As a dad of a daughter, I want to share how ‘Captain Marvel’ reshaped everything for us.
Recently, I took my daughter, Mia, to see Captain Marvel during its opening weekend. We went to our local theater, and it was just the two of us. Mia was still in her pajamas from a sleepover, complete with a shiny tiara and her hair a bit tousled. Despite her outfit, she’s a hardcore Avengers fan. We’ve watched every single Avengers movie, but none resonated with her quite like Captain Marvel did.
We found our seats in the middle of a packed theater. With her popcorn in hand and 3D glasses perched on her nose, Mia was just tall enough to peer over the seats in front of her. She giggled at the Flerken—a seemingly cute cat with tentacles—and curiously asked me about Blockbuster video stores. But truthfully, she was utterly captivated by the film.
I’m not here to pit Marvel against DC; I’m not an expert in those debates. However, it’s noteworthy that when Wonder Woman was released, Mia showed no interest in seeing it. Perhaps it was because she hadn’t watched many DC films. Maybe we were just drawn to the familiar branding of Marvel. Would Wonder Woman have made a similar impact? I can’t say for sure until I get her to watch it.
What I do know is that after watching all the Avengers movies, none had the same effect on Mia as Captain Marvel. She was spellbound. At one point, she shifted in her seat. I asked if she needed a break, but she was glued to the screen. One scene, in particular, struck her deeply—the montage where Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) repeatedly falls and rises again. Comic writer Kelly Sue DeConnick captures it well: “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 moment, I glanced at my small, slender daughter, and her hand was clenched tightly around her pants, her shoulders tense and her expression serious. She looked empowered, and it was amazing.
As a father, I have many hopes for Mia’s future. I want her to be educated, to recognize the value of community and family, and to confidently stand up for herself in any situation. I want her to break through barriers, and honestly, if she had the chance, I’d love for her to become an Avenger. I want her to feel strong and capable, never hindered by outdated stereotypes.
However, teaching her these values is challenging in a world where powerful male characters dominate the screen. For Mia, Captain Marvel wasn’t just a movie; it was a powerful example. It demonstrated that women can be superheroes too, showing her that she doesn’t have to conform to traditional roles. She can fall, get back up, and emerge even stronger. As a father to a daughter, this realization is monumental.
After the film, with her hand in mine and a half-eaten popcorn bag in her other hand, I asked her if she enjoyed it. She stopped, looked up at me, and said, “It was awesome.” I felt a wave of happiness. When I started to walk away, she paused and asked if she could be Captain Marvel for Halloween. This was the first time she hadn’t chosen to be a princess. I high-fived her and said, “Absolutely!” She beamed, pumped her fist, and we walked back to the car together.
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In Summary
‘Captain Marvel’ was more than just another superhero movie; it was a transformative experience for my daughter and a reminder of the powerful messages that films can convey.
Keyphrase: Captain Marvel impact on daughters
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