Summer started early this year.

Captain Marvel brings the power of a summer blockbuster into late winter.  If this keeps up, Hollywood will have to redefine the term.  Last year fans were treated to the groundbreaking Black Panther and this year was the equally groundbreaking and equally spectacular Captain Marvel. Black Panther turned tradition on its head in so many eye-opening ways – not only proving that a good movie can be a hit at any time of the year, but showing the world that a film with featuring people of color could break barriers.  How many people were seen crossing their arms and shouting, “Wakanda Forever?!”

This year, Captain Marvel does the same for female superheroes.  Fans have been crying out loud for a Black Widow feature, Scarlett Johansson bringing it full force as the more than capable hero.  Even without powers, she holds her own with the rest of the Avengers.  But Marvel went a different route, featuring Brie Larson in the title role of a less widely-known female superhero (although Kelly Sue DeConnick really brought her into the mainstream in the comics).  And like the less widely-known Black Panther, Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) won the hearts of Marvel fans everywhere.  With a good script, good acting, amazing visual effects, well-timed humor, and many nods to Marvel lore everywhere, this film brings everything a Marvel Cinematic Universe fan could hope for – including a very nice lead-in to Avengers: Endgame.

Closing in at $1 billion in worldwide receipts in less than a month in wide release, Captain Marvel has found appeal internationally as well as domestically.  Carol Danvers is the kind of superhero that will inspire both girls and boys alike and Brie Larson plays her perfectly.  It was great to see Samuel L. Jackson play a younger Nick Fury and we see him before he became the eye patch wielding Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. we know from the first MCU films.  Because he is still a budding agent, Nick and Carol are on equal footing in a way no other superhero is.  Nick sees her as a fully competent equal and in many ways she is superior (she is not only more physically powerful, but more tech-saavy than Fury).  For this fan of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. it was a thrill to watch Clark Gregg back in the role as Agent Coulson.  And of course, all of the Marvel tie-ins like Ronan and Korath who were both seen in another hit franchise based on little-known characters – The Guardians of the Galaxy.

Directors Anna Bowden and Ryan Fleck not only guide this film with a steadfast and loving hand, but they also helped to write the screenplay.  The story is not only well done, but adds enough twists and turns to make it seem like it’s going one way, only to be turned on a dime at a moments notice.  They have crafted a film that does much more than tell an action-adventure, special effects laden movie.  They have crafted a story that will resonate with young girls (and women) as much as young boys and gives women of all ages something to aspire to and look up to.  My daughter loved the film, often cheering when Captain Marvel did or said something inspiring.  Carol is a character with intelligence, spunk, fire, passion, grit, and determination. And who doesn’t wear a skimpy outfit.

If you haven’t already seen this film, make sure you head over to the theater.  This is a movie you’ll want to see on the big screen!