On Feb. 14, Marvel Studios released their newest addition to the Captain America saga, centered around the former Falcon, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), as he takes on the mantle of the first avenger. The film packs a thrilling, politically-motivated plot with electrifying action and the highly teased debut of the Red Hulk. However, “Captain America: Brave New World” stagnates and becomes confusing at certain points with an influx of information and old plotlines resurfacing and suddenly becoming relevant, leading to a mixed viewing experience.
Following the events of “Avengers: Endgame” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” where the former Captain America gave Wilson his shield, and thus, his role and legacy, the new Captain America is tasked with cracking his biggest case yet — a string of internal set-ups to assassinate President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) and unfurl diplomacy efforts between the U.S. and other nations. “Brave New World” also features familiar faces from the show such as Joaquin Torres, the new Falcon (Danny Ramirez), and Isaiah Bradley, the Forgotten Captain America, one of many Black super soldiers who temporarily took on the mantle to fight the Winter Soldier before being locked away for trying to save his peers (Carl Lumbly).
The plot shifts between Captain America’s riveting investigation and the agitating affairs of President Ross, allowing the MCU to finally address the giant celestial that partially emerged in the Indian Ocean during the events of “Eternals.” Countless countries have claimed the body and found Adamantium, a new metal introduced to be somehow stronger than Vibranium, causing a weird plot hole in the continuum of the MCU by conflicting with previous lore. The metal does serve as a promising point for the future, notably because Wolverine is an adamantium-wielding superhero, possibly allowing the X-Men to be officially introduced to the universe.
President Ross, who previously appeared as a wartime general in “The Incredible Hulk,” (2008), also tackles his past throughout the course of the film. His reputation as a poor-tempered diplomat and his frayed relationship with his daughter, who once dated the Hulk, are reaffirmed several times as main plot points for his motives. Ford’s portrayal of him really shone through during the final half of the film, becoming more intense alongside the film. His slow descent into the Red Hulk made sense, though one notable flaw during his transformation was the CGI, which was very laughable during certain shots and brought down the intensity of the film.
Another confusing plot point was Agent Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas), President Ross’s security advisor and a former Red Room widow. Although her character helped push President Ross’s storyline and added to the tensity of the film, her origins are nothing short of distasteful. In the comics, Bat-Seraph is an Israeli superhero and agent for Mossad (Israel’s secret service) called Sabra, sharing a name with the horrific Sabra and Shatila massacre of 1982. After receiving much scrutiny for this when her inclusion was announced during development, the film tries to alienate this part of her by only touching on her Israeli heritage once and using her as a symbol of not being defined by one’s past, something she says almost verbatim as well. Though the message itself is powerful, having a known Zionist say it undermines its power. Ultimately, using her of all characters was a weird choice, even with her comic ties to the Hulk in consideration.
In contrast, a major highlight of “Brave New World” was the Leader (Tim Blake Nelson), the main villain and a mysterious shadowy figure puppeteering each threat towards Captain America and President Ross. Each time he appeared on screen, whether it was just his voice, his dimly lit face or his fully revealed look, the tone would quickly turn quiet and grim, making him even more menacing.
Oddly enough, though, in most trailers and press releases, the film paints Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito) as the main villain, despite his minimal involvement after the first act. His role and motives were also all over the place, making it hard to understand why he was involved with the Leader’s affairs. Nonetheless, Esposito’s performance was delightfully wicked and on-brand.
The camerawork throughout the film added to the tone significantly and helped sell the action-packed vibe. One of the most beautifully executed shots was when Captain America sliced through a rogue plane’s wings, intercepting it in a quick and crazy slow-motion shot.
Captain America’s dynamics with the supporting cast also uplifted the film’s mood and added emotional weight to their characters, thanks to Mackie’s charming portrayal. Unlike Steve Rogers during the later half of the MCU, Wilson felt much more relatable, being a minority holding the mantle of such an iconic character and serving as a role model, diplomat, and superhero for the people. His interactions with Torres and Bradley also significantly emphasized the human side of Captain America.
The film’s many reworks delayed its initial release in February 2024 to sort out many creative choices. According to reports by producer Nate Moore, Sidewinder’s inclusion was a last-minute decision, as well as focusing the tone of the film to be a political thriller. Overall, the new Captain America’s first film debut was a hair-raising watch, despite the many lows plot-wise and character-wise. Outside of this, the film doesn’t add much to the overall lore of the MCU and lacks relevancy.
“Brave New World” is expected to be available for streaming on Disney+ in May 2025.
