The 35th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe marks the first Captain America film in the MCU without Steve Rogers as the titular character. The moment Rogers handed his shield to Sam Wilson in Avengers: Endgame (2019) is an emotional one, but Sam doesn’t officially become Captain America until the end of the 2021 Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Brave New World starts off with Harrison Ford (replacing the late William Hurt) as Thaddeus Ross, now a newly elected US president. It’s pretty eerie to see another elderly white guy making a winning speech after this country’s own inauguration last month. Ross laments about his estrangement from his daughter Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), the former girlfriend of Bruce Banner aka the Hulk (the green one).

The solemn scene quickly transitions to a dynamic fight scene, showcasing Sam’s prowess and valor as the new Captain America. He’s outfitted with a new gear, his suit and wings are now made out of Vibranium, a gift from Wakanda. Anthony Mackie has always been a blast to watch as The Falcon and he’s quite charismatic as the new Cap. He brings a chill vibe, a jovial sense of humor, and a lively energy to the role, but he’s also mindful and introspective. Sam doesn’t take this new responsibility lightly and Mackie makes him relatable when he talks about whether he’d ever be enough.

Sam’s ally Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) practically steps into the Falcon role, and Ramirez has that spunky personality to match Mackie’s style. The two have an easy chemistry that makes for a fun superhero-buddy comedy duo, and they also shine in the serious moments when they discuss the moral quandary of their heroic roles. Talented Israeli actress Shira Haas joins the MCU as the president’s top security officer Ruth Bat-Seraph. She’s revealed to have been trained in the Red Room, so essentially she’s a Black Widow just like Natasha Romanoff.

Director Julius Onah keeps the pace well enough, he is also credited for the screenplay along with four other writers: Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, & Peter Glanz. If you think it might lead to a case of ‘too many cooks spoil the broth,’ you aren’t off base here. There was news of numerous reshoots, which is never a good thing.

While I’m glad to see that Brave New World is more of a grounded political thriller like The Winter Soldier, sadly it doesn’t really hit the same level of tension and sharp storytelling as the original Cap trilogy. There’s definitely some intrigue to keep things interesting, but it feels a bit too convoluted, yet it doesn’t give enough depth to some characters that show up early on. For example, seasoned actor Giancarlo Esposito is relegated to a one-dimensional ‘gun for hire’ role, which seems like a wasted opportunity. I guess there’s not much to hope for as his character name is Sidewinder. Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley, Marvel’s forgotten super-solider, is an integral part of the story. He gets to do an action-packed sequence but is pretty much absent for most of the film.

Narratively, the movie seems to be a strange mix between a follow-up to the 2008’s The Incredible Hulk with Edward Norton, and setting up the next phase of the MCU, as opposed to crafting a compelling journey for Sam as the new Captain America. Tim Blake Nelson reprises his role as Sam Sterns, and those who are familiar with the Hulk movies know instantly that he has something to do with how Ross becomes the Red Hulk. That’s not a spoiler as Ford as Red Hulk has been heavily promoted for months. For die-hard MCU fans, seeing those familiar faces is a real treat, but I do wonder if newer fans might feel a bit out of the loop when certain characters pop up with barely any backstory. I suppose it goes without saying that a little bit of MCU familiarity is a prerequisite in order to get the most out of this movie.

Speaking of familiar faces, Bucky also shows up briefly here; not as The Winter Soldier but as a politician, Senator James Buchanan Barnes. Having just seen Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump in The Apprentice makes seeing him a bit discombobulating for me. Casting-wise, Ford’s involvement is definitely the film’s highlight here. The 82-year-old adds another feather in his cap by starring in yet another lucrative action franchise. He could’ve just gone through the motions, but I applaud him for delivering a committed performance.

The way it stands now, The Winter Soldier remains my favorite of the entire Captain America franchise. I love how it plays like a high-stakes espionage thriller, punctuated by incredible action sequences. From the thrilling opening aboard a military ship to the intense hand-to-hand fights, the Russo brothers really nailed the pulse-pounding action. Plus, Henry Jackman’s dynamic score just adds to the excitement of every scene. The action scenes in this one, apart from the bombastic one involving the monstrous Red Hulk, are serviceable at best.

The score by Laura Karpman is unmemorable and at times I actually think it’s too loud and distracting. The worst part is the flat and drab visuals, likely the result of all the reshoots. Things look artificial and somehow it just doesn’t look like an expensive Marvel movie despite the $180 million budget. Top-notch production quality is what I expect from this franchise, so it’s disappointing when it doesn’t deliver.

Despite its title, this movie doesn’t really take any risks or break new ground. With a lackluster villain, blah visuals, and an anticlimactic ending, overall this is an underwhelming movie. I’ve long said that Marvel’s glory days seem to be behind us now and this is another proof of that.

What are your thoughts on Captain America: Brave New World?

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