Captain America Brave New World review: Prior to the commencement of the screening for Captain America: Brave New World, audiences are presented with the trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps. In this preview, the character Thing expresses his desire to incorporate garlic into a recipe to enhance its flavour. If you are curious as to why I am referencing an unreleased film within a review of Captain America, it serves as an indication of the latter's lack of engagement. Furthermore, the garlic metaphor aptly encapsulates Brave New World. While the film boasts an array of elements—spectacular action, impressive visual effects, formidable villains, and typical Marvel dialogue—it ultimately falls short of delivering the essential spark, the emotional depth that would elevate it beyond a mere tedious experience.

What is Captain America: Brave New World about

Captain America: Brave New World centres on Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as he officially assumes the role of Captain America, succeeding Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). Much like his character, Mackie appears to be contending with a profound sense of impostor syndrome. The desire to validate oneself as the rightful Captain America serves as a meta-theme that intertwines the actor and his role. This narrative thread had the potential for meaningful exploration. However, under the direction of Marvel and Julius Onah, Captain America is portrayed as an overly eager student striving to gain the approval of his superior.

In Brave New World, the newly inaugurated President Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross (Harrison Ford) confronts the emergence of a Celestial from beneath the Earth's surface. Scientists have discovered a new metal known as Adamantium (a nod to the X-Men), and Ross aims to rally global governments to extract more of it. This treaty is intended to be his legacy, yet a nefarious antagonist seeks to thwart it, even at the cost of igniting a global conflict. Captain America and the new Falcon (Danny Ramirez) must set aside their differences with Ross to avert disaster.

Where the film flounders

Brave New World presents itself as a compelling Captain America thriller, where the soldier-investigator is tasked with piecing together clues to confront the antagonist. This formula proved successful in The Winter Soldier and Civil War; however, it ultimately falters here due to its predictable narrative. The screenplay, crafted by Rob Edwards alongside the writing teams of Malcolm Spellman & Dalan Musson and Onah & Peter Glanz, fails to capture the engaging essence that characterized earlier Marvel works. The plot is riddled with foreseeable twists and unconvincing red herrings, rendering the experience less stimulating.

The film's narrative meanders, with only a few standout moments, such as the appearance of a beloved antihero, the poignant scenes featuring Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumby), and the presence of Harrison Ford. Beyond these highlights, the film struggles to evoke any emotional response. During the Infinity Saga, the MCU had a remarkable ability to foster connections, even in its less successful entries (such as Thor: The Dark World), a quality that is notably absent here.

The dialogue and exchanges are, at best, awkward. Marvel films have established a reputation for their witty repartee and memorable quotes, yet this film lacks such charm. It feels as though an AI with a limited grasp of human interaction generated the script, and the director proceeded with it, banking on the visual effects and action sequences to distract from the shortcomings.

The only segment that truly captured my attention was the Red Hulk's introduction. The 15-minute sequence showcasing the destruction caused by the supervillain in Washington DC stands out as the film's highlight, evoking memories of Norton's The Incredible Hulk. As CGI Harrison Ford transforms into Red Ross (a reference that may elude those unfamiliar with Friends), Captain America finally encounters a formidable adversary. However, the true antagonist, The Leader, resembles a lacklustre version of Zemo, manipulating events from the shadows in a manner that feels both transparent and unthreatening.

Is this the future of MCU?

Captain America: Brave New World is a lacklustre and forgettable film. Nevertheless, it surpasses many recent offerings from Marvel. The fact that this film lays the groundwork for upcoming Avengers and X-Men projects should raise concerns within Marvel Studios. If this represents the tone and quality that the Marvel Cinematic Universe intends to pursue moving forward, the future of the franchise may be in jeopardy.

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