REVIEW: ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Is Just Fine

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is no longer the cultural juggernaut it used to be. If one wants proof, simply look at the hype, or lack thereof, for Captain America: Brave New World. The press run that has, at best, generated negative headlines regarding reshoots/controversial characters and, at worst, has made little to no noise. It’s a shame, really, because the fans of the MCU would’ve eaten this up about five years ago. Too little too late or not, Captain America Brave New World is at least good enough.

Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) has been the new Captain America for a while, along with a Falcon of his own in Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez). Once former adversary General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford) becomes the President of the United States of America, Sam attempts to make peace with Ross and help lead the world into a better future. This tenuous truce is cut short when one of Sam’s old friends, Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumby), is seemingly brainwashed into attempting to assassinate Ross. While attempting to clear Isaiah’s name, Captain America stumbles into a conspiracy that could start World War III.

To a degree, the requisite MCU issues remain in Captain America Brave New World. Writer-director Julius Onah and the four(!) additional screenwriters Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, and Peter Glanz expect viewers to be caught up on the often forgotten about early-MCU entry The Incredible Hulk along with Eternals, as well as the decently successful Disney+ series, The Falcon & The Winter Soldier. Still, these are hardly memorable MCU projects to form such a concrete backbone of the film. Furthermore, noticeable reshoots, where characters are center frame against a green screen, create a whiplash effect that’s only bolstered by a crowbarred-in plotline featuring Giancarlo Esposito, where he basically explains the story to the audience.

Captain America Brave New World returns to the classic Marvel formula. 

Likewise, the humor falls flat on its face. Expect jokes, especially those uttered by The Falcon, to whiz by without even a single laugh in the auditorium. There’s also the elephant in the room of this film wanting to be a “political thriller” that actively avoids engaging in anything resembling political discourse. Perhaps that’s too much to expect in a popcorn superhero movie. To that, the counter is that they made the President somewhat of an antagonist for a reason, so go full-on and explore the state of the world through a comic book lens.

With these apparent flaws, why does Captain America Brave New World ultimately work? That’s simple: they returned to the simple Marvel Phase 1-3 formula. Here’s a movie with Anthony Mackie playing a hero audiences can root for, a man who stands up against injustice, however vague that might be. This Captain America is not the same one people fell in love with, and Mackie knows that. By building off his strong work in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, he refines his take on Sam Wilson Cap as somebody who got to be the de-facto protector of the free world by doing it himself.

Thunderbolt Ross is a neat surprise, too. Ford seems like he’s having a great time playing a weathered version of Ross, who is estranged from his daughter, burdened by past sins, and struggling to contain the rage from within him. If this is merely a paycheck role for Mr. Ford, it doesn’t seem so. The film’s true antagonist, which won’t be spoiled for those not privy to official casting announcements (hint: you really need to rewatch The Incredible Hulk), is one of the better MCU villains. His design is grotesque, his plan is dastardly, and his motivations make sense.

What it lacks in political intrigue it makes up for in action. 

The dynamic between Sam, Ross, and the antagonist fuels the plotline. Captain America Brave New World isn’t all that complicated, contrary to the political thrillers Onah claimed inspired this film. What it lacks in complication it makes up for in twitchy, paranoid energy. There’s a constant sense of urgency throughout, bolstered by some mostly great visuals. Cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau instills a thick layer of film grain that makes the dark corridors of militaristic facilities; the harsh overhead lighting of meeting rooms, and even the heights of the sky feel downright claustrophobic.

Where the film earns its wings is in the action sequences. The hand-to-hand combat is as good as in Captain America The Winter Soldier. Sam has a more acrobatic fighting style than Steve Rogers, which leads to a lot of cheer-worthy moments during the big set pieces. An aerial combat team-up between Captain America and The Falcon, set against the backdrop of a huge Celestial sticking out of the Indian Ocean, feels like MCU tipping its hat to the sky-high thrills of Top Gun: Maverick. As for the Red Hulk and Captain America fight, it’s precisely the smackdown audiences eat up.

In the final stretch, Captain America Brave New World deflates more than ends, but as a ride, it settles around being more than decent. Captain America Brave New World is less interested in reinvigorating the landscape of the comic book film than pulling off what Marvel used to do so effortlessly. It’s a return to form, but is it too late? Only time will tell.

Captain America Brave New World is playing now in theaters everywhere.