--- title: "Captain Marvel: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/captain-marvel/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/captain-marvel" critics_score: 64 critics_reviews: 24 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): what the critics said Critics' score 64 from 24 reviews: 15 positive, 5 mixed, 4 negative. 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. ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. The review praises the film for more than living up to its name and brand, highlighting its strengths as a superhero origin story. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/captain-marvel-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-captain-marvel-review-20190305-story.html) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/captain-marvel-review-brie-larson-samuel-l-jackson-1203154542/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/mar/05/captain-marvel-review-brie-larson-samuel-l-jackson) ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/captain-marvel-review/) ## Evening Standard — Matthew Norman Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/captain-marvel-review-watch-out-captain-america-theres-a-new-boss-in-town-a4086096.html) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/captain-marvel-review/5137399.article) ## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 March 2019. 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 the review](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 Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/05/movies/captain-marvel-review.html) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/movie-review-captain-marvel-2019.html) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 8 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/03/18/captain-marvel-saves-a-movie) ## Film Comment — Michael Sragow Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 8 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/deep-focus-captain-marvel/) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/captain-marvel-review-1202048795/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/captain-marvel-review-1192277/) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★☆☆☆. 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/film-review-captain-marvel-xf76kpshx) ## HeyUGuys — Scott Davis Rating 4/5. 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/captain-marvel-review/) ## Polygon — Susana Polo Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.polygon.com/2019/3/5/18246829/captain-marvel-review/) ## The Wrap — April Wolfe Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.thewrap.com/captain-marvel-film-review-brie-larson-avengers-mcu/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B-. 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://collider.com/captain-marvel-review/) ## /Film — Hoai-Tran Bui Rating 7/10. 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/564739/captain-marvel-review/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 5 March 2019. 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 the review](https://deadline.com/video/captain-marvel-review-brie-larson-is-marvels-first-female-lead-superhero-but-why-is-it-so-familiar/) ## Den of Geek Rating 3/5. 8 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/captain-marvel-review-a-fun-but-flawed-origin-tale/) ## Digital Spy — Hugh Armitage Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 8 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a26622222/captain-marvel-review/) ## The Skinny — Jamie Dunn Rating ★★★. 8 March 2019. 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 the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/captain-marvel-brie-larson-samuel-l-jackson) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/captain-marvel.md