The newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Captain America: Brave New World,” is the fourth Captain America movie but the first with Sam Wilson taking up the mantle. The film picks up relatively soon after the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Wilson is now the new Captain America, and after Thaddeus Ross becomes the next president of the United States, he enlists Wilson to work with him to reform the Avengers, despite their tumultuous past.
I think “Captain America: Brave New World” is an above-average film with many high points but also several rushed aspects. The biggest problem is that the audience is ahead of the characters because of the trailers. The movie centers on the mystery of who Thaddeus Ross really is, what his goals are, and why he is so connected to Samuel Sterns, the overarching villain. Since the audience already knows Ross’ true identity, his transformation into Red Hulk, and what led to it, there’s little suspense. The investigation into the Red Hulk and Sterns’ role in the conspiracy is well-executed, but there’s no real payoff because viewers already know exactly when Ross will transform.
Another issue is the character of Ruth Bat-Seraph. Outside of the movie itself, she has been a source of controversy, which I won’t get into. However, the film doesn’t seem to know what it wants her character to be. She undergoes at least three major changes throughout the story, which isn’t necessarily a problem on its own. The issue is that the movie never explains why she shifts so drastically. There’s a throwaway line near the beginning meant to establish her, but it doesn’t clarify why she transitions from being a defensive expert to suddenly having a superhero-like costume. She’s one of those characters who could have been removed entirely without affecting the plot and the film might have been stronger for it.
That said, there’s a lot of good in this movie. Production-wise, it is solid, capturing the classic Marvel feel that recent films have lacked. The tone balances serious action with the lighthearted humor characteristic of the MCU. The acting is another highlight, almost everyone delivers a strong performance, and the emotional beats land well. The pacing is also on point, moving fast enough to keep audiences engaged while allowing room to process the story.
All in all, “Captain America: Brave New World” is a good movie, but its marketing holds it back. It sets up the next phase of Marvel films and includes fun callbacks to past movies in a well-organized and entertaining way. I give Captain America: Brave New World a 3.5/5.
