--- title: "Captain Marvel" year: 2019 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/captain-marvel" fi1m_score: 60 critics_score: 64 critics_reviews: 24 published: "2026-09-19T12:16:11.948475+00:00" updated: "2026-09-19T12:16:20.350919+00:00" region: "US" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Captain Marvel (2019) Directed by Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden · 2h 04m · MPA PG-13 · Action, Adventure, Science Fiction **Fi1m score: 60** · Critics 64 from 24 reviews *In a sentence:* Our hero punches an old lady on a commuter train and it is the best joke in the film > Boden and Fleck’s superhero film is good company for its middle hour, when it is a buddy comedy set in 1995 and Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson are allowed to talk. It begins in a muddle and ends in a light show. ## Synopsis Hala, capital of the Kree empire. Vers (Brie Larson), a Starforce soldier, wakes from dreams of a life she cannot remember and a woman she does not know. Her commander Yon-Rogg (Jude Law) trains her to keep her emotions down and the energy in her fists under control, and the Supreme Intelligence (Annette Bening) wears the face from her dreams. A mission against the Skrulls, shape-shifters at war with the Kree, is an ambush; Vers is captured by Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), who searches her memories, then escapes and crash-lands through the roof of a video shop in Los Angeles in 1995. There she meets a SHIELD agent called Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), and together they chase a name from her fragments: Wendy Lawson. ## Review Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck made [*Half Nelson*](https://film.one/film/half-nelson) (2006), a small film about a teacher with a drug habit and a pupil who finds out. Handed the first Marvel film built around a woman, they have done the sensible thing and made a small film anyway, for as long as they were allowed to. For an hour in the middle *Captain Marvel* is two people in a car, a diner and a records room in 1995, working out who one of them is, and that hour is good. The half hour before it and the half hour after it are not. It begins on Hala, the Kree capital, where a soldier called Vers (Brie Larson) wakes from a dream she cannot place and goes to spar with her commander Yon-Rogg (Jude Law), who tells her to control her emotions. Ben Davis shoots the planet in the franchise’s standard blue-grey, and Andy Nicholson’s sets are corridors and a training floor that could belong to any of a dozen films. Editors Debbie Berman and Elliot Graham cut her buried memories as flashes, a cockpit, a bar, a woman’s face, and the flashes are so brief and so alike that for twenty minutes we could not tell what we were meant to be piecing together. Then a mission against the shape-shifting Skrulls goes wrong, Vers is captured, escapes, and falls through the roof of a video shop in Los Angeles. That is when the film wakes up. Samuel L. Jackson, digitally shaved of a quarter of a century, plays Nick Fury as a man who has not yet seen anything strange and is enjoying the novelty. Larson plays Vers dry rather than warm: she asks questions the way a police officer does, and she does not smile until she has decided to. Together they make a proper two-hander, and the film’s best joke belongs to it, on a commuter train, when Vers spots a Skrull disguised as an elderly woman and hits her before anyone can object. We laughed out loud, and so did the rest of the cinema, and it is the last time the film is that quick. Ben Mendelsohn is the other pleasure. His Talos is a green, lizard-faced alien with an Australian accent and the manner of a middle manager who has had a long week, and Mendelsohn plays the make-up rather than fighting it. Lashana Lynch, as the pilot Maria Rambeau, has one scene at a Louisiana kitchen table in which she tells a woman who she used to be, and Larson does her best listening of the film opposite her. The Kree, by contrast, are wasted. Annette Bening is on hand mostly to be mysterious, Gemma Chan gets a rifle and two lines, and Djimon Hounsou and Lee Pace appear because they were in [*Guardians of the Galaxy*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy) (2014) and have to be somewhere. Then the film goes back into space and becomes what it had spent an hour avoiding. Sanja Milkovic Hays’s red-and-blue suit arrives, and it is a good suit; the rest is ships, beams and a woman glowing at things while Pinar Toprak’s brass swells to tell us it is a big moment. We checked the running time twice in the last twenty minutes. There is one exception, a short passage about a girl getting up off the ground that we will not describe, and it moved us more than the rest of the film had prepared us to be moved. It lasts a minute. The fireworks resume. Five writers share the story credit, Nicole Perlman and Meg LeFauve alongside Boden, Fleck and Geneva Robertson-Dworet, and it shows. The Kree-Skrull war, the memory mystery and the 1995 buddy picture take turns rather than adding up. Perlman’s *Guardians of the Galaxy* got away with the same clutter by being cheerful and in a hurry; this is more solemn about its identity plot, and an identity plot needs to be either clear or quick, and this is neither. Watch it at home, where the light show is smaller and the talk lands better. It runs 124 minutes and carries a 12A. Yon-Rogg spends the film telling Vers to keep her feelings in check, and the film’s reply is a hero who is allowed to smirk. We would have liked to see what Larson could do if it had let her feel a little more. *Fi1m score 60, published 19 September 2026.* ## What the critics say Most critics like Captain Marvel without being swept away by it. Fifteen of the twenty-four reviews are positive, and the praise gathers almost entirely around Brie Larson, credited with a breezy, physical, down-to-earth performance that carries the film through its thinner stretches. Her scenes with Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury are the next most-cited pleasure, followed by the 1990s setting and soundtrack, and several reviews welcome the modest scale Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck bring to a Marvel origin story. The reservations are about the story around her. Many find the origin formula followed too closely, the opening slow and overloaded with setup, the space-opera backstory confusing and the action either messy or generic. The spread is wide: four reviews place it among the weakest recent Marvel films, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it the least of them and The Times going further to find Larson herself lifeless, a view almost nobody else shares. ### Reviews we read (24) - **Total Film** (90/100, inferred): The review praises the film for more than living up to its name and brand, highlighting its strengths as a superhero origin story. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/captain-marvel-review/) - **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (85/100, inferred): The critic says the film is actually good and boosts the MCU, crediting Larson and the directors for making it work despite its pre-sold nature. He singles out Larson's embodiment of the character's strength, humanity, and joy in her powers. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-captain-marvel-review-20190305-story.html) - **Variety** (80/100, inferred): The critic says Larson lights up the film as the Kree warrior discovering her true self, delivering a rousing journey. He singles out the climactic battle and her harnessing of inner power as spectacular highlights in an otherwise standard Marvel entry. [Read](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/captain-marvel-review-brie-larson-samuel-l-jackson-1203154542/) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (75/100, inferred): The critic finds this an engaging and sometimes oddly quirky superhero origin story from directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, with a nonlinear mashup of tones and timelines. Brie Larson's fierce central performance is singled out for praise, though the film could have given her more witty lines and clearer martial-arts focus. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/mar/05/captain-marvel-review-brie-larson-samuel-l-jackson) - **Empire**, Helen O'Hara (70/100, inferred): The film is a bold, unconventional origin story that avoids pandering and emphasizes Carol Danvers' toughness and feminist themes. It starts slowly with too much setup but delivers a satisfying, radical final act and strong buddy elements with Nick Fury. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/captain-marvel-review/) - **Evening Standard**, Matthew Norman (70/100, inferred): The low-key, skilful debut tells the origin story effectively while setting up future events, with a strong '90s vibe and naturalistic performance from Larson. It favors restraint and delivers a powerful message of self-empowerment through Carol's journey. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/captain-marvel-review-watch-out-captain-america-theres-a-new-boss-in-town-a4086096.html) - **Screen Daily** (70/100, inferred): The review describes the film as fun and breezy but familiar, a solid franchise addition with charming modesty that focuses on identity and empowerment. Brie Larson's performance and the directors' small-scale approach are highlighted as strengths amid 90s nostalgia elements. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/captain-marvel-review/5137399.article) - **Sight and Sound**, Kim Newman (70/100, inferred): The critic finds charm in Carol Danvers' reunion with Earth friends and her refusal to be defined by men, alongside effective 90s nostalgia and solid space battles that keep the film in the game. It is presented as a modest but positive addition to the MCU that leans on its lead's rapport with supporting figures. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/captain-marvel-review-90s-nostalgia-grounds-marvels-cosmic-drifter) - **The New York Times**, A.O. Scott (70/100, inferred): The critic calls it pretty good fun as an origin story that benefits from a strong cast and avoids being overly self-important. He singles out the lead performance and '90s elements for making Carol Danvers' identity crisis engaging, though the film ultimately feels formulaic. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/05/movies/captain-marvel-review.html) - **Vulture**, David Edelstein (70/100, inferred): The movie is spotty but worth seeing for Brie Larson’s breezy, buoyant performance as a relatable down-to-earth woman whose power is extraordinary. It improves after a weak start and features strong moments with the lead at full strength. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/movie-review-captain-marvel-2019.html) - **The New Yorker**, Anthony Lane (65/100, inferred): The critic finds the action derivative and backstory confounding but praises Brie Larson for carrying the film with resourcefulness and wit. He singles out her joyful, physical performance in the action sequences as the main highlight. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/03/18/captain-marvel-saves-a-movie) - **Film Comment**, Michael Sragow (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film confusing and labored compared to other Marvel entries like Ant-Man and the Wasp. It lacks a unifying vision and charismatic lead performance despite some strong supporting turns and period details. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/deep-focus-captain-marvel/) - **IndieWire**, David Ehrlich (30/100, inferred): Brie Larson has the right stuff but cannot save this generic Avengers prequel, which ranks among the most disappointing Marvel movies. The origin story as a head game makes for a savvier fantasy than Wonder Woman in places. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/captain-marvel-review-1202048795/) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (30/100, inferred): The film is the least of recent Marvel productions: mundane with unimaginative plotting, cut-rate villains, and a bland visual style. It fails to do for women what Black Panther did for Black representation, though Brie Larson delivers a focused, solid performance as the lead. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/captain-marvel-review-1192277/) - **The Times**, Kevin Maher (★★☆☆☆): The critic calls this a bland and incoherent first female-led Marvel film with messy action and plastic digital effects on Samuel L Jackson. Brie Larson's lifeless lead performance is singled out for complaint. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/film-review-captain-marvel-xf76kpshx) - **HeyUGuys**, Scott Davis (4/5): The film is a complete triumph that introduces a bright new light to the MCU with wit, spectacle and a sense of wonder. It subverts expected origin story beats enough to feel fresh while delivering strong performances, especially from Ben Mendelsohn. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/captain-marvel-review/) - **Polygon**, Susana Polo (80/100, inferred): The review praises how Captain Marvel effectively uses the Marvel origin story formula with strong character development and casting, highlighting the film's self-discovery narrative and the standout chemistry and humor from Brie Larson. It singles out the electric moment when the hero comes into her own and the relatable themes presented sideways. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/2019/3/5/18246829/captain-marvel-review/) - **The Wrap**, April Wolfe (75/100, inferred): The film is an obvious but enjoyable origin story that leans heavily into female empowerment and 90s nostalgia. The critic singles out Brie Larson's playful and confident performance, along with a standout emotional scene of sisterhood. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/captain-marvel-film-review-brie-larson-avengers-mcu/) - **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (B-): The critic finds the film succeeds in making the audience root for the lead character thanks to Brie Larson's performance, but criticizes the origin story's lack of imagination and the film's visual and narrative shortcomings. Praises the buddy dynamic with Fury and the character's personality. [Read](https://collider.com/captain-marvel-review/) - **/Film**, Hoai-Tran Bui (7/10): Captain Marvel makes a solid landing as a fun, brisk and engaging film within the Marvel formula, with fantastic performances from the cast—especially Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson—rescuing it from generic origin story territory. It is empowering even if it falls short of being a powerful feminist statement. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/564739/captain-marvel-review/) - **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (60/100, inferred): The film marks a cultural milestone as Marvel's first female-led solo movie but feels familiar and uneven compared to recent genre standouts like Black Panther. The critic highlights Brie Larson's strong presence while noting the story is too scattered and lacks the same impact. [Read](https://deadline.com/video/captain-marvel-review-brie-larson-is-marvels-first-female-lead-superhero-but-why-is-it-so-familiar/) - **Den of Geek** (3/5): Captain Marvel is a decent mid-tier superhero romp with uplifting female messaging and a strong 90s soundtrack and cast, but it falls short of expectations as a trailblazing origin story. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/captain-marvel-review-a-fun-but-flawed-origin-tale/) - **Digital Spy**, Hugh Armitage (60/100, inferred): The film is a consistently fun and quality MCU installment with great chemistry between Larson and Jackson, but it plays things safe and conventional rather than delivering a landmark event. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a26622222/captain-marvel-review/) - **The Skinny**, Jamie Dunn (★★★): Brie Larson shines with wise-cracking and the 90s soundtrack helps keep it watchable, but the film veers into confusing space opera and weak, generic action especially in the third act. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/captain-marvel-brie-larson-samuel-l-jackson) ## Details - **Director:** Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden - **Director:** Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden - **Screenplay:** Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden - **Story:** Meg LeFauve, Ryan Fleck, Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Anna Boden, Nicole Perlman - **Cinematography:** Ben Davis - **Editor:** Elliot Graham, Debbie Berman - **Music:** Pinar Toprak - **Production design:** Andy Nicholson - **Costume design:** Sanja Milkovic Hays - **Producer:** Kevin Feige - **Cast:** Brie Larson as Carol Danvers / Vers / Captain Marvel; Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury; Ben Mendelsohn as Talos / Keller; Jude Law as Yon-Rogg; Annette Bening as Supreme Intelligence / Dr. Wendy Lawson; Djimon Hounsou as Korath; Lee Pace as Ronan; Lashana Lynch as Maria Rambeau - **Runtime:** 2h 04m - **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13 - **Release (the US):** 8 March 2019 - **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Science Fiction - **Budget:** $152 million - **Box office:** $1.13 billion - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX33bIOA5aA ## Where to watch in the US - Disney+: streaming, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd - Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $19.99, uhd - Apple TV: buy $19.99, hd *Checked 2026-09-19.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## Awards - Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie 2020: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie (nominated) ## If you liked this - *The Long Kiss Goodnight* (1996): Geena Davis forgets she was a killer; the amnesia plot done fast and nasty. - *Starman* (1984): An alien on the American road with a human guide, gentler and stranger. - *Wonder Woman* (2017): The other woman-led superhero origin, with one battlefield scene this film never matches. - *Half Nelson* (2006), Fi1m 81: Boden and Fleck without a budget, and a reminder of what they do well. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/half-nelson.md) - *Under the Skin* (2013): A woman from elsewhere learning what she is, in Glasgow, with no jokes at all. --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/captain-marvel