By Anthony Caruso
Captain America: Brave New World, directed by Julius Onah, is the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It features Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, the new Captain America. The film attempts to explore themes of legacy, political intrigue, and personal identity but ultimately delivers a lackluster experience that fails to resonate.
The narrative follows Sam Wilson grappling with the mantle of Captain America amidst a politically charged environment. President Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, introduces complex dynamics as both an ally and antagonist. While the premise holds potential for a deep exploration of contemporary issues, the film skims the surface, offering a disjointed storyline that lacks coherence and depth.
Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Sam Wilson is earnest but falls short of capturing the gravitas associated with the Captain America persona because Mackie is just not a good actor; earnestness does not equal talented. His performance is hindered by a script that provides little room for character development, rendering his journey unconvincing and emotionally flat. Harrison Ford's role as President Ross, while initially promising, devolves into over-the-top theatrics that undermine the character's credibility. The anticipated transformation into Red Hulk is underutilized, serving more as a marketing hook than a pivotal plot element. And then there's Carl Lumbly's portrayal of Isaiah Bradley, who stands out as a missed opportunity. His character's rich backstory and emotional depth could have provided a compelling narrative, yet the film sidelines him in favor of less engaging plotlines and even less engaging and likable characters. The inclusion of other characters - such as Sebastian Stan's Bucky - feels perfunctory, serving more as fan service than contributing meaningfully to the story.
The film's visual effects are notably subpar, with CGI sequences that appear rushed and unpolished. Action scenes, though abundant, lack innovation and fail to deliver the excitement expected from a blockbuster of this scale. The costume design, particularly for Captain America himself, is unappealing, with comparisons drawn to Ant-Man's helmet, detracting from the iconic image of the character.
The screenplay, meanwhile, is riddled with clichés and contrived dialogue, offering little in terms of originality or emotional resonance. Director Julius Onah's approach seems unfocused, attempting to juggle multiple subplots without providing adequate attention to any, resulting in a fragmented narrative. The film aspires to be both a sequel to The Incredible Hulk and a standalone Captain America story but fails to excel in either domain, leading to an unsatisfactory amalgamation that doesn't honor the legacy of either of its predecessors.
While the film hints at addressing significant themes such as race, national identity, and global politics, it lacks the nuance and depth required to engage with these topics meaningfully. The potential to provide insightful commentary is overshadowed by a superficial treatment that leaves these critical issues under-explored and unresolved. And the post-credits scene, traditionally a platform for exciting teases of future developments, falls flat, offering a moment that is both forgettable and inconsequential. It fails to generate anticipation or provide meaningful context for upcoming installments, marking a low point in the MCU's history of post-credits sequences.
Captain America: Brave New World epitomizes mediocrity within the superhero genre. It is neither overtly bad nor notably good, settling into a forgettable middle ground that contributes to the growing sentiment of superhero fatigue among audiences. The MCU's tendency to prioritize quantity over quality is evident here, as the film offers little beyond its commercial intent, lacking the creative spark that once defined the franchise. With upcoming projects like Thunderbolts* and Fantastic Four, Marvel Studios faces the critical task of reinvigorating its storytelling to recapture both critical acclaim and audience interest. As it stands, Captain America: Brave New World is a film that fails to leave a lasting impression and does little to advance the legacy of its titular hero. It's also a movie that, in short, I will never revisit again.