People of a certain ilk,
the largely male and largely misogynist variety, seem to be preemptively flooding the Captain Marvel page on Rotten Tomatoes with negative reviews. But for film critics and reporters who actually saw the latest Marvel movie, Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers is aglow with praise.
One such reporter was Entertainment Weekly‘s own Devan Coggan. With a hold on social media reactions on Captain Marvel seemingly non-existent, she was able to relay, “#CaptainMarvel is pure joy. I cannot wait for the generation of little girls who will grow up with Carol Danvers as a hero.”
And in news that is very true to my brand, I would die for Goose the cat. #CaptainMarvel
— Devan Coggan (@devancoggan) February 20, 2019
Captain Marvel marks the first solo female-focused film of Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe. In a prequel story set in the ’90s before the events of the very first Iron Man, Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury, at a time when he had both eyes, has his first superhero encounter. Carol Danvers is part human, part Kree, and a member of Starforce, the SEAL Team Six of the Kree. After landing on earth with mere flashes of memory left of her past life as an Air Force pilot, she fights to stop the shapeshifting Skrulls, who’ve already secretly begun invading civilization.
This was the superhero Fury paged when reality was going to dust at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, thanks to Josh Brolin’s Thanos. Carol will return to battle the Mad Titan in Avengers: Endgame and, according to Mashable’s Angie Han, “Well, Thanos is f—ed.”
While it’s not uncommon to see high praise for a Marvel movie within the first batch of early reactions, the first responses continued to praise Larson’s performance as the “stubborn, witty ’90s kid” with “sass, strength & energy.” Lashana Lynch, playing Carol’s Air Force bestie Maria Rambeau, and Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos, head of the Skrulls, were two other standouts.
None, however, seemed to compare to Goose, a version of Carol’s cat from the comics. Perhaps that’s why the feline got its own poster.
See more reactions below.
#CaptainMarvel: Well, Thanos is fucked.
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) February 20, 2019
#CaptainMarvel is (takes deep 90s breath) TOTALLY AWESOME. Never related to a Marvel character quite like Carol. She’s the stubborn witty 90s kid I like to think I am. pic.twitter.com/H6Q9s90KHA
— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) February 20, 2019
The future of the MCU gets even brighter adding #CaptainMarvel to the mix. Really fell for @brielarson’s sass, strength & energy in the role. Same with @LashanaLynch too! Ben Mendelsohn is A+ casting as Talos. And yes, Goose is a scene stealer. 2nd viewing can’t come soon enough.
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) February 20, 2019
Some initial #CaptainMarvel reactions:
— Kayti Burt (@kaytiburt) February 20, 2019
1. Cat people will love this movie.
2. Several truly magnificent music moments for this 90s kid.
3. Carol's hero moment was very cathartic/true to the female experience, imho.
4. The MCU feels more complete now that Carol is in it. ??
I FUCKING LOVED #CAPTAINMARVEL
— Yolanda Machado (@SassyMamainLA) February 20, 2019
Its very different than most of the MCU films and so very 90s. It's funny and fun and super empowering. It made me feel proud to be a woman.
Also, as a 90s teen, the soundtrack....oh, the soundtrack ?
#captainmarvel had space battles, car chases, an amazing 90s soundtrack and an ADORABLE ????! A surprisingly fun script, laughed so much!!! Great to finally see this kick-butt heroine in action ???? pic.twitter.com/Res8K8wMA7
— Jacki Jing (@JackiJing) February 20, 2019
#CaptainMarvel? ? is very fun. And I am thrilled to announce Brie Larson wears my EXACT SAME NINE INCH NAILS tee for more than half the film. Seriously. I’ve never seen anyone else with this shirt.
— Anna Klassen (@AnnaJKlassen) February 20, 2019
And not wacky weird like the GOTG movies. Think more “Rey snapping into endless mirrors” from The Last Jedi type scenes. Also, finally, the MCU and a Nirvana song come together (as Kurt Cobain wanted)
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) February 20, 2019
Despite explosive action, #CaptainMarvel is a character piece & Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers does not disappoint. She crushes it, despite having only 10 mins of screen time sandwiched between full episodes of America’s favorite sitcom, Friends. Can't wait to see her lead Phase 4!
— Ben Mekler (@benmekler) February 20, 2019
#CaptainMarvel was a lot of fun! Just enough ‘90s nostalgia without overdoing it. Brie Larson is great. Ditto Sam Jackson & Ben Mendelsohn. Goose the cat is purr-fect. Some nice surprises and clever decisions throughout. Cool sci-fi elements. And funny! Thumbs up! pic.twitter.com/PzzxXir8pZ
— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) February 20, 2019
Really loved #CaptainMarvel. It’s a little wobbly at times but only because it’s so ambitious. It’s beautifully constructed, hilarious and offers tons of surprises. @brielarson obviously rules but Ben Mendelsohn is the surprise MVP. pic.twitter.com/yQLQGl2Yt0
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) February 20, 2019
Captain Marvel is a blast! Has some cool surprises that I definitely didn't see coming, and the mystery/origin it weaves is engaging and fun. Brie Larson is awesome, and makes a fantastic first step into the MCU #CaptainMarvel pic.twitter.com/oqrRtgDQrp
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) February 20, 2019
Here is my reaction: CAPTAIN MARVEL ABSOLUTELY SOARS! #HigherFurtherFaster pic.twitter.com/1YEhqIQII9
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) February 20, 2019
Marvel does a prequel right, not overexplaining too much but giving us unexpected answers in interesting ways. MCU’s most multilayered villain story. A fun 90s soundtrack, but sometimes the song choices feel too obvious.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) February 20, 2019
Love the cat, love Sam Jackson, LOVE Ben Mendelsohn, but honestly I’m calling Lashana Lynch as MVP. She brings an emotional weight to the film that is needed and transforms the entire movie upon arrival. Definitely need to see more of her#CaptainMarvel pic.twitter.com/QeEzUBM8O1
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) February 20, 2019
#CaptainMarvel is a welcome addition to the #MCU. The movie is really well done with some great moments. #benmendelsohn steals almost every scene he's in. @brielarson literally shines in the role. So ready for #AvengersEndGame pic.twitter.com/GET0socRjl
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) February 20, 2019
Fans of #CaptainMarvel comics are going to love the movie. Plain and simple.
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) February 20, 2019
Captain Marvel will open in theaters on March 8.
