I’m a Marvel fan, but I’m also not blind. I realize there are flaws with ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, and I can understand why the boo birds have taken flight much like the new, winged titular hero of this franchise. But….personal opinion, here, of course…I believe both time and quantity have jaded the comic book faithful just a wee bit. ‘Brave New World’ isn’t a bad movie by any stretch of the imagination, and to suggest it is….again, from my corner….isn’t so much a statement of quality, rather frustration that it isn’t what it used to be.
And maybe, just maybe….that’s NOT such a bad thing.
For starters, I like Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, the former Falcon, as the new Cap. Mackie has been a solid supporting solider in the Marvel universe and deserves the opportunity to headline one of these babies. And adding Harrison Ford as a high profile blistering red thorn in his paw only adds to the fun – and really, this sequel is probably more fun than brilliant. I’m okay with that.
Inheriting the role of Thaddeus Ross from the late William Hurt, Ford gets his second run at playing the President of the United States (he was the POTUS in 1997’s ‘Air Force One’), only this time, the prez is no good guy. As the deranged general who endangered the world by targeting the Avengers, Ross is now intent on showing Cap and the world that he’s a changed man, wanting to work together Wilson and his friends. But when the original super solider, Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) becomes the pawn in an unknown threat’s attempt to disrupt the White House’s Celestial World Summit, Sam and his partner Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), the new Falcon, are once again on the defensive against the government, all while trying to find the threat and prevent a world war.
I don’t think we need to sound the alarm for a spoiler alert in saying that Ross, through gamma treatment, eventually becomes the Red Hulk….the scenes were all over the trailers and advertisements and yes, it’s cool! What’s not as prominent in the build up for ‘Brave New World’ was Giancarlo Esposito’s appearance as the villain Sidewinder….ALSO very, very cool, albeit not near lengthy enough to fully enjoy. Hopefully he’ll return.
Again, it’s all in fun, like a comic book movie should be. ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ ain’t the best Marvel movie to be released, but, c’mon gang….this is FAR from the worst.
