For the last decade and a half, Disney has been churning out Marvel films with regularity. Fans got used to receiving a few films a year, each carefully crafted and strategically released to form a cohesive universe — or multiverse. But since “Avengers: Endgame” — briefly the highest-grossing film of all time — decisively closed a phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, subsequent shows and movies have felt rushed. While the MCU seems to be returning to creativity and cohesion — summer releases “Thunderbolts*” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” look promising — “Captain America: Brave New World” is a remnant of the hurried, poorly written, largely for-profit era.
The film picks up after the miniseries “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” with Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) having fully taken up the Captain America mantle. Air Force Lieutenant Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) effectively fills Wilson’s former role as the Falcon, Captain America’s sidekick. Wilson and Torres work with President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) to continue the hero’s job, neutralizing threats to the world’s population. Bringing these three characters back feels natural — Wilson and Torres maintain the humorous dynamic first seen between Wilson and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) in “Avengers: Endgame,” and Ross continues to be at odds with Captain America, the Avengers and superheroes in general.
But in a move completely hidden from trailers and previews, the film’s real villain is Dr. Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) — a biologically mutated doctor from the widely hated 2008 film “The Incredible Hulk.” It’s clear that the film’s five writers know that even most die-hard MCU fans haven’t seen that movie, as a painfully large amount of time in “Captain America: Brave New World” is dedicated to explaining Sterns’s origin. Much like the rest of the film, these explanations are grating and poorly written, taking away from otherwise charming performances.
To their credit, Mackie, Ford and Carl Lumbly — who plays super soldier Isaiah Bradley — are captivating actors. Lumbly’s moments expertly infuse depth and emotion into a lackluster story. Ford captures the irritating, angry energy of the late William Hurt, who portrayed Ross throughout the majority of the MCU’s development. Audiences know that Red Hulk — who Ross transforms into — will surface at some point in the movie, and Ford adeptly builds momentum toward this climactic moment. Mackie similarly channels the essence of Evans’s Captain America — the passion, fierce loyalty and stern dedication are all still present — but his humor and wit are all his own.
Despite the bad writing, Mackie is undoubtedly worthy of this part. Even more so, he and this new version of the hero deserved a fresh start. Sure, the best thematic elements of “Brave New World” — the struggle of being a Black Captain America, the difference between being a hero with powers and a hero without — are reiterations of motifs that appeared in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Yet all the show’s best features — the grit, the fully fleshed-out story, the real feeling of friendship between characters — are left behind in favor of retooled storylines and jokes that never land. The writers assume audiences will be invested because we’ve seen these characters before, but that is simply not the case. Aside from Ross’s turn to Red Hulk, there was scant character development, assuming the characters even had much motivation to start with. If it weren’t for the suits, serums and powers, “Brave New World” would barely pass for a Marvel film.
Mackie’s Captain America certainly has promise. With more inspired writing and purposeful storytelling, the character could return to what he was before — the main hero and carrier of a franchise. If Marvel’s summer releases truly deliver on expectations, Captain America’s return to force could even come sooner rather than later. But given the recent downward spiral of MCU films, there’s no guarantee that Mackie’s Captain America will ever live to his full potential.
Gabriella is a senior from Los Angeles, concentrating in English, Modern Culture and Media, and Literary Arts. If she’s not at the movies, you can find her coaching the Dodgers from her dorm, plotting her future Big Brother win or perfecting her chocolate chip cookie recipe.
