Going into Captain America: Brave New World, I kept my expectations in check. This movie marks a new chapter for the MCU, essentially setting up the "New Avengers" era. While I wasn’t expecting it to follow the previous Captain America films' formula, I did hope for a fresh and compelling take on Sam Wilson’s journey as the new Cap. After watching it, however, I’m left with more concerns than excitement for the MCU’s future.
Storyline Overview
The movie picks up from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and also ties back to The Incredible Hulk (2008), bringing back familiar characters like Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) and Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson). The premise revolves around Sam Wilson navigating an international crisis after a meeting with President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), which spirals into a larger, more sinister global conspiracy.
Unfortunately, the storytelling feels weak, with major plot points feeling rushed or underdeveloped. The setup for future MCU films, especially The Avengers, comes off as choppy and leaves more questions than answers. While I understand that more pieces will likely fall into place in upcoming movies and Disney+ shows, the disjointed narrative makes it hard to feel fully invested in this new direction.
Character Highlights
Anthony Mackie delivers a solid performance as Sam Wilson, but the script doesn’t do his character justice. Sam’s struggles with stepping into the Captain America mantle deserved more depth, yet the film barely scratches the surface.
Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross is intriguing, but his character’s motivations could have been explored further. Likewise, Tim Blake Nelson’s return as Samuel Sterns (a.k.a. The Leader) had potential, yet his actions raise more questions than they answer. If he possesses probability-altering powers, why would he wait for Ross to free him? Why not manipulate the situation himself?
Villain Analysis
The Serpent Society is introduced as an antagonistic force, but their role feels underwhelming. The film doesn’t delve deeply into their motivations or the broader implications of their involvement. Samuel Sterns, on the other hand, has an interesting arc, yet his full potential as a villain remains untapped. The movie presents ideas but doesn’t explore them beyond a surface level, making the antagonists feel more like placeholders for a bigger, future conflict.
Emotional & Thematic Depth
One of the biggest letdowns is how little emotional weight the film carries. Unlike Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which balanced action with a strong political thriller narrative, Brave New World lacks meaningful stakes. There’s no significant emotional connection to the conflicts, and with so much focus on setting up future stories, the movie itself feels like a stepping stone rather than a complete, satisfying experience.
Additionally, Brave New World doesn’t offer many surprises. Most major moments were revealed in the trailers, leaving little room for unexpected twists or deeper engagement.
Final Thoughts
The best parts of Captain America: Brave New World are its action sequences and a few nostalgic callbacks. The Hulk Smash moment was fun, but overall, the film’s story feels underwhelming. I’m left hoping Thunderbolts will pick up the slack and fully introduce Red Hulk, which could bring much-needed excitement to this phase of the MCU.
My final rating: 6/10. While not a terrible film, it struggles to deliver a compelling, well-paced narrative. MCU fans might still find enjoyment in the action and character returns, but the lack of depth and surprises makes it a forgettable entry in the franchise.
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