By George Haerle

For Grays Harbor News Group

Brie Larson’s career is sure to explode after her portrayal of Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, which made her a new pop-culture feminist icon over this past weekend.

Comparisons will doubtlessly be made between the successes of “Captain Marvel” and 2017’s “Wonder Woman,” as both are pioneering the long-overdue rise of female-led superhero films.

Much like DC’s “Wonder Woman,” “Captain Marvel” is pretty much a success from start to finish. It’s not the best movie in the Marvel cinematic universe, but it stands out — particularly in style, fun factor and star power — from a large chunk of the (so far) 21-film pantheon.

Pulpy, fun popcorn movies are this critic’s bread and butter, but we all need a little variety. So something that can always be appreciated about Marvel films generally is that they are able to overcome any fatigue in their own market with fresh, new concepts. This is the most significant achievement of “Captain Marvel,” a ’90s throwback machine of nostalgia that is equal parts sci-fi adventure and superhero flick.

As an intergalactic warrior for the Kree alien race (or so she thinks) known as Vers, our title character is sent on a battle against another shapeshifting race known as the Skrulls. Eventually, crash-landing into the roof of a Blockbuster Video in 1995 Los Angeles, she’s found by a young Nick Fury, who joins her adventure to stop a Skrull invasion and discover the revelations of a previous life she may have had on Earth.

Thankfully, Brie Larson’s character is far more interesting and likable in the actual film than in the previews. Many of the teasers and trailers seemed to show this bland, monotone character who seems more reminiscent of a lame DC movie character. But Larson gives Carol/Vers/Marvel great personality, spunk and an indescribable twinkle in her eye that you can’t help but adore. And with some more time to shine in the next “Avengers” film as well as a probably guaranteed sequel, it’s very much likely she’ll be just as well-loved as Chris Evans’ Captain America in the future of this franchise.

Samuel L. Jackson is excellent as always, digitally de-aged by 30 years or so playing a younger version of his character. This looks so convincing, you could swear you are watching the same Sam Jackson from “Pulp Fiction” in 1994 (but without the Jheri Curl).

Jude Law plays Vers’ Kree superior officer, Yon-Rogg. Law is solid and does a decent job with the part, but as the movie pans out his character ends up being pretty basic and two-dimensional at best.

The MVP for the most fun character, however, goes to the antagonist: Skrull leader Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn). Though it may be hard to recognize him in his alien makeup, you’ll possibly remember him as the villains from both “Ready Player One” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Between this film and those, I’d say Mr. Mendelsohn deserves a lot more work. He can switch flawlessly between commanding and intriguing to hilariously blunt and physically expressive. Watching his character get fed up with a few moments of incompetence from his own crew is so perfectly cartoon-esque that it just adds a ton of fun and personality to the movie. This just tops off the ’90s atmosphere, complementing the charisma Larson and Jackson bring as the main headliners.

And of course, there are underlying themes of female empowerment. There’s undoubtedly a feminist heart to the movie, but Danvers’ gender never plays into any significant scene at all, aside from very brief flashbacks of a couple of sexist characters from her past. “Captain Marvel” otherwise lets its hero represent empowerment through actions and integrity; she is a strong and lovable hero who is nearly pure of heart and a beacon of self-confidence. The captain of this ship just happens to be a woman.

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“Captain Marvel” is currently playing at the Riverside Cinemas, 1017 S. Boone St. in Aberdeen.

George Haerle holds a bachelor’s degree in creative writing for media and lives in Cosmopolis.