Brie Larson stars in a scene from the movie "Captain Marvel." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. (CNS/Walt Disney Pictures)

By Catholic News Service

Lavish origin story finds the superhero of the title (Brie Larson) faithfully serving the alien civilization that trained her as a warrior in its struggle against the encroachments of a race of shape-shifting enemies (led by Ben Mendelsohn). But when she joins her military mentor (Jude Law) on a mission to 1995 Earth, persistent flashbacks to a previous life become ever more troubling and confusing for her, especially after she joins forces with a SHIELD officer (Samuel L. Jackson) and the two go in search of the scientist (Annette Bening) who seems to be crucial both to the intergalactic conflict and to her missing past.

Wit and positive messages about working for peace and the resilience of the human spirit buoy co-writers (with Geneva Robertson-Dworet) and directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s Marvel Comics adaptation. While the inclusion of an invisible being called the Supreme Intelligence might confuse youngsters still being formed in their faith, the film is possibly acceptable for mature teens.

Much combat violence, most of it stylized but some of it harsh, fleeting anatomical humor, a few mild oaths, at least one rough term, a handful of crude and crass expressions. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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