Marvel Studios’ latest filmCaptain America: Brave New Worldhit theaters this past weekend, and although the film had a decent debut at the box office, the film has received a mixed reception from critics and audiences alike. With a 51% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a lackluster B- CinemaScore from audiences, Sam Wilson’s cinematic debut as the new Captain America is not the slam dunk the character deserves.
Captain America: Brave New Worldis not without its merits. Anthony Mackie is a more-than-capable actor, whose work both within and outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a testament to his versatility as a performer. Mackie tries his best to carry the film and he certainly has the charisma and commanding screen presence to carry on the mantle following Chris Evans’ initial run from 2011-2019. But the routine shortcomings of modern franchise filmmaking including studio indecisiveness and a lackluster script underserved Mackie’s talents. It doesn’t help that the biggest element of the film’s marketing campaign ended up becoming Marvel’s biggest mistake for the film as a whole.
Big Red SPOILER Warning
The biggest selling point within the marketing campaign ofCaptain America: Brave New Worldwas not on Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson taking on the mantle as the titular patriotic superhero, but rather on the specific antagonist he faces off against: President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, whom eventually transforms into Red Hulk.Harrison Ford steps into the rolepreviously played by the late William Hurt, who, much like Mackie, does the best he could with weak material.
Marvel Studios essentially marketedCaptain America: Brave New Worldas a Cap vs. Red Hulk movie. After all, the first poster released for the film featured the iconic Vibranium shield firmly held in the hands of Red Hulk. Every trailer and TV spot has prominently featured Red Hulk, specifically the appeal of having Harrison Ford, one of the most iconic movie stars in Hollywood history, in the role. While it’s understandable that Marvel Studios chose to promote that aspect to audiences, this particular marketing decision ultimately guts the film of any dramatic tension. The lack of tension is because Red Hulk’s total onscreen presence is exclusively featured in the film’s climax.
The central conflict drivingCaptain America: Brave New Worldis betweenSam Wilsonand President Ross. Given the two have had their tumultuous history with one another as seen in the events that transpired inCaptain America: Civil WarandAvengers: Infinity War,naturally much of that baggage would be carried intoBrave New World.The film barely brushes on that aspect within their first meeting, as depicted in the initial teaser trailer. It doesn’t help that the trailers give away the majority of the film’s conflict and that the film itself treats the emergence ofRed Hulkas some sort of epic reveal, ignoring the fact that audiences already knew of this inevitability, given that this face-off was at the center of all the promotional material.
A StealthTheIncredible HulkSequel
Captain America: Brave New Worldis the 35th film in the MCUand the fourth film in theCaptain Americaseries. Of course, it’s meant to kickstart a new era within the MCU given that Sam Wilson is officially carrying on the shield that Steve Rogers famously passed on to him inAvengers: Endgameso in a way, it’s a bit of a soft-reboot for Captain America overall. Fans got a chance to see Sam’s journey in embracing the mantle through the Disney+ seriesThe Falcon and The Winter Soldier,so his having a standalone film was a welcome addition to the ongoingMultiverse Sagawhich desperately needs a strong leader for the eventual new Avengers roster.
Unfortunately,Captain America: Brave New Worldis not interested in further developing Sam Wilson’s character other than just giving him some standard action sequences that somehow feel less exciting and cinematic than what was shown inThe Falcon and The Winter Soldier.Whatever potential narrative growth Sam should have in his first solo film as Cap is overshadowed by some of the weakest world building and fan service featured within the MCU to date. And unfortunately, much of this is related to specific beats introduced in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk.
Yes,The Incredible Hulk,the Louis Letterier-directed film that starred Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner is explicitly acknowledged for the first time in the MCU in 17 years (nine if you count Thunderbolt Ross’ appearance inCaptain America: Civil War).Captain America: Brave New Worldnot only features Thunderbolt Ross, but also the return of two characters that have been absent sinceThe Incredible Hulk:Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), who only appears onscreen briefly in the film’s final scene, andSamuel Sterns/The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson). Ultimately, Samuel Sterns serves as the true antagonist of the film,and his presence works in tandem with the underwhelming nature of Red Hulk as perhaps the biggest issue that plagues the film, and is indicative of the MCU’s biggest narrative shortcomings in the post-Endgameera.
Sam Wilson Underserved
By basing much of the narrative conflict ofCaptain America: Brave New Worldon unresolved plot points from one of the MCU’s most-forgotten films, director Julias Onah along with his fellow co-screenwriters Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson and Peter Glanz give audiences a story that is more concerned with broader cinematic universe world-building and fan service than it is on the further development of Sam Wilson as a character. Besides the routine action sequences, near-death experiences and predictable political dilemmas he endures throughout the film, Sam Wilson is never challenged in any meaningful way. While those defending the film may claim that this is because Sam’s character development was already handled inThe Falcon and The Winter Soldier,that defense falls short given that Sam himself acknowledges that it’s been three years since the events of that series, and this film should have served as a linchpin moment for his development as a character. Sure, Sam endures some slight narrative tension regarding the danger thatJoaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez)and Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) find themselves in, but those characters’ own stories remain under-explored within the film to leave any meaningful impact.
In bothCaptain America: The Winter SoldierandCaptain America: Civil War,Steve Rogers is challenged on his own political philosophies and personal convictions in ways that truly break him down to his core. In both of those films, we witness the choices he makes, and how they end up affecting his standing within the Avengers and the political climate of the world at that time. InThor: Ragnarok,while the addition of Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) alongside Thor (Chris Hemsworth) was heavily promoted in the promotional material and can be interpreted as fan service, the film did not coast on the Hulk’s allure but used his appearance to inform Thor’s own character development and vice versa. These films featured stories that served the characters’ growth whileCaptain America: Brave New Worlduses Sam Wilson to serve the MCU’s future narrative while subduing any meaningful development for Sam himself.
A Middling MCU Movie
Ultimately,Captain America: Brave New Worldfails to ignite any excitement for the ongoing narrative of the MCU, which is disappointing given thatAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Warsare upon us sooner than we realize. With an uncompelling story that is more concerned with fulfilling Kevin Feige’s world-building than any concrete character development as well as showing its hand too early by centering the film’s marketing on Red Hulk, the film is yet another underwhelming entry in the post-Endgameera of Marvel Studios.
The biggest bummer of this film’s lackluster final product is that this will always be the debut standalone cinematic solo film for Sam Wilson as Captain America. WhenAnthony Mackiewas first introduced inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier11 years ago, his magnetic charisma and remarkable screen presence were a refreshing addition to the MCU. The moment old man Steve Rogers gave Sam the shield at the end ofAvengers: Endgamebecame an iconic moment in comic book film history. Unfortunately,Captain America: Brave New Worldis a weak headlining vehicle, and Mackie deserves so much better than this.
Captain America: Brave New World
Cast
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titledNew World Order)marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
