“Captain America: Brave New World” brings audiences back to a more familiar Marvel Cinematic Universe after a year-long hiatus, as the R-rated multiversal “Deadpool and Wolverine” was the only installment theatrically in 2024.
While this film serves as the fourth installment in the “Captain America” franchise, it also picks up after the journey Sam Wilson went on to become Captain America in “Falcon and the Winter Soldier” on Disney+ and surprisingly picks up on storylines that have been absent from the MCU ever since “The Incredible Hulk” all the way back in 2008.
The film begins with Thadeus “Thunderbolt” Ross becoming the President of the United States of America. As he tries to move past his more aggressive militaristic past, he seeks to form unions with both Captain America and countries on a global scale, as the presence of a new element opens the door to a restructuring of global powers.
If that summary made it seem like Ross, now played by Harrison Ford [the previous actor, William Hurt passed away before filming], is the primary focus of the film, then you would not be far off. While Captain America is given the most screen time and action in the film, Ross is the one whose character arc is given the most care and attention.
Meanwhile, the film sets up a potentially good arc with Sam Wilson’s struggle to justify working under Ross out of fear of repeating Steve Roger’s concerns in “Captain America: Civil War,” but quickly drops this arc in favor of treading similar ground as “Falcon and the Winter Soldier” and readdressing his concerns of not being strong enough to be Captain America.
The action does strike a balance to keep some grounded choreography found in the previous “Captain America” films while also allowing for scenes where Wilson makes full use of his wings against the likes of regular villains, jets and a new superpowered threat.
Both forms of action worked well for me, as the more grounded scenes served to showcase that despite not being enhanced by the super soldier serum, he is still a formidable fighter, and the high-flying action scenes brought a new dimension to the film and often featured the most creativity.
Others to highlight in the cast are Joaquin Torris, the new Falcon played by Danny Ramirez, who brings some good moments of comedy despite mostly disappearing in the background. Isaiah Bradley, the forgotten Captain America, reprised by Carl Lumbly brings a good emotional core to the film. Although given little screen time, he often is the highlight of every scene he is in and is a driving force of the emotional stakes throughout the film.
We are also introduced to both Sidewinder, Giancarlo Esposito and Ruth, Shira Haas, who, although both get a decent amount of screen time and appearances in marketing, are given very little substance in the film itself.
“Captain America: Brave New World” delivers on a fun action film. It falters a bit regarding the development of any plots, hindering its standout from the pantheon of great superhero films; however, it never fails so poorly to be considered among the worst either. Ultimately, it is a prime example of the Marvel formula in full effect, ensuring a good time but not much more.
