Captain America: Brave New World
review by Bobby Blakey
Ever since the end of Infinity: End Game the MCU has been hit and miss for most of the fans. Their series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier was one that delivered and set up the future of the mantle of Captain America now taken over by The Falcon aka Sam Wilson. Now his first outing on the big screen is here, but could it offer the same impact as the previous films, or will he not be worthy of the shield?
Captain America: Brave New World follows Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, who finds himself in the middle of an international incident and must discover the motive behind a nefarious global plan. The film features Anthony Mackie reprising his role as Wilson along with Carl Lumbly reprising his role of Isiah from the series and Harrison Ford taking over the part of General, now President Ross previously played by the late William Hurt.
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I have been a big fan of the Falcon in comics for years so was excited when he finally made his debut in the MCU in my still all-time favorite film in the franchise Captain America: Winter Soldier. I haven’t kept up with a lot of his comic transition from Falcon to Captain America, but I was eager to see it move forward in this latest outing. Adding Red Hulk and then the rumored connections to previous films made me excited to see where it was all heading.
Heading in I had already heard not so great things about it so kept my expectations low but have to say I enjoyed it quite a bit. I will admit that the film does feel more like a bigger budget episode of Falcon and the Winter Soldier series on some level, but not in a bad way. It not only continues off the ending of that show for Sam’s new life as Cap but also takes on the challenge of filling in some left-over gaps in films like Incredible Hulk and Eternals which I felt made the film more important.
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I was so happy that for most part the film is toned back down to a real world like an action espionage flick like in Winter Soldier. I think the MCU got so caught up with everything needing to be bigger and galactic that it was just too much. I love all that stuff but miss these smaller stories. The addition of the Red Hulk allows them to go that bigger tone in the last act but has a decent enough build-up to enjoy the journey. It’s nowhere near as good as Winter Soldier and simplistic in its execution of the secrets but still worked for me.
It’s far from perfect with things like the new Falcon getting brought in, which was teased in the show and I did enjoy. I just felt like not giving Sam the chance to grow on his own lessoned his own lead for his first film. At the same time without actual powers, he kind of needed that back-up option and allowed them to ease in a new character without shoehorning in yet another cameo. I love all these actors and heroes, but ready to see some new ones and we don’t need the ongoing return of them all.
Mackie is excellent here and carries the film and shield with ease. Ford steps into perfection as the new Ross and makes full use of his usual grumpy persona. The rest of the cast were good as well with Lumbly’s return as Isiah getting much more to do and some impactful scenes once again. Despite needing a bit more time to really flesh out his new stance as Falcon I still think Danny Ramierz does a good job and will find his own place in the franchise given the chance.
Like actual comics, they all change artists and writers hence the tone of the films will change as well. I felt this is a fun and strong enough entry into the next chapter of the MCU and hope for more surprises and new characters. Not every comic features a cameo, and not all the films need it either. That doesn’t mean this film doesn’t feature some surprise appearances or directions but was so happy in those they went with. There are some design issues I had but can’t really go into without spoiling elements, but I think I understand the choice.
Obviously, this film isn’t working for everyone, but for me I got exactly what I wanted out of it and had a great time. It pushes the MCU forward subtly and gives Mackie to showcase his ease in taking on the mantle and hope they stick with him as they said for years to come.
Decide for yourself and check out Captain America: Brave New World in theaters now.