Review: Captain Marvel

I finally got around to watching Captain Marvel this weekend, and I must say I found it surprisingly entertaining and funny. At this point, I’ve become so vested in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that I can’t get enough of it. I’m pretty sure the overriding reason for it is the familiarity of the characters and how interconnected they are — especially as we get ready for Avengers: Endgame. This film, set in the 90s, introduces us to Carol Danvers, Captain Marvel, who will come back in the present for Endgame.

I admit that Captain Marvel wasn’t one of the characters I was drawn to as a kid, so I was curious about this film, and how it would not only contribute to the ongoing saga with the Infinity War plot, but on a more personal level, how this character would fit into the model of virtues I have been discussing regarding the Superheroes since the publication of my book, Super Girls and Halos: My Companions on the Quest for Truth, Justice, and Heroic Virtue.

As I watched the film, I paid close attention to Carol Danvers, and the virtue she exhibited. She led with her heart instead of her head, and that got her into trouble early in the film. Without giving away too many spoilers so early in the film’s release, I will say that quality, initially seen as a weakness, ultimately saves her, and of course, on the grand scale, the earth. As an “Avenger” she demonstrates justice — giving (and getting) what is due.

But here I have to depart from the model in my book — rather than find a Saint that exhibits this virtue in a holy way, I want to talk about grace.

When we first see Captain Marvel, she is in training as a Kree warrior. Her mentor tells her that she is becoming the best version of herself possible.

Isn’t that what we all aspire to?

Fast forward through crash landings on earth, surprise twists, and the realization that her trusted mentor is actually her enemy, and Captain Marvel must face the limitations of her humanity — and the amazing gift of superpowers.

Her mentor tells her early in the film that these powers are an unearned gift, given to her by the Kree. I immediately thought that grace functions the same way. We don’t do anything to earn it, we receive it as a gift from God.

I like that this idea is somehow an implicit part of this character. Captain Marvel recognizes that she is a work in progress, if not moving toward holiness, at least moving toward the best person she can be. We, too, are moving toward this perfection, but we can’t do it alone. The gift of grace, however, unites us to God in an intimate way that helps prepare us for our best, holiest, sanctified selves for heaven.