'Captain America: Brave New World' Lacks the Bravery to Tell Anything Original
Marvel's post-Endgame troubles continue. With the exception of Spider-Man: No Way Home, we haven't gotten to watch anything of true quality. Even the first phase of Marvel films is more impressive than Phase 4 or whichever phase this is. Captain America: Brave New World lacks the structure, substance, and excitement that made the first three Captain America movies so special. The Avengers are disassembled, and each villain is more of a villain of the week than an ongoing threat. Some moments are quite impressive in the new Marvel film. But they're so few and far between that it doesn't make much of a difference to the greater narrative. The film is so underwhelming it makes it questionable why it exists in the first place. Other than setting up new characters for future films, why should audiences care about this film?
With The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson's (Anthony Mackie) transition to being Captain America felt pretty much complete. Brave New World is more of a continuation that doesn't lead to anywhere other than a predictable point. Even with avoiding trailers, I couldn't help but be spoiled by the film's final, big reveal. Unless you haven't been around a smartphone or the television, you know what happens to Harrison Ford's character. Here's where marketing becomes troublesome for Marvel. From Comic-Con to trailers, it's been revealed that Harrison turns into a red Hulk. If the movie had more going for it, I wouldn't have minded them giving away that plot point. The only problem is that it's set up as the movie's big reveal. So why give that away?
There have been multiple rumors about this film undergoing multiple reshoots, and the proof is in the pudding. The screenplay is hollow, forgetting what made us love Captain America in the first place. Before Sam Wilson, the previous Cap was a man who stood against his country when they wanted to engage in unnecessary surveillance and warfare. He was also a man who stood up for other people instead of giving up on them, even when it cost him his friendships. In fairness, this Cap is very much the same. During the movie's inciting incident, we are led to believe that one of Sam's friends is not a villain despite doing one of the most villainous things you can think of. As Sam investigates the matter that President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) advises against, a greater truth is learned that can afford Sam everything. Like Steve Rogers, he won't give up on his friend. This plot point would be interesting if it weren't done already by a better picture.
When James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes (Sebastian Stan) went up against the country, Steve Rogers's (Chris Evans) defense of an old friend became personal, igniting a civil war between him and the Avengers. When Sam decides to defend his friend, there are no other Avengers to bounce back against him, causing a lack of a significant rift in character relationships. The movie is too preoccupied with Sam delivering motivational speeches than him actually being as motivating as Steve Rogers.
The plot of Captain America: Brave New World is boringly familiar. Admittedly, the villain, played by Tim Blake Nelson, does have a sympathetic backstory that makes us understand why he performs his villainous acts. Unfortunately, Nelson's character is so easily apprehended he doesn't pose much of a threat. That is unless you see the film's post-credits scene, which sets up possibly a larger villain. Or just another disappointment. The post-credits scene usually leads to a character who shows up that's unfamiliar or insignificant in the grand scheme of things. After such a weak film, what could you introduce that will make me excited to see Sam Wilson return?
Couple these problems with a subplot in which America is trying to obtain adamantium from Japan, causing a global conflict that Cap resolves, and you have quite a messy movie. At times, the film can be all over the place, not knowing what it wants to say. Japan doesn't want to cooperate with the United States (probably because we're crazy for power), causing conflict between nations. There are the occasional action scenes that have some impressive stunts. One particular scene involves Cap dodging incoming missiles and safely downing American aircraft targeting Japanese plains. Even with its cool acrobatics there's not much to grasp onto. Oh, and Giancarlo Esposito plays a villain who leaves no real impact on the narrative. He's just kind of there. Also, can we stop casting Giancarlo Esposito as a bad guy? It's become a cliche.
Captain America: Brave New World isn't brave or new. It's very much the same, with a sense of disorganization. It's not a total mess, but its jumping from one villain to the next is a sign of a movie where there are too many producers in the meeting room. There's a lack of a solid foundation for the movie to back itself upon. Maybe Marvel really has met its day.
