REVIEW: Captain America: Brave New World
Here’s my Captain America: Brave New World review which is still playing in theaters and stars Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford and directed by Julius Onah from Marvel Studios and Disney.
After an “OK” reception in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, we take things to the big screen with Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson continuing the legacy left behind by the first Captain America, Steve Rogers. In this new film, Sam and his buddy Joaquin Torres aka The Falcon are drawn into a conspiracy involving the US and it’s shared interest in Tiamut Island with the newly discovered metal Adamantium. Somebody is setting up ‘Murica to be the bad guy and its not helping that the current president, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (played by Harrison Ford), is a little unhinged earlier in his career as a military man.
The movie set out one thing that really stands out and that connect some loose ends in the Marvel Cinematic Universe while setting it in a solid path that will eventually lead moviegoers to Avengers: Secret War and Avengers: Doomsday. Its been floating for a while now and the film helps weave a new tapestry for things to come.
I respect Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson both on and off screen. He’s no Steve Rogers and that’s what makes him a good fit. Mackie channels this noble man who just wants to do what’s right and stand up for the positive beliefs in a world that’s slowly being torn apart by society and politics. He’s the everyman guy who took up the mantle and the shield for the greater good. But he’s also struggling because there are still others who reject him both onscreen and offscreen and that’s why he has to do things thrice as good as the original. It just made perfect sense.
Harrison Ford also seems to enjoy his role as Thunderbolt Ross and I applaud Marvel for actually not killing any of the villains this time. Ford’s Ross is so different from William Hurt’s version of the character as he takes center stage and gets a major role rather than a supporting one. Ford’s version is a man that’s got secrets and wants to keep it that way. His take also nails down the look of worry and unease and if you’ll notice as the film progresses, he’s slowly looking more and more tired and stressed out which ultimately gives us the Red Hulk when we reach the film’s third act.
Most of the cast were just OK for me with Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley doing fine work extending his already great TFTWS moment as he’s used by Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns / Leader as a tool to “assassinate” President Ross. The result including his heartbreaking scene with Sam in prison makes it more devastating. And let’s not even talk about that suit of his.
Speaking of The Leader, I’m disappointed with how this came out. The character was so much smarter and so much resilient and yet we only see a portion of that. Nelson’s performance was just OK but it could have been better for me. Also his MCU looked ridiculous, stupid even. He does get some brownie points because he’s clearly one of the first few individuals who dropped the incursion and the tease for Secret War to our new Captain America.
Then there’s Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder. Interesting villain who had his moment and they also let him leave so he could be potentially Sam Wilson’s archenemy in the MCU which is good. That also means that when they make a fifth Cap movie, you can expect him to be here. Esposito’s cool and calm demeanor here as a bad guy is definitely worth him getting into the MCU. As much as I hated the fact that they completely removed Seth “Freakin” Rollins from the film as well as Rosa Salazar’s Diamondback, Esposito coming onboard was a good call. But maybe we can comeback to those two later Marvel?
There are also some cameos that I enjoyed namely that brief segment with Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Soldier and him giving Sam that necessary pep talk and of course the beautiful Liv Tyler who reprises her role as Betty Ross from “The Incredible Hulk”.
The action sequences were also up to speed especially that aerial dogfight although the one from “The Falcon” show was a lot better in my opinion. It might take some getting used to but I like where Marvel is going with the franchise in terms of action. Also please do away with the rethreading of old stuff like that echo of Steve versus Batroc from “Winter Soldier” in the church fight between Sam and Copperhead but that had some good payoff showing how adamantium can cut vibranium which is a terrifying idea now for Sam.
I’m also not a fan of the new suit. The Disney+ suit was definitely working for me although I take it, the cowl with the ears sticking out might not be the best look for live action.
Captain America: Brave New World – Final Thoughts:
Captain America: Brave New World isn’t as bad as what people are saying. It has some good bits and there were some obviously weird choices made. It did feel like they wanted to emulate the feel and tone of the superior Captain America: The Winter Soldier here with political drama and espionage but it didn’t click. Anthony Mackie like his film counterpart also struggles to prove that he’s got what it takes to fill the role left by Chris Evans and ultimately triumphs. Marvel fans will love the easter eggs and references and potential stuff that’ll come along the way including the eventual surfacing of the X-Men and Wolverine. Notable acting from Carl Lumbly and Harrison Ford who both left incredible marks in this film. The Red Hulk CGI was also good and gets us our gamma fix. The film did suffer from reworks and reshoots and the villains are the really weakest links here with Samuel Sterns doing just good and Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder looking out of place but still holds potential down the line. The action scenes were fun with some throwbacks to past Marvel movies thrown into the mix. Wasn’t that bad but rather a necessary course-correct for a floundering juggernaut.
