Set after “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Steve Rogers’ successor, Sam Wilson becomes Captain America. He uncovers a sinister plot linked to an assassination attempt. Meanwhile, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford taking over the late William Hurt’s role) is elected president of the United States. He plans to negotiate a treaty with other countries of a newly discovered material stronger than Vibranium.
“Captain America: Brave New World” is out in theaters. Unlike the previous solo movies, the fourth entry earned mixed reviews. In three months, “Thunderbolts” will be released on May 2, 2025. The exact same month I’ll be going to Fan Expo Dallas 2025 which starts on the 30th. I got plans to write an editorial on it.
Today’s review contains SPOILERS. If you haven’t got a chance to see the latest MCU movie, read at your own risk.
Mighty & Weak Qualities
Mighty: Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Giancarlo Esposito, Rosa Salazar, Carl Lumbly (Martian Manhunter from Bruce Timm’s Justice League) & Tim Blake Nelson all did a superb job for their respective performances.
Fun Fact: Mr. Ford previously played a U.S. President in “Air Force One.” Brave New World wasted a golden opportunity to let him say, “Get off my plane!’
Action Sequences are decent. My favorite’s the Opening Scene with Sam duking out Sidewinder’s henchmen.
Laura Karpman (Taken mini-series, Marvel’s What If) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Humor has a few funny moments. Sam’s new sidekick, Joaquin Torres was hilarious.
Visual Effects are sometimes good and sometimes bad.
Cinematography was shot carefully without suffering from technical problems.
For the first time in the MCU, Adamantium is introduced. It plays a crucial role. Has zero connection to Weapon X or Lady Deathstrike’s father who was a scientist working on the material. Good thing Marvel’s setting up a future X-Men movie.
Sebastian Stan & Liv Tyler make cameo appearances reprising their roles as Bucky Barnes & Betty Ross.
A Post-Credits Scene sets up “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
Julius Onah did a poor job directing. He didn’t double check the script for potential rewrites. I looked up his filmography. He directed “The Cloverfield Paradox.” That explains why.
Red Hulk only appears in Act 3. When I saw him heavily marketed in merchandise, I expected Red Hulk featured prominently. It was all a lie. Marvel pulled a “Kangaroo Jack” on me. EGADS! Ang Lee’s Hulk has more screentime than Red Hulk! Heck, I bought a collectible cup with Red Hulk on top of a lid!
Again, Visual Effects are sometimes good, sometimes bad. You can tell there’s a Green Screen during Sam’s confrontation with Red Hulk.
Samuel Sterns’ scheme involving brainwashing super soldiers is a blatant rehash of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”
I didn’t take Ruth Bat-Seraph seriously. Why? Because she’s a child sized version of Rachel Dratch. A homely comedian known for Debbie Downer on SNL. It would’ve been slightly better if a casting director hired an actress with good looks and put on lifts to match Sam’s height.
Sam’s climatic battle with Red Hulk felt anti-climactic. He calms him down by taking him to a field of cherry blossom trees in order to bring up a memory of his daughter, Betty. It would’ve been effective if Betty came in person taming his father.
The Final Verdict: C-
Captain America: Brave New World is not on the same level as “Deadpool and Wolverine.” It’s one the same level as “Eternals.” I regret giving the latter movie a higher grade. It doesn’t hold up. I’m incredibly bias when it comes to Marvel. Overtime, my perspective on superhero movies change overtime. I also regret praising the theatrical cut of “Justice League,” David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” and “Wonder Woman 1984.”
It’s too late to make a Hulk movie with Mark Ruffalo. Marvel and Disney Plus done Bruce Banner dirty. Turning him into a deadbeat dad in “She-Hulk.” At least Brave New World finally introduced Adamantium in the MCU. It’ll be difficult to find a new actor filling in Hugh Jackman’s shoes as Wolverine. He’s irreplicable like Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.
Hate to break it to ya fellow Marvel fans, save your money, wait for it to stream on Disney Plus. Reminder, my hype level for Thunderbolts is super low. I’m giving “The Fantastic Four: The First Steps” a chance. I hope it does justice. All we can do is cross our fingers.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 