Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Powerful female superhero story has some violence, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Captain Marvel
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 110 parent reviews
Based on 220 kid reviews
Kids say this movie features a strong female lead and promotes positive messages about empowerment and perseverance, making it a good choice for family viewing. However, some viewers found the plot unengaging and criticized its slow pacing, while others appreciated the humor and visual effects but noted that it wasn't among the best in the franchise.
- strong female lead
- positive messages
- mixed reviews
- humor and visuals
- family-friendly fun
- slow pacing
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
CAPTAIN MARVEL's origin story begins as Kree warrior Vers (Brie Larson) visits Earth on a mission to stop a shape-shifting alien infiltration. She teams up with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to save the planet from a war between two alien races. As she regains lost memories, she realizes the extent of her own powers and develops into the universe's most powerful superhero.
Is It Any Good?
This superhero flick is basic but still engrossing, enthralling, and rewarding on many levels, just one of which is seeing Marvel's first female superhero get her own movie. Captain Marvel is fairly paint-by-the-numbers, but that doesn't lessen its powerful impact. It's an Avengers origin story, as well as the story of Captain Marvel herself, which doubles the glee, especially in the introduction of a young Nick Fury. Captain Marvel has Captain America-level humor, while keeping the themes simple and the action frequent. One of the Avengers franchise's strongest story elements has been encouraging audiences to look at a situation from multiple perspectives -- this film continues in that tradition by embracing a perspective shift.
Carol Danvers is a great heroine: She's Katniss Everdeen without the self-doubt, Wonder Woman without the sexualization, and Black Widow without the moral conflicts. With an everywoman charm, Larson quickly convinces viewers that she's the right woman to be Marvel's most powerful superhero: Kids everywhere can see themselves in her.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about women's roles in comics and superhero films. What makes Carol Danvers a role model in Captain Marvel? How does she compare to other female superheroes? How is she portrayed compared to other Avengers?
Captain Marvel stands out among Avengers movies (and most superhero movies) in that women hold significant filmmaker roles: writing, directing, producing, and editing. Why is it important that women have a hand in making big, popular movies? What's a potential consequence when men tell a story about women? What's the potential consequence when the majority of films come only from one gender?
How does Captain Marvel embody courage, perseverance, and integrity? Why are those important character strengths? Even though she's powerful enough to be a one-woman show, why do you think she still invites teamwork?
How does Carol's perspective change on the war she's fighting for the Kree? Do you think "bad guys" think they're bad? How do you determine what's right?
What do you think about the way superhero movies depict violence? Is there a difference in the way you react to realistic violence vs. stylized violence? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 8, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : June 11, 2019
- Cast : Brie Larson , Samuel L. Jackson , Jude Law
- Directors : Anna Boden , Ryan Fleck
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive language
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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