Captain Marvel (2019) ✦ Full-Length Watchalong Reaction
Added 2023-07-19 23:10:23 +0000 UTCHey all! Last movie before Endgame, let's goooo. Looking forward to chatting about this one because when I was looking up Letterboxd reviews to put in the edited review, people seemed very split on this! Also please forgive my utter confusion for the first like 60% of this movie lmfao, it all made sense to me in the end! 😂 [Direct link here.]
Cheers,
✦ KL
Comments
That is a very cool fact! Thanks for sharing.
kaiielle
2023-07-23 03:31:43 +0000 UTCOoh I know a fun fact about this movie that no one has mentioned yet! The security guard (who points out the Radio Shack to Carol), is portrayed by Barry Curtis, the actual Head of Security at Marvel Studios. From what I heard, casting/auditioning him started off as an inside joke, and then he did such a good job that they just ran with it. 😅 Head of Security of Marvel Studios is a weird job, because it's really two wildly different halves. One half is managing the standard building- and on-set/-site security. The other is NSA-level type secrecy management, as any leaks/spoilers must be avoided at all costs.
Onno Smits
2023-07-22 22:41:32 +0000 UTCThis isn't true. When I was done watching the movie, I read a couple articles online that detailed all the VFX work that went into de-aging Sam. It was an extensive process because he's in the movie so much! A lot more work than de-aging Coulson and also de-aging Robert Downey Jr from Civil War.
kaiielle
2023-07-22 17:52:18 +0000 UTCThe reason you can't pick up that Samuel Jackson has been de-aged is because he wasn't - they achieved it all with makeup
John W Foster
2023-07-22 17:39:02 +0000 UTCYeah I'm gonna miss a couple things here and there as it can be tricky to figure out when to talk when I'm watching something I've never seen. Especially from an editing perspective as I gotta have enough chatter in it to be able to get it on YouTube with Fair Use. 🫠 Sorry that it's annoying, but it is what it is and this happens with most reactors. I appreciate you watching with me and I'm glad you found it more enjoyable as a result of that! 😊
kaiielle
2023-07-21 16:40:57 +0000 UTCI thoroughly enjoyed re-watching CM with you. It was not a favorite of mine when I first saw it in the theater. Maybe it was "gee I have to watch this to get to Endgame", I don't know but it improved immensely in my estimation this time. I enjoyed your reaction (though I was annoyed when you were talking in the morgue scene and seemed to miss that initial reveal that Keller was a Skrull). Thanks for making CM ⚡a more enjoyable MCU movie for me. I think it will become a movie, like Age of Ultron, that I re-watch because I see it with new eyes thanks to a reactor viewing.😉
Ralph Quintana (@mrcapra)
2023-07-21 16:23:48 +0000 UTCI never really understood the mary sue complaints about Carol. At this point in her life she's had her powers and been learning to control them for six years. Sure she unlocks them for the finale and gets a huge "glow up" (pun intended), but we've already seen her use her photon blasts briefly for maneuvering and defense as well as offense. Plus during the fight after getting her full powers we see her struggling and learning. If Carol is a mary sue then it seems to me so are Captain America, Spiderman, Wanda and Pietro and I'm sure several others that are never associated with that label. Or I may just not understand the full meaning of the term. Which is totally plausible.
Marty McGee
2023-07-21 07:38:01 +0000 UTCI love this movie
Absher
2023-07-21 00:32:01 +0000 UTCWow, thanks so much for taking the time to write ALL of this! I really enjoyed reading it and agree with you on a lot of things. Thanks for noting the female artists/bands as well. I really do appreciate the female strong movie and it's a nice break from always having [mostly] men at the forefront of these films.
kaiielle
2023-07-20 20:19:07 +0000 UTCI love it when a reactor watches this movie almost completely unaware of who Captain Marvel is, and has very little knowledge about the amount of hate this movie, character, and actress have received over the years. FANTASTIC non biased reaction and commentary once again 👏👏👏 Captain Marvel is in my top 10 for the MCU so far. I really enjoyed the layers of things not always being what they appear to be in this movie and how it made you question everything, even the “cat” 😆 The structure of this movie can make it not as enjoyable on a first watch as it is on repeat viewings when you can focus more on the details instead of trying to figure out who, what, where, when, and why all at the same time in a rapid cluster of flashes and scenes. Personally, I thought they executed putting the audience in Carol’s confused headspace just about as effectively as they could have while still trying to maintain the more lighthearted buddy movie tone they were going for. This movie is far from perfect, Carol as a character, is far from perfect, and I can see how they may have failed at nailing every aspect of what they were going for with this movie, and how that can turn some people off. I thought it was a great observation on your part when you mentioned that Carol may not have even thought she was stealing when she stole the motorcycle and clothes. It would make sense, since she wasn’t accustomed to the ways of Earth and humans at that point, or she didn’t remember that she was. The MCU does love it’s brainwashing. I have heard some people try and use that scene as justification for not liking the movie, character, and actress. Claiming that heroes don’t beat people up and steal their belongings, because that’s exactly how it happened in the movie, right?🙄 There is valid criticism to be voiced about this movie in regards to some of the writing, directing, and maybe even acting choices. Personally, I enjoyed all of the performances, and thought the cast had good chemistry, especially Brie and Sam, and the 90’s background was awesome. The music alone was enough to make for an enjoyable experience. I enjoyed that majority of the songs used in this, were either performed by a solo female artist, a group of female artists, or a band that featured a female lead singer, it was a nice touch for the first female lead MCU movie. It was wrong that Natasha didn’t get to be the first female character to lead a “solo” movie in the MCU and be incredibly powerful to boot. That was another reason that some people used to justify their hatred and bashing of this movie, character, and actress. Carol and by extension Brie, hadn’t “earned” that kind of preferential treatment and power yet. It didn’t matter that the actors, writers, director, etc… had no control of what characters were chosen for solo movies and the order in which the movies are produced and released for public viewing. And from the little knowledge I have about Carol, she was just as powerful in the comics as she is in the MCU. Full disclosure, I only know one storyline that features Carol heavily from before she was introduced in the MCU. That storyline wasn’t addressed in this movie, so I could be overstating her comic power level vs. her MCU power level. Unfortunately, it is the amount of unwarranted criticism, and in some cases, completely unfounded criticism, that took over the majority of the conversations surrounding this movie, character, and actress. My understanding is that Brie Larson didn’t “sugarcoat” some of her thoughts and feelings that she expressed publicly about who she considered the target audience is for some of her movies. That if you aren’t part of that target audience, your opinion doesn’t matter as much to her, because the movie in question wasn’t made for you anyway. I can understand how that would turn people off in a big way, and of course the more she tried to explain herself, the worse it got. People were actually parroting the motorcycle guy in this movie, and saying she needed to “lighten up and smile more” again regardless of the fact that from almost the beginning of the movie, almost everyone in her life was telling her to not show emotion and maintain control in order to gaslight her and keep her an unaware prisoner to be used as a weapon. Carol and Bucky could have bonded over being brainwashed if he still existed 😔 It always seemed to me that Brie understood the acting assignment for this character very well. Especially given the time period. Maria even states that women weren’t being allowed to fly in combat missions at the time Carol disappeared in 1989. In the U.S. that is historically accurate, it wasn’t until 1993 that women were allowed to fly in combat missions in the United States Air Force. A woman navigating a male dominated profession in the 80’s might just have to act “tougher” and not show emotion in order to be accepted by her male peers. Tough guys and soldiers aren’t supposed to smile or show emotion, or at least that was the general social consensus, especially in the much less progressive 80’s and early 90’s. Just the other day, in 2023, a coworker told me I should smile more, when I didn’t laugh at their joke because I didn’t find funny and I have a serious case of RBF, which can be off putting if you don’t know me very well. So, I guess I am part of the target audience 🤷♀️ no wonder I really enjoy this movie and character 😜😁 I am especially looking forward to your thoughts about this one after the edit is done!!!
CheshireKat528
2023-07-20 17:39:43 +0000 UTCI'm realizing that someone on YouTube spoiled the Stan Lee cameo for me in this movie and also spoiled that Stan Lee cameos in Mallrats. 😂 A month ago they left a comment on my Doctor Strange reaction and said "Woah, they changed the Stan Lee cameo. In the original version, he's reading a copy of Kevin Smith's Mallrats script (in which he cameoed)." I just went and dug it up so I could reply to them and say that the cameo they described is in this movie. 😅
kaiielle
2023-07-20 16:27:12 +0000 UTCI'm glad y'all are telling me about this prior to it going on YouTube cause I feel like I can expect a bit more problematic comments over there than normal. I'll be on the lookout for the ones that are respectful (like y'all have been) versus ones that are just trying to stir up a bad debate or being mean just to be mean.
kaiielle
2023-07-20 16:23:38 +0000 UTCI can totally understand that opinion about Carol. I personally don't think she's boring because there are plenty of women in the world who don't have a ton of different facial expressions and can appear indifferent or act serious all the time. Hell, catch me on my own time outside of being on camera for you all for these reactions and gaming playthroughs and what have you and I'm definitely a pretty boring cardboard cut-out. 😂 Often when I'm with family or friends, I'm asked if I'm enjoying myself because I look like I'm not, even though I am! I've also seen this exact same portrayal in male superheroes and it doesn't get that same criticism. So maybe men are okay with men acting this way, but not women? Should there be a difference? I don't know! To me, Carol just seemed very determined and I think that showed in the acting. Obviously if you prefer to watch a more engaging lead in a superhero film, then this character doesn't fit that and that's a-okay! It's good to have preferences. I'm glad that I've had a lot of time to understand the "problems" with this film from you all, because I feel like I can expect to see a bit more problems in the YouTube comments compared to normal, so I'll be watching closely and deleting nonsense. Thanks for watching with me! 😊
kaiielle
2023-07-20 16:21:52 +0000 UTCI had fun with this movie, but personally Carol's character is just poorly written and directed. Brie holds the same facial expression and speech pattern constantly, and it just makes her character come off as this boring cardboard cut-out. I think Brie can be a really fun, charasmatic actress. I just think the writing and direction really didn't work for her. The hate around this movie is really toxic both ways. The sexist people hating on brie and "femisists" suck, but also I've seen so many examples of people writing off anyone's genuine criticism as sexist. So it can be difficult to talk about this movie haha, when it shouldn't be. Brie's comments during the marketing of the film were off-putting as well, but that shouldn't influence anyone's opinion on the film. Fun reaction as usual! Excited for End Game 😃😃
Rhys
2023-07-20 10:36:14 +0000 UTCI dont think most people had a problem with the movie itself, even if its a good example for a mary sue and the writing is quite mediocre. Most of those people got a problem with Brie Larson and her statements and comments in real life. Its not my oppinion but for many people she is quite extreme in her views and after the woke bubble created more and more controversies (especially in Hollywood) she was one of the main targets because of her controversial comments. I admit im not a big fan of her cause she isnt a good actress also not bad either, just ok)) imho but the movie got way more heat and hate then deserved. Sadly nowadays you cant critisize any movie with a female lead cause you are instantly flagged as a misogynist even if you say nothing about the Actress at all. In the end, its an ok movie with weak writing and a bland lead character (not Larsons fault but the writers) but its defintely not as bad as Thor 2 for example.
Curaitis
2023-07-20 09:36:35 +0000 UTCWhen you posted the schedule for July it didn’t click in my brain that you would be watching one of the quintessential 90’s movies and the 90’s MCU movie in the same month! Plus the “Mallrats” reference in this movie. You planned that right? You can see the future? 😂 My 90’s soul is loving this month!!! Can’t wait to watch this when I get off work!!! Captain Marvel is a fun character and fun movie!
CheshireKat528
2023-07-20 07:02:16 +0000 UTCMy reactions will be significantly worse and different if I watch without subtitles. It's something I need to have to put out the best me that I can.
kaiielle
2023-07-20 05:23:04 +0000 UTCCaptain Marvel is basically the MCU’s version of Superman. So for Endgame, one request - no subtitles if possible. I feel like it spoils some surprises.
HugoBoss435
2023-07-20 05:19:46 +0000 UTCCaptain Marvel (Carol Danvers) has been one of my favorite comic book characters for a long time. Going as far back to when she was still called Ms Marvel 🖤⚡️I'm very happy with Brie Larson's performance. I also like the era it takes place in. Overall I think it's a great movie 🌟
Future_Boy85
2023-07-20 05:11:39 +0000 UTCI enjoy this movie more and more each time I see it. It did get a lot of outside hate, but also people were hating on Brie's performance as being too boring or wooden. But Carol is a mostly serious person. She has the "flyboy" attitude of supreme confidence. At least on the outside. So she doesn't wear her emotions on her sleeve. I thought she did it brilliantly. There were a few cringey moments, (Annette Benning dancing to Come As You Are being the worst imo). But it's still very entertaining. I'm sure by now you've realized that Talos is the same actor as Director Krennick from Rogue One. My only real qualm is I thought the de-aging of Coulson missed the mark. Samuel L Jackson's was much better if still noticeable at times. Can't wait for Endgame!
Marty McGee
2023-07-20 03:44:12 +0000 UTCI'll save some comments for the YouTube version, but one delightful behind-the-scenes fact is that Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson became off-screen friends after working on this, with Jackson going on to appear in Larson's directorial debut, a movie called Unicorn Store that she made for Netflix. You mentioned you saw some of the manchildren crying about this movie -- not that it was warranted, of course, but the movie had a target painted on its back for misogynist hatred from the beginning, as it was flaunted as groundbreaking for Marvel. Not only was this their first female-led superhero movie, it was also the first MCU film with a woman directing (Anna Boden, alongside her filmmaking partner Ryan Fleck). Although that progress was positive, whatever ground it broke was partially muted by Marvel being two years behind the curve, with the DCEU already accomplishing both milestones with Wonder Woman in 2017, leaving Captain Marvel to arrive in the wake long-standing public pressure about their diversity in front of and behind the camera (not to mention, many had been asking for a Black Widow movie since she was introduced into the MCU in 2010). It was widely reported at the time that Wonder Woman was the first film directed by a woman in history with a budget of over $100m, although later fact-checking shows it was the sixth (the first five being the films directed by the Wachowski sisters between 2003 and 2015: The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas, and Jupiter Ascending). I thought it was kind of funny that you almost didn't recognize Ronan (and maybe it was the subtitles?) given you just recently mentioned that you thought he was one of the weaker villains. That first Guardians is also where Korath originally appeared.
Tyler Foster
2023-07-20 03:29:50 +0000 UTCI love the part when you were busy talking during the morgue scene (which I love your commentary - and also the whole point of watching reactions lol) so you missed the "boss" saying goodbye to his friend and then before he walks out you were suspicious like "he was too into that" made me laugh lol
AGBmom
2023-07-20 03:14:59 +0000 UTCI don't hate this movie, but it definitely doesn't hit the mark for me. I had a hard time getting into it. This movie had the unfavorable position of being after Infinity War and before Endgame and introducing a very new powerful character right before the end of this story.
Jam
2023-07-20 02:41:15 +0000 UTCYeah I def didn't make that connection at all LOL - thanks for telling me!
kaiielle
2023-07-20 01:15:54 +0000 UTCOh, the hate this one gets...but whatever! I love this movie. I think Brie Larson is spectacular in the role, and Samuel L. Jackson is always welcome.
Steve Mercier
2023-07-20 01:15:22 +0000 UTCIn case you didn’t notice, Project Pegasus, the joint USAF/NASA base Fury and Carol infiltrated was the same facility that was destroyed in the opening scenes of the first Avengers film. It’s a very subtle callback…easy to miss.
William
2023-07-20 01:15:09 +0000 UTCGood flicks seem like a nice thing to bond over. 😉
William
2023-07-20 01:06:39 +0000 UTCI LOVE that you all heart each other's comments - you're the best! ❤️
kaiielle
2023-07-20 00:57:46 +0000 UTCYeah, I was told a while ago that Endgame was his last cameo appearance and I believe that one is posthumous too. And yes the reaction is early this week because I'm out of town Sat-Mon and I didn't want this reaction disrupted because of it. So I'll have the edit ready to go by the time I leave on Saturday.
kaiielle
2023-07-20 00:57:27 +0000 UTCOh, earlier than I thought this week. So excited to re-watch along side your reaction. And now I can safely say this is why I warned you last week that Stan passed away before it was released. I didn’t want to spoil anything but wanted you to have context to the tribute. I didn’t mean to imply he wouldn’t have a cameo. I remember getting choked up in the theater when they did that. If you haven’t seen it yet, I also suggest you look up the Endgame cast sings “We Didn’t Start the Fire”. Another fine tribute. And nothing in it spoils a thing about Endgame.
Bryan Dempsey
2023-07-20 00:55:52 +0000 UTCI'm very eager!!
kaiielle
2023-07-20 00:15:51 +0000 UTCIs it me or are you just as eager as we are to get to "Endgame"?
Jim Schmitz
2023-07-20 00:15:31 +0000 UTCYeah I briefly saw complaints of "feminism". 🫠
kaiielle
2023-07-19 23:36:48 +0000 UTCSome people might just rate this movie lower than most other MCU movies, which is completely fair, but there was also a lot of manufactured hate for dumb social politics reasons that aren't worth repeating.
Tom Evans
2023-07-19 23:36:04 +0000 UTCSame.
William
2023-07-19 23:17:07 +0000 UTCI really enjoyed this movie, definitely not in the group that gave it so much hate.
Kristine Friling
2023-07-19 23:16:07 +0000 UTCThe 90s vibes were peak. It was like being in my childhood all over again.
kaiielle
2023-07-19 23:14:39 +0000 UTCYay! I’m always looking forward to watching along the MCU with you, and I’m definitely excited for this one. I’ve always enjoyed the 90s indie action flick feel of this one. Along with Ant-Man & The Wasp, it’s a great palette cleanser after Infinity War. 👍🏼
William
2023-07-19 23:13:16 +0000 UTC
