. Set in the ‘90’s, “Captain Marvel” features both music and locations from the ‘90’s, such as a Blockbuster Video Store. The way it was shot also provided a nostalgic feeling. It was simply done like it would have been if it was filmed in the ‘90’s.

Overall, it was a good story line and a good cast to back it up. I really enjoyed it, not just because it has a female character in the lead but because of the strength the character has.

Although “Captain Marvel” has been recently introduced, she is definitely one of my favorite characters. I give “Captain Marvel” a nine out of 10.