Go Higher, Further, Faster with Captain Marvel | A parent’s thoughts
Mr. Serious and I were able to sneak off to a media screening of Captain Marvel yesterday. Neither of us read or watched too much about the movie so we didn’t start coming up with ideas and stories about what we might see. Will I read them after? You bet! But before, I like to go into a movie blind…and with the eyes of a parent, too. This is spoiler-free:)
About Captain Marvel
“Captain Marvel,” an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that introduces the MCU’s first stand-alone, female-franchise title character—Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel.
Set in the 1990s, “Captain Marvel” sidesteps the traditional origin-story template, with Carol Danvers already possessing her superhero powers. Leaving her earthly life behind, she joins an intergalactic elite Kree military team called Starforce, led by their enigmatic commander, Yon-Rogg. But after Danvers has trained and worked with the Starforce team, and become a valued member, she finds herself back on Earth with new questions about her past. While on Earth she quickly lands on the radar of Nick Fury, and they must work together against a formidable enemy in the form of the Skrulls—the notorious Marvel bad guys made even more dangerous by their shape-shifting abilities—and their leader, Talos, who is spearheading a Skrull invasion of Earth.
Set in 1995
The nostalgia is STRONG in Captain Marvel. Set in 1995, if you are around my age, you are surely going to jam out and enjoy the well-rounded music in the movie and sound track. The music alone sets the time period so well. Then will fun jabs like trying to get online, “loading” a computer disc and more, it will likely take you right back to the time of your first computer.
And we all had a little giggle when a scene involving Blockbuster Video happened and a young woman asked “what’s that place?”
Girl Power
I have to say, I’m pretty impressed with MCU’s first stand-alone, female-franchise title character. Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel isn’t just a robot of a super hero. She has a range of emotions and personality that helps you see the real her. You see the struggles she encountered growing up and how she repeatedly gets up again and again after getting knocked down.
You also see her have some pretty amazing powers and a great backstory, too.
“What we wanted to do with ‘Captain Marvel’ was to give Carol a chance to carve out her own space in the universe and not fit her into the existing continuity or have her show up suddenly on the scene, but really give her a lot of rich, deep connection to the core of mythology of the MCU. It’s exciting that we get to introduce fans to this amazing character who has such a deep and abiding fan base in the Marvel Universe.” – producer Kevin Feige
“Captain Marvel” deals directly with feminism and equality. As Jonathan Schwartz explains, “We were all really excited about finding the story and having it infused not only with fun sci-fi action and adventure, but with very real issues like female empowerment and equality, which is one of the key themes of the film.”
“The thing that I found so unique in Carol, from reading the comics and from the script and learning more about her, was her sense of humor mixed with hyperintelligence and total capability in whatever challenge comes her way. I realized after going to the Air Force base that the Air Force pilots are like that, too. So, the spirit of her or the core of her is the Air Force.” – Brie Larson
The story
Just like many of the other MCU movies, this one can stand alone. You don’t need to have any knowledge of any other MCU movie to get the entirety of the story and Carol Danvers’ storyline. You will quickly go back and forth in time to put pieces of her storyline back together just as she’s figuring out her past.
Run time
It’s a fast movie compared to some of the recent MCU movies at just a smidge under 2 hours.
From Mr. Serious
It was awesome. Some twists and mystery, and some amazing powers unveiled by the hero at the end.
You’ll love the connection and lead in to End Game.
What about the kids?
If you are new here, you might not know that we take a pretty conservative approach to movies. Our kids (ages 12-5) have yet to see any of the MCU movies, but have seen all of the Harry Potter movies. After Mr. Serious and I saw the movie, we think this would be a good one to start our oldest two girls. There is some mild swearing (let’s be honest, I’m sure they hear worse at school) and some violence. The violence isn’t hand to hand combat which makes me feel better about it (logical, maybe not?!) There isn’t any sexual or romantic relations that you have to worry about.
I think my 7 year old might be interested in watching, but I’m not sure it would keep her attention and she would follow along.
Credit Scenes and Post-Credit Scenes
Yes. You’ll want to stay for the entirety of the credits. We all know this, but sometimes you need a reminder. Don’t get up until the theater lights come on!
Final Thoughts
We enjoyed the movie. It definitely has answered some questions for us and has us excited for Captain Marvel’s return in End Game.
Nice Blog, I loved the Captain Marvel Movie. Most importantly the fashion in that movie was so awesome. That Carol Danvers Jacket was so Halloween Material.