Recently, I took my nine-year-old daughter, Emma, to watch Captain Marvel at the local cinema during its opening weekend. It was a special afternoon for just the two of us, and Emma was still in her pajama-themed birthday party attire, complete with a tiara and pink Disney princess PJs. Her brown hair was slightly tousled from the festivities, but that didn’t stop her from being a die-hard Avengers fan. We’ve watched countless hours of Marvel movies together, but none resonated with her quite like Captain Marvel.
We settled into our seats near the center of the packed theater. With a bag of popcorn in her lap and 3D glasses perched on her nose, Emma was just tall enough to see over the seats in front of her. She laughed at the Flerken (that seemingly innocuous cat with tentacles) and even asked me about what a Blockbuster video was. But mostly, she was glued to the screen.
I’m not here to debate Marvel versus DC, as I’m far from an expert on that front. However, I do recall when Wonder Woman premiered at the same little theater. Emma had no interest in going to see it. Perhaps it’s because she hasn’t seen as many DC films compared to the Marvel universe, which may indicate we were influenced by a brand’s strength. Would Wonder Woman have impacted her similarly? It’s hard to say, but I’ll find out when I finally get her to watch it.
What I do know is this: Emma and I have watched all the Avengers films, along with every Iron Man, Captain America, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Yet, none of those movies captivated her like Captain Marvel did.
She was absolutely mesmerized. As the film neared its climax, she fidgeted in her seat. I asked if she needed a bathroom break, but she didn’t respond; she was too engrossed to leave for even a second. One particular montage struck her deeply—the one where Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) falls repeatedly and rises each time. Comic writer Kelly Sue DeConnick perfectly encapsulates this moment, noting, “Carol falls down all the time, but she always gets back up — we say that about Captain America as well, but Captain America gets back up because it’s the right thing to do. Carol gets back up because ‘F*ck you.’”
During that scene, I glanced at my small, petite daughter, and I noticed her right hand gripping her pant leg in a tight fist. Her shoulders were tense, and her lips were pressed into a line. This was empowerment in its purest form, and it was amazing to witness.
I have many hopes for Emma’s future. I want her to be well-educated, appreciate family and community, hold her head high when asking for a raise, and feel confident and empowered. I dream of her breaking through barriers and becoming an Avenger if the opportunity arises. My little girl is bright and full of potential, and I don’t want her to feel like she’s fighting with “one hand tied behind her back.”
Yet, it’s challenging to instill that mindset in a world that often places a spotlight on powerful male characters. For Emma, Captain Marvel was not just a movie; it was a revelation. It illustrated that women can be superheroes, showing her she doesn’t have to conform to the princess mold. She learned that it’s okay to stumble and rise stronger each time. As a father, that realization alters everything.
As we left the theater, her left hand clasped in mine and her right clutching a half-eaten bag of popcorn, I asked if she enjoyed the film. She paused, looked up, and exclaimed, “It was awesome!” I grinned back, ready to move on, but she stood still and then asked if she could be Captain Marvel for Halloween. This would be the first year she hadn’t asked to be a princess. I high-fived her and said, “Absolutely!” She beamed, pumped her fist, and we continued our walk to the car.
In summary, Captain Marvel has become a pivotal moment in my daughter’s understanding of strength and capability, allowing her to envision a future beyond traditional roles. It’s a significant change that every father of a daughter can appreciate.
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