Marvel has done it again. They’ve created another Box Office smash using the same formula they’ve used a thousand times before. The origin story of a snarky character finding their way to heroism through elaborate fights, dramatic discoveries, and high-speed car chases. Yes, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has once again proven that they know what stops to pull in order to make hundreds of millions, only this time it’s a leading lady that took them to the top of the Box Office charts. If you haven’t seen the movie yet you’re going to want to stop here, SPOILERS AHEAD.

Our hero, Veers, begins the film on a planet of Kree Warriors, with no memory of her life before six years ago. She soon ends up on earth and after meeting a young Nick Fury, she goes on a wild chase to stop a Skrull invasion and find out more about her past on Earth (or C3-51 as she refers to it.) The movie is set in the 90’s, about three decades before present day in the Marvel Universe, which the filmmakers have just enough fun with by having Veers crash into a Blockbuster, and chalking it full of R&B (especially of the female variety.) Much like the origin movies of Captain America or Thor, the beginning of the film can seem slow to a seasoned superhero fan as Veer’s hasn’t discovered her powers yet, but it’s packed full of enough fights and powers at the end to satisfy anyone waiting for the explosions.

“Captain Marvel” is as good as any of the dozen Marvel films made in the last fifteen years, but it’s so much more than most of them. According to the International Box Office, during opening weekend “Captain Marvel” became the top grossing film in history with a female protagonist, and the sixth ever. This not only proves that a female lead superhero film can not only survive in the mainstream media, but it can thrive, it can make $455 million on opening weekend.

Captain Marvel has joined Wonder Woman as a feminist icon. The film grazes the surface of sexism here in the United States, with scenes where Veers is told to “give a smile” and it constantly told she “can’t control her emotions well enough,” and it has still sparked controversy. Watching a woman kick butt and take names with no help and no romantic storyline is empowering, something I wish I would have had to watch when I was younger. Towards the end of the film Veers (or as she’s learned, Carol) is told to prove she can control her emotions enough to fight without her powers. She responds with a proton blast to his chest, stating that she has nothing to prove..I admit, I cheered in the silent theater.

If you are so behind the herd that you haven’t seen it yet, go see it. Pay attention not only to the epic fight scenes and incredible powers of Captain Marvel, but to the empowering storyline of a woman who proves her worth, when she has nothing to prove.