It’s the 4th “Captain America” feature film with Anthony Mackie now holding the shield. Our J.P. gives his thoughts on Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World.”
Captain America: Brave New World
Marvel Studios / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Directed by Julius Onah
- Screenplay by Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, Julius Onah, Peter Glanz
- Story by Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson
- Based on Marvel Comics
- Produced by Kevin Feige, Nate Moore
- Starring Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Xosha Roquemore, Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, Harrison Ford
Studio Synopsis:
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red. Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Brave New World” stars Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Xosha Roquemore, with Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford. The film is directed by Julius Onah and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore. Louis D’Esposito and Charles Newirth serve as executive producers. The screenplay is by Rob Edwards and Malcolm Spellman & Dalan Musso and Julius Onah & Peter Glanz with story by Rob Edwards and Malcolm Spellman & Dalan Musson. “Captain America: Brave New World” opens in U.S. theaters on February 14, 2025.
J.P.’s Take:
Marvel’s forte is creating action-packed, frenetic and energetic and, many times, thought provoking hero flicks for a massive fan base. With “Captain America: Brave New World” — the fourth installment in the “Captain America” film series and a continuation of the story from the TV miniseries, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” — the filmmakers and cast obviously don’t disappoint in that arena. Yet, I want to push the mundane aside and take a closer look at Captain and what he represents.
“Captain America” is an esteemed superhero known for his commitment to truth, justice, and honor. Fans across the globe have feasted their eyes upon this golden child, as he passionately fights for these ideals on behalf of all walks of life.
Since his creation, his character has evolved and his core values has remained a constant throughout his journey. Now that Anthony Mackie carries that mantle, it’s likely audiences will have varying and visceral reactions as he navigates the shifting socio-political issues facing our country.
With America’s tainted history in mind, Sam Wilson / Captain America (Mackie) must hedge a battle on two fronts. The first battle is Sam and president Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford, replacing the late William Hurt in the role) must set aside their differences in order to quench an arms race, which was sparked by the emergence of a dead Celestial being named Tiamut, now called Celestial Island. The second battle is to save close friend Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), who was once a super soldier, from impending life time imprisonment after he was involved in an assassination attempt of the president.
What charge this particular Captain America outing forward is the political differences between Sam vs. President Ross. Ross, being a former (and dishonorable) General, is seen as a detriment to the nation due to his past. Sam, despite his valiant role of Captain America, feels Ross can change for the better; yet, they must overcome their volatile past. It is in these moments one might ask why Sam Wilson is so adamant about saving a nation that hasn’t always done the right things by its citizens or its allies … especially when working with a president who is considered underhanded. If you remember those moments from “The Incredible Hulk,” Thaddeus Ross was responsible for creating the super soldier project and inadvertently turns the soldier Emil Blonsky into a Hulk-like creature they called The Abomination, and Ross placed the Avengers under surveillance during the time of “Avengers: Civil War.”
If you place “Brave New World” in today’s tense and eruptive political climate, you have a story that almost mirrors issues plaguing our nation and our relationship with other countries. There is discord among those in the White House even now, while our allies try to find their footing in the political arena, given the new administration. Sam is also keenly aware of the atrocities our nation has inflicted upon our men and women in the armed forces. I found that the focus of this particular plot fell mostly on saving Sam’s dear friend Isaiah Bradly, as we find out that he’s been experimented on for years. The story as a whole becomes an argument or debate; however, you choose to look at the situation: of race and political standing vs our innate instinct for self-preservation. I won’t get too deep into a history lesson here, as this movie will not solve any of these incredibly complex issues in under two hours.
Much in the same vein of “Black Panther” and the subsequent “Captain America” outings, “Captain America: Brave New World” is a film that volleys back and forth with all sorts of socio-political ideals, but it never has any real world solutions. However, this has always been Marvel’s claim to fame: to allow the reader — in this case viewer — to contemplate these trials and tribulations for ourselves.
As for its aesthetics, “Brave New World” has the feel of a 60s / 70s espionage film, only with much more advanced gadgetry, weapons and vehicles. The style is also more understated than what you’d find in previous Marvel outputs; yet, no less exciting and flashy.
I felt the cast put forth convincing and intuitiveness performances. I liked the spunkiness between Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford with scenes between them calling for contentious exchanges of views.
Along with Mackie and Ford, all of the cast members had integral roles to the effect of creating tension and intrigue. The supporting cast includes Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, a.k.a (the new) Falcon; Xosha Roquemore as secret service agent Leila Taylor; Shira Haas as former “Black Widow” agent Ruth Bat-Seraph; Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns a.k.a Leader; Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Copperhead; Takehiro Hira as Japanese Prime Minister Ozaki; and Giancarlo Esposito as Seth Voelker, a.k.a Sidewinder. Additionally, Liv Tyler makes a cameo appearance as Betty Ross, daughter to Thaddeus Ross.
“Captain America: Brave New World” may not create major waves with even the staunchest of fans, but this is a worthy gateway to the next phase in Marvel’s lineup. The film carries with it some end credit scenes which will set up a couple films in “Captain America” as well as the “Avengers” sagas. I look forward to more.
Official Site: Captain America: Brave New World
