An opening statement for those who somehow hate Marvel with all of their beings: Kindly leave your complaints at the window.

That aside, Marvel’s done wonders with “Captain Marvel,” which could be their counterpart to DC’s “Wonder Woman,” an origin story that also offers fresh looks at familiar faces – and not in the way you’d expect, either!

One of the standouts of the movie – aside from further world-building that more than likely will impact the future of the MCU later – was the chemistry between Vers (Brie Larson) and a younger Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson), who couldn’t have been more different from the eye-patched leader that we all know if he tried. Both work with each other in a genuine friendship that translates into solid teamwork and comedic moments worth their weight in gold.

Moving on, the movie could also come across as a meta-textual exploration of two ideas that relate to Captain Marvel’s mythology: What really happens in a war, and how identity is something we have to find for ourselves, especially when faced with expectations beating us up again and again until we submit.

No spoilers, but it says a lot when those you thought would help you, protect you, and guide you every step of the way…turn out not to be what you thought they were. And also choosing to go against people that desperately need help, but again, spoilers.

As one last note, choosing to go back to the 90s was also a good move for telling a new story, as we get to come back to (somewhat) simpler times and see how far society has come, which also ties back into how Captain Marvel has grown as a character and a concept since her initial creation.

It’s getting harder and harder to list all of the high points of the MCU as of late, but based on “Captain Marvel,” I think it’s safe to say that the future’s in good hands as we move into its next generation.

Welcome Home, Carol ‘Avenger’ Danvers.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 sails

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