Captain America: Brave New World - Movie Review

Summary

In this spoiler-free review of *Captain America: Brave New World*, the reviewer discusses Sam Wilson’s journey as the new Captain America and the challenges he faces taking up Steve Rogers' mantle. While praising Anthony Mackie's portrayal, the review touches on the movie's slow pacing, occasional missed opportunities, and moments of rehashed MCU content. The action sequences, especially the Red Hulk fight, are noted for their CGI-heavy nature and some weak green screen effects. Despite its flaws, the film is considered enjoyable, with a few standout moments of character development and friendship, though some side characters feel underused and out of place.

Takeaways

• 😀 The MCU has a history of unresolved plot points and dangling cliffhangers, but this movie makes an effort to close some of those loops.
• 😀 The review avoids spoilers and is intentionally vague to preserve the surprise for viewers.
• 😀 Anthony Mackie stars as the new Captain America, with the film exploring Sam Wilson’s journey and his internal conflict about taking up the mantle.
• 😀 The movie acknowledges Sam Wilson's status as a new Captain America without the Super Soldier serum, highlighting the natural doubts he faces.
• 😀 Harrison Ford plays President Thaddeus Ross, providing a complex, morally gray character that contrasts with the more straightforward heroes.
• 😀 The pacing of the movie is criticized for being slow, with some parts feeling drawn out without sufficient payoff.
• 😀 The film borrows themes from other MCU movies, especially *Captain America: The Winter Soldier*, but some elements feel rehashed or unoriginal.
• 😀 There is a moment in the movie that references a previously forgotten MCU plot point (e.g., a Celestial being), which fans may appreciate.
• 😀 Action sequences are criticized for relying heavily on CGI, with some of the hand-to-hand combat scenes feeling sluggish and poorly executed.
• 😀 The green screen effects were sometimes jarring and unnatural, leading to an overall feeling of incomplete or lazy visual execution.
• 😀 Despite its flaws, the film is more enjoyable than expected, with a few solid moments of friendship and character moments that resonate with the audience.

Q & A

What is the main critique the reviewer has about *Captain America: Brave New World*?

The reviewer criticizes the film's pacing, CGI-heavy action sequences, and inconsistent execution. They feel that the movie borrows too much from other MCU films without fully innovating or delivering a satisfying experience.

How does the reviewer feel about Anthony Mackey's portrayal of Sam Wilson as Captain America?

The reviewer appreciates Anthony Mackey's portrayal of Sam Wilson as Captain America, particularly noting the movie's exploration of Sam's internal struggle with the role and legacy of being Captain America. However, they feel the film doesn't fully explore his character in the way it should.

What role does Harrison Ford play in *Captain America: Brave New World*, and how is his performance received?

Harrison Ford plays President Thaddeus Ross, a morally gray character. The reviewer praises Ford's performance, noting that he brings depth and layers to the character, even though the film doesn't fully utilize him.

What connection does the movie have to *Captain America: The Winter Soldier*?

The movie draws from *Captain America: The Winter Soldier* in terms of espionage and political intrigue. However, the reviewer notes that while it shares some thematic elements, the execution is not as tight or engaging as in *The Winter Soldier*.

How does the reviewer describe the action sequences in the film?

The reviewer finds the action sequences to be a mix of sluggish hand-to-hand combat and over-reliance on CGI. While some sequences, like the Red Hulk's appearance, are praised, others are criticized for looking unnatural or poorly executed.

What is said about the movie's reliance on CGI?

The reviewer comments that while the CGI is a staple of MCU films, in *Captain America: Brave New World*, some of the CGI action sequences, including flight and hand-to-hand combat, look unconvincing and lack polish.

What is the reviewer's opinion on the side characters and their roles in the film?

The reviewer feels that some of the side characters, including the new Falcon, are either annoying or poorly integrated into the story. They mention that certain side plots feel scattered or out of place, detracting from the overall narrative.

How does the movie address the concept of continuity in the MCU?

The movie touches on unresolved plot points from previous MCU films, offering some references and tie-ins that fans might appreciate. However, the reviewer feels that some of these plot threads are either ignored or not satisfactorily addressed in the film.

What is the reviewer's take on the film's pacing?

The reviewer criticizes the pacing of the film, calling it slow and lacking the necessary payoff to make the slow burn effective. They mention that there are moments where the film becomes boring, especially during stretches that don't lead to significant plot developments.

Is the movie considered a standout in the MCU by the reviewer?

No, the reviewer does not consider *Captain America: Brave New World* a standout in the MCU. While it has some interesting moments and tie-ins to past films, the reviewer feels it doesn't live up to the legacy of other MCU movies, especially in terms of execution and pacing.