Captain America: Brave New World Review: A Moderately Enjoyable MCU Political Thriller

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As the new year unfolds, we’re stepping into another chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – “Captain America: A Fresh World” being the fourth film in this epic saga. Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers passed on his shield and title to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), and now, we have a movie that centers around him as Captain America. In this installment, he encounters a fresh danger as his comrade Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) is incarcerated after an attempt to assassinate Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), the current U.S. President. Convinced that Isaiah was under control against his will, Sam embarks on a mission to exonerate Isaiah and expose the growing conspiracy lurking beneath.

The movie “Captain America: Brave New World” is quite enjoyable, though it has some flaws. Interestingly, it secretly continues the story from the 2008 film “The Incredible Hulk”, one of the early Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies where Edward Norton portrayed Bruce Banner. It seems like that movie was released ages ago given the numerous MCU films that have followed since then. Although Norton’s character was replaced by Mark Ruffalo in later movies, there have been references to the original film, such as Tim Roth reprising his role as Abomination in “She-Hulk” and Shang-Chi, and General Thaddeus Ross appearing in more MCU productions.

As a gamer, I’ve got some news to share: The actor who once embodied Ross, William Hurt, passed away in 2022. But fear not, as Harrison Ford is stepping into the role now, proving yet again why he’s one of cinema’s enduring legends. It’s incredible how seamlessly he fits this character, even though he doesn’t mimic Hurt or resemble him physically. To be honest, it’s hard for me to see anyone else in this role now. If you’re familiar with Air Force One, you know Ford as a commanding president, and here he gets another chance to showcase that authority. He’s convincing and authoritative, and his relationship with Betty Ross, his daughter in the story, deepens a bit more too.

It’s unusual that Ross plays such a significant role in this movie, considering his strong association with the Hulk character from the comics rather than Captain America. However, Universal Pictures holds the option to produce any solo Hulk films first, which is why we haven’t seen another standalone Hulk film featuring Ruffalo. As a result, this appears to be a Captain America sequel, but it could also be considered a disguised Hulk sequel.

In essence, Director Julius Onah often draws inspiration from the visual style used by the Russo Brothers in their Captain America movies, particularly the second installments. The film “Captain America: Brave New World” shines brightest when it delves into political intrigue and espionage. It truly excels when the conflicts become deeply personal. Viewers of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” on Disney+ will be familiar with Isaiah Bradley’s heart-wrenching tale, a tragedy that is subtly reiterated in this movie as well. Throughout the film, we find ourselves rooting for Sam’s mission: to clear his friend’s name and seek justice.

In the opening, Sam Wilson once again demonstrates his skills as Captain America, while Danny Ramirez reappears as Joaquin Torres, adding humor and quick wit as a charming companion. An initial fight scene includes some dated villain dialogue and average combat choreography compared to Cap’s battle with Batroc in The Winter Soldier, but it presents us with a new adversary, Sidewinder, played by Giancarlo Esposito. Despite having limited screen time, he delivers a captivating performance in the role, even though his character isn’t particularly deep on paper.

Introduced among the characters is Ruth (Shira Haas), serving as President Ross’s security chief. Initially, she assumes Isaiah poses a danger and pushes for his incarceration. However, she’s quick to adjust her views when presented with fresh evidence. Unfortunately, beyond this initial impression, she doesn’t seem particularly intriguing. It appears the creators are planning to develop her role further, but in this movie, her impact is minimal. One of the standout aspects of Captain America: Brave New World is its antagonist, who primarily works from behind the scenes. Reminiscent of top-notch villains, he consistently stays one move ahead of our protagonists, much like Helmut Zemo in Captain America: Civil War.

In the film, there’s an exceptional action scene midway through featuring Captain America battling fighter planes, evoking a sense reminiscent of Top Gun. Unfortunately, the quality of the storyline declines in the final act, mirroring the pattern observed in 2013’s The Wolverine. Much like these films, Captain America: Brave New World strays from its somber tone for a less impactful ending. The climactic fight lacks inspiration and appears modest compared to previous Cap movies, despite the abundant destruction depicted. While the movie excels in the first two acts, it concludes on a lackluster note.

Mackie has been playing Sam for ten years, and he’s an exceptional character. Yet, unlike Steve Rogers, Sam lacks a firm moral compass, and the film doesn’t fully explore this aspect of his personality. The film does touch upon Sam’s internal conflict about accepting the super soldier serum, but it fails to develop this tension sufficiently. Instead, the movie largely centers around President Ross, who undergoes a significant transformation in this film (without giving away any spoilers). However, this focus on Ross seems out of place and feels more suited for a different storyline.

All in all, “Captain America: Brave New World” is enjoyable and worth revisiting. While it doesn’t quite match the greatness of prior Captain America films or many others within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it still offers enough appealing aspects, particularly during the initial two acts, making it a satisfying viewing experience for any fan of comic book movies.

SCORE: 7/10

According to the review guidelines at ComingSoon, a rating of 7 means “Good.” This suggests an enjoyable and entertaining production that’s generally worth watching, although it might not captivate every viewer.

Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Captain America: Brave New World review.

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2025-02-12 20:11