by Editorial Staff

For those of you who are not well versed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain Marvel is the one referenced on Nick Fury’s pager at the end of last year’s “Avengers: Infinity War.”  Her origin story is told in this movie, taking place in the 1990s, as Vers, played by Brie Larson, works as an alien soldier fighting in an intergalactic war that takes her to earth.

With the help of S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Fury, played again by Samuel L. Jackson who was digitally de-aged over twenty years for the role, Vers discovers she is really Carol Danvers, an ex-U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who was presumed dead after an experimental jet crash. She brings the battle home when both sides of that war come looking for that jet.

The movie is filled with Marvel’s usual action scenes, surprises, and twists, including an appearance by comic book writer and co-creator of the first Captain Marvel, Stan Lee. The opening credits included a tribute to Lee since he died last year.

The movie is filled with even more references to other movies in the MCU. Some are subtle, while others are obvious. For example, the jet is powered by an energy-core that is, in turn, powered by a very familiar looking blue cube called the Tesseract, which makes its sixth appearance in the MCU.

And, not only does a younger version of Fury appear, but a newly hired S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, Phil Coulson, played again by Clark Gregg who was also digitally de-aged.

There is a feminist theme throughout the movie. Obviously, its lead is a woman. But, it went into detail about her past, pursuing interests that she loved, falling down more times than she can count, and being told that she is too emotional and does not belong, especially by men. The story lets Danvers prove herself and prove others, especially the men in her life, wrong.

In the end, the movie shows the start of a beautiful friendship between Captain Marvel and Nick Fury and only begins to explain why Fury pages her at the end of “Infinity War.”The mid-credits scene does tease the next MCU film: “Avengers: Endgame,” promising an appearance by Captain Marvel herself.

Marvel fan or not, Captain Marvel is definitely worth seeing in theaters.

Contributions by Bella Lopez