Mediocrity is an unfortunate quality that can be easily strewn on any piece of media. Unvetted, unreleased movies are particularly susceptible, as judgment is largely limited to casts and trailers. As such, upcoming films can easily appear bland in the months of their leadup, and Captain America: Brave New World was no exception. It seemed to follow the classic superhero movie format: an existential threat, a new villain, a game-changing MacGuffin, and, of course, a renowned actor (Harrison Ford): not exactly a recipe for a good time. As such, it seemed doomed to fall flat.
Upon release, however, the latest addition to the Captain America saga was able to put such fears to rest, proving itself a competent Marvel movie. Despite lacking in flair, Captain America: Brave New World is worth its two-hour runtime.
It would seem that the word “satisfactory” is accurate to describe the latest Captain America flick, but it does not go without its caveats. For one, Sam Wilson taking up Steve Rogers’ legacy (and shaping it to his own style) can feel uncomfortable for longtime Marvel enjoyers. Steve Rogers as the first Avenger was a cornerstone of the Marvel Universe for over a decade, and the rapid pivot from him to his sidekick was startling. Wilson donning the title of Captain America seemed an inappropriate farewell to the beloved original Captain, who retired at the end of Avengers: Endgame. While Rogers passing the shield to someone else was logical, seeing a new claimant to the Captain America throne in its entirety on the big screen, regardless of their worthiness, was off-putting.
Beyond loyalty to mainstream Marvel characters, Captain America: Brave New World was also lackluster in its theme. While superhero movies, especially those manufactured in vast intellectual properties like Marvel and D.C., don’t tend to harbor poignant plotlines, many of them are at least fueled by some kind of profound question: For example, Captain America: Civil War was driven by the debate over superheroes’ duty of transparency to the world. The movie posed an unsolvable philosophical dilemma worthy of deep spection, which then provided the basis for the rest of the movie.
That was something that the new Captain America missed. No moral question, technological argument, or patriotic motive drove the story. Instead, the movie’s plot was shaped by a disillusioned genius and his comrade-turned-president-slash-enemy, plus the desire of a rookie Captain America to withhold destruction from an innocent society.
Undoubtedly, Wilson has a noble cause, as has been proven by his predecessors who fought evil in order to protect innocents. That aspect of the movie was its most profound, which indeed provided an ethical corner of the film’s plot but failed to extraordinarily distinguish it from its peers.
What did make the film remarkable, however, was its apt depiction of geopolitics. In an era of sparse natural resources and global bickering, nations must either collaborate or fight. Captain America: Brave New World colorfully illustrates that process, with the invaluable adamantium housed on Celestial Island becoming a hot topic among powerful states across the planet. After talks over a resource-sharing deal between American president Thaddeus Ross and his Japanese counterpart break down, the two nations careen toward war as both stand firm on their claims to the precious metal.
Another reason to watch Sam Wilson’s first adventure as Captain America is, simply, its fun factor. A lynchpin of any well-made action movie, a clear-cut conflict and beautiful choreography were not missing from the latest Captain America movie. While the movie’s message could be stronger, its story, combat scenes, and spirit do not disappoint. The typical display of heroic might during the opening scenes was a spectacle, and the final act concluded the movie well and provided closure. Keeping in line with other Marvel productions, the post-credit scene kept the door open for a sequel, but it fortunately didn’t jeopardize the established resolution to the movie’s story.
Similarly, the movie’s graphics, although occasionally hit-or-miss, were mostly executed well. In particular, the transformation of President Ross into the Red Hulk was a highlight.
Was Captain America: Brave New World a masterpiece? In many ways, no. However, it still proved itself worthy of its 118-minute watch time. It isn’t “mediocre” – a welcome discrepancy from its underwhelming lead-up. With that in mind, it seems Captain America’s story continues in the body of a new hero. It’s not what the world needs, but it’s what it got.
