In the first preview for “Captain Marvel,” viewers witnessed the hero punch an elderly woman in the face on a train. Many were utterly confused, but the true Marvel fanatics understood that she was simply doing her duty.

Grandma-punching and all, “Captain Marvel” is a fantastic film that perfectly understands itself and its role in the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. Spoilers follow.

The story follows Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), or Vers, her Kree name. We find Danvers on the Kree capital planet of Hala in 1995 by Earth years, troubled by dreams of a past life on a different planet. Danvers came to Hala six years ago, with no memory of where she was before.

After a mission with her team and commander Yon-Rogg (Jude Law) ends poorly, and a fight between Danvers and the Kree’s main enemy, the Skrall, and their general Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), she then finds herself on earth. It is here she encounters S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), and the two embark on a quest to find information on what the Skrall are searching for on Earth: a light speed drive

Throughout this journey, Danvers uncovers more details about the visions she was troubled by, eventually realizing she had a life as an air force pilot on Earth before coming to Hala. Danvers discovers that the Kree have been oppressing the Skrall for generations, and Yon-Rogg had been lying to her about who her true enemy was. Talos then reveals that he and his Skrall brethren only wanted the light speed drive to escape the Kree oppression and find a home in a new galaxy.

After a victorious battle with Yon-Rogg and her former team, Danvers vows to return if Fury ever needs any help, and embarks on a new journey to find the Skrall a home.

Above all else, the movie did exactly what it needed to do in the context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the heavily anticipated “Avengers: Endgame” coming out in April, this movie did the perfect job of keeping fans engaged until then while also giving them even more to be excited about in the upcoming blockbuster.

“Captain Marvel” gave away exactly enough to explain many things that most Marvel fans had been wondering for years, while also leaving plenty up to the imagination to make fans eager for the next installment.

The writing and pacing of this movie was phenomenal, implemented beautifully by directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. The film perfectly blended high-octane action scenes with emotional turning points and impactful dialogue.

Larson and Jackson together had great screen chemistry, clearly understanding the role of each other in context to their own character. Larson performed well, and she portrayed her tough female character powerfully. Her line delivery fell short in certain scenes, however, softening the impact of certain moments.

As he has become a mainstay in Marvel films, Samuel L. Jackson carried the movie on his serious tone when needed, and his hilarious wit each time Fury cracked a joke. Ben Mendelsohn as Talos was fantastic, providing the perfect threatening antagonist at the beginning, but then playing his part skillfully through the twist that was genuinely surprising.

One of the most important concepts in this movie is that Larson portrayed the first ever female lead hero in a Marvel movie. This movie added a refreshing touch in that Danvers never had a male love-interest, showing that she can be just as strong without a man by her side—a concept in which many movies with female leads have fallen short. Her power came from within her and not from anyone else. Through that, this movie provided a role model for little girls everywhere to feel empowered.

“Captain Marvel” is a striking reminder that Marvel remains the king of the superhero industry. It is a masterclass in writing and directing in an age where action and emotion seems to be hard to come by on the silver screen.