‘Captain Marvel’ rises to the challenge — and soars

After 20 films featuring superheroes wearing iron suits or slinging webs, Marvel Studios has finally produced what its cinematic universe has been needing: a female superhero starring as the lead in her own film.

While many fans have already had varying reactions to this prospect even before seeing the movie, “Captain Marvel” has all the ingredients that make Marvel films so good: superbly choreographed action scenes, a well-constructed narrative fitting well within the twists and turns of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and, of course, emotional scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, “Captain Marvel” is set in 1995 and predates almost all of the action that happens in the other MCU films. Carol Danvers (Academy Award winner Brie Larson) has no memory of her past and finds herself caught in a war that spans planets. On a mission on Earth, she finds herself working with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), a character very familiar to all Marvel fans.

On her mission, she uncovers not only secrets about the war she was made to fight in, but also about her identity and her role in the grand scheme of things.

Of course, "Captain Marvel" is a must-watch not just for all of these things, but also because it answers some questions viewers may have had after watching "Avengers: Infinity War." (It will also answer the question of how Nick Fury lost his eye.)

Carol Danvers—not yet identified as Captain Marvel in the movie—proves to be one of the most powerful superheroes yet, in a movie that has the quality of reflecting real-life problems: deceit, lies, and the struggle of innocents to simply find a safe haven for themselves and their loved ones.

Many girls and women will probably be able to identify with some of the everyday things Carol has had to deal with in her life. However, "Captain Marvel" is for everyone who has been limited, restrained, and said "no" to a million times simply because of who they are—and, despite the odds, rising to the challenge and not backing down.

Simply put, "Captain Marvel" is a portrayal of a character defined by strength, fierceness, integrity and empowerment.

It is a gift not just for Marvel fans, but for every little girl who dreams of becoming her own kind of superhero someday. No longer will they need to find female versions of Iron Man, Spider-Man or Thor.

All they have to do now is watch "Captain Marvel." — BM, GMA News

"Captain Marvel" is now showing in Philippine cinemas.