Captain Marvel is everything you hope it will be, and so much more. I was lucky enough to catch the film’s Thursday night premiere, and the theater was packed with enthusiastic fans like me who have been anticipating it since its announcement. The audience was filled with people of all ages; cheering, laughing, and pointing excitedly toward the screen as they made connections or saw their favorite characters. The plot is easy to follow, without being over-simplified. It unfolds in a unique way that keeps suspense and excitement-levels high the entire time. The movie isn’t too predictable, but it also isn’t so unpredictable that the story gets lost or interest decreases. Die-hard Marvel fans can appreciate the connections to the cinematic universe, and the added back stories of some beloved characters like Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg); however, the movie is grounded enough in itself that more casual fans will still be able to enjoy it without any confusion, even if a few references don’t land. 

Not only does the film set up significant storylines within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it also explores important real-world issues. The movie’s hero, Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), faces many incidents of sexism as she recalls her time in the air force when women weren’t allowed to take on important roles, in addition to facing degrading comments and ridicule for being “too emotional”. She defies expectations and proves that she is not a hero despite being a woman, but simply a woman who is a hero. The topic is explored in a way that acknowledges its importance, while still allowing the film to be generally lighthearted and triumphant. Overall, Captain Marvel is an incredibly well-done movie that I believe a variety of audiences will enjoy. And trust me, the end-credit scenes are definitely worth waiting for.