Marvel Studios: “We make good sausages”
Cue Comicgate Hate…
Higher, Further, Faster…
This movie is for all the women and girls who “fall down seven times and get up eight”, which, is every woman and girl I’ve ever known.
Her initially stern demeanor or expertise wouldn’t raise an eyebrow in a male protagonist in similar situations, which is the point of the whole affair. I’ve read ridiculous criticism of Larson’s performance and Danvers character arc. What do you call a fictional character who is depicted as lacking flaws or weaknesses? If it’s a man? Bond, James Bond. If it’s a woman? Mary, Mary Sue.
“Everyone we met in the Air Force was so selfless and giving to our process, and I was really impressed,” he said. “We couldn’t necessarily figure out what an intergalactic space warrior was up to, but we could come to the Air Force and see what it was like to be a pilot. Every detail, every phase of the process was huge, not only for us in the writing, but for Brie as well when she is playing the character … from how she held her helmet to how she walks.”
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The Air Force’s involvement also impacted character development and story lines. In December 2017, Larson, Boden, Fleck and producer Jonathan Schwartz visited Nellis AFB, Nevada, and spent one-on-one time with Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, Air Force Recruiting Service Commander and the Air Force’s first female fighter pilot.
“We put Brie Larson in the backseat of an F-16 (Fighting Falcon) so she could experience being in a high performance fighter aircraft firsthand. I think that helped her understand what it was like, I appreciated the fact that they wanted to get the characters to be an accurate portrayal of a female fighter pilot in the Air Force.” -Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt,
The big theme of Captain Marvel is Carol’s struggle against those who wish to delegitimize, redefine, marginalize or break her at every turn her whole life and Carol refusing to be cowed by them. As she regains her lost humanity and uncovers the truth about the War, the truth strengthens her, it doesn’t diminish her.
She get’s separated from her unit. Crash lands on a backwater planet (earth), goes on an adventure with an ally (Nick Fury) while discovering just who and what she really is, in a decisive crisis wins a victory, and then is transformed. This is classic Campbell’s Heroes Journey.
If you are a man and feel the misogyny displayed against Carol in this film is off-putting? Fuck your feelings. It’s not about you sport.
Imagine how your wife, mother, daughter, female friends or colleagues must feel being the target of that bullshit every day. Carol Danvers ate what she killed. Nobody gave her anything. She fought tooth & nail for it and the hottest fire makes the strongest steel. So no, she’s not gonna smile for you.
The lesson I took from Captain Marvel as a man and as a father watching next to my nine year old daughter. is to NEVER undermine her confidence in her ability, unconsciously or otherwise with my misogynist cultural baggage. The world will try to break her down. I’ve got one job. To build her back up. Look at myself and reflect daily upon how I may add to misogynist culture with the choices I make. To walk my talk as a male actively-in-allegiance with women, and be the change I want to see in the world. That’s not weakness, that’s maturity.
But, let’s not get it twisted Marvel.
It took you guys 20 films and 10 years to get here. Slow your roll Marvel Studios. You’ve got a long way to go yet. Stay humble.
Is Captain Marvel the best Marvel Movie I have ever seen? NO. That distinction would go to Black Panther. However, Captain Marvel shares some similarities between a franchise that produced my second favorite Marvel Studios Film, Captain America:The Winter Soldier.