Review of "Captain America: Brave New World"
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
A study recently showed that a few highly influential “influencers” who create bad buzz around movies, TV shows, books, games and comics actually do have an effect on revenue. Seeing this film went through extensive reshoots and took forever to be released, I’m thinking we maybe seeing the first casualty movie to influencers.
When I watched "Captain America: Brave New World," I couldn't help but feel a mix of nostalgia and disappointment. Despite the publicity implying a tribute to 70s thrillers, the film traverses the globe with grand ambitions, featuring fantastic locations and even Harrison Ford as a big red Hulk. However, these elements seemed to lack cohesion, leaving the movie feeling disjointed and underwhelming.
The movie appears to be an attempt by Marvel to erase the bad taste left by Phase IV. It makes references to the 2008 "Incredible Hulk" instead of the much-maligned "She-Hulk" TV series, which faced criticism from right-wing YouTubers and bloggers. Additionally, it provides an excuse for audiences to revisit the "Eternals," the first true Marvel "flop," which also faced considerable backlash. The reappearance of the "celestial body" from the "Eternals" serves as a segue to introduce Adamantium into the MCU, paving the way for the reveal of Mutants under the Disney banner.
One of the major flaws of the film is the lack of character development for Sam Wilson. As the new Captain America, Sam still feels like a side character with no personal stakes to fight for. Unlike Steve Rogers, who had Peggy Carter and Bucky, Sam only has the legacy of Steve Rogers and a new sidekick taking on the Falcon mantle. This lack of personal investment makes it difficult for audiences to connect with his character.
While the movie is entertaining, it suffers from a sense of confusion, possibly due to rewrites to remove certain controversial elements (having an Israeli assassin whispering into the President’s ear probably wouldn’t sit too well). The absence of Steve Rogers continues to weigh heavy, not just on the characters, but on the film itself. Marvel's struggle to recreate the magic of "The Avengers" and its spinoffs is evident, and "Captain America: Brave New World" falls short of expectations.
"Captain America: Brave New World" is a film with ambitious ideas and grand visuals, but it ultimately feels disjointed and underwhelming. Sam Wilson's character lacks development, and the movie struggles to find its footing without Steve Rogers. While it offers some entertainment, it is a far cry from the magic Marvel once delivered. Ahh, to be early 20 oughts again.