And what’s a wonderful movie vacation spot for this big four-day (yeah, I’m counting Valentine’s) weekend? Well, if you and the little tykes aren’t “heading South” to join that lil’ bear and the Browns in Peru, then you may want to book a return trip to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) at the multiplex. It has been a while, more than six months since that monumental match-up of DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, which was the only MCU flick of 2024 (we don’t count the Sony Spidey spin-offs). Being a longtime “Marvel buff” (still wear my M.M.M.S. button to the new flicks), folks ask me about my favorite of the “franchises”. Not counting the big “team’ series, the Avengers, I’d say it’s been the exploits of the “star-spangled man with a plan”, and not because he’s my favorite comics hero. The trio of Steve Rogers epics maintains a high level of quality, not missing a step from the first one from director Joe Johnson to the Russo Brothers helming the last two. But now the reigns have been handed over to a new filmmaker and more importantly that shield is now in the gloved hands of a new “sentinnel of liberty” for the fourth installment, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD.
The story’s prologue takes place only a few months ago, during the last days of the presidential campaign of former General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford). Fast forward to now as new President Ross, who had hunted down “masked vigilantes”, sends one of those “heroes” out to join a Special Forces squad down in Mexico to rescue some hostages held by the terror group the Serpent Society, and retrieve a mysterious cylinder AKA “the package”. And who’s leading the charge but the new Captain America Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) aided by his new Falcon, Air Force ace Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez). The mission is successful although head Serpent Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito) escapes without revealing the name of the “buyer” for the “Package’ who had arranged the meet-up spot in a Mexican church. Sam catches up with Joaquin, who sustained some damage from the battle. He may need some more training, so the duo heads to Baltimore to meet up with Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), a Korean War vet who was wrongly incarcerated and experimented on with a new Super Soldier formula. Sam invites Isaiah to join them in DC for a big international summit held by Ross. But as he begins his speech concerning the harvesting of a lifeless gigantic alien creature in the Indian Ocean, dubbed the Celestial Island Initiative, Isaiah, in a trance-like state, whips out a gun and fires on the Prez as several other agents, also ‘zoned-out”, blast away. After a brief chase the now lucid Isaiah has no recollection of his attack. Is he one of several mind-controlled “sleeper agents”? Does this connect to the Serpents and their “buyer”? And just what are those pills that Ross secretly gulps down in times of stress? Is there a fiendish mastermind pulling the strings somewhere in the shadows? This may be the ultimate test to prove that Sam is truly worthy of that Vibranium red-white-and-blue shield…
Well, Mackie is certainly worthy of the lead title role in this new chapter in Cap’s big-screen saga. He brings a swaggering confidence and energy in the many action sequences, especially in the big hostage rescue early in the first act. But as things calm down a bit Mackie shows us Sam’s vulnerability, struggling with bouts of self-doubt and feeling the burden of his new very public role (and being a role model). He never loses that easygoing aura of coolness, tossing off some great asides. And then there’s his “boss of bosses” screen icon Ford who dives right into the role first played by the late great William Hurt. Happily, we get a flashback of him in full military regalia complete with a bushy mustache. His version of Ross is different as he tries to change from a braying “brass-buster” to a statesman who is learning to trust those “enhanced heroes” now that he’s in the Oval Office. But Ford shows us his weariness and inner sadness due to his estrangement from his adored daughter Betty. Ramirez is an endearing wise guy so eager to prove himself by soaring into the fray, Torres. At the opposite extreme is the worn-down but not out, cynical Isaiah given dignity and gravitas by Lumbly. Esposito is a silky smooth criminal as the sneering “master of mayhem” Sidewinder. An interesting new screen addition to the MCU is the intense and compelling Shira Haas as Ruth, the petite powerhouse that’s in charge of protecting Ross. Oh, and there’s the return of an actor from the earlier days of the MCU . Tim Blake Nelson is back (from 2008’s THE INCREDIBLE HULK) as the brilliant but sinister Samuel Sterns, though he’s not the only familiar face (hey, I’m no spoiler).
That new name on the director’s chair belongs to Julius Onah, who last gave us the smart thriller LUCE back in 2019. He’s adapted well to the MCU, giving a sizzling snap to the frenetic battles, putting us in the thick of the chaos while conveying the bone-crunching panic and the need for rapid strategies (Sam has to deal with any surprises in the blink of an eye). Plus he supplies an added layer of suspense even in some dialogue-heavy exchange in those dark meeting rooms and offices (and a bunker). Later Onah expands his scope as the conflict heads to the very open high seas with Sam and Joaquin in full TOP GUN mode. And Onah is to be commended for bringing the story in at just two hours sparing us the frequent super-hero cinematic ‘bloat”, though five or six minutes could have been trimmed. That editing might have helped with the big villain reveal since the makeup choices and motivations feel a bit forced despite the team of five screenwriters. Still, I wasn’t expecting the “deep dives” as they retrieved elements of that second MCU flick in 2008 while taking its “McGuffin” from the lambasted ETERNALS. Much of that will be forgiven as a comics fan favorite, the very savage rampaging Red Hulk roars into action to provide a ferocious finale fight (since Bruce Banner’s Hulk is now tamed, it’s great to see that destructive snarling giant again in a different hue). Despite its missteps, this is probably the best of the post-ENDGAME pre-D&W (aside from the Sony Spideys) MCU offering, though not as strong and steady as the Steve Rogers trilogy, so Marvel-maniacs should get a great action rush with Mackie as Sam Wilson in CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD.
3 out of 4
CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD opens in theatres everywhere on Friday, February 14, 2025
