**”Captain America: Brave New World” Doesn’t Take Flight Despite Promising Components**
On paper, *Captain America: Brave New World* seemed destined for success. As the 35th addition to the constantly growing Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it had all the right ingredients: a cherished franchise, a captivating lead in Anthony Mackie, and the iconic Harrison Ford stepping into a significant role. Yet, despite these encouraging components, the film fails to impress.
### A Formula That Should Have Succeeded
The MCU has established an empire based on its blend of action, humor, and intertwined storytelling. Mackie’s Sam Wilson, now donning the mantle of Captain America, infuses the screen with his unique charm and enhanced Vibranium wings from Wakanda. Meanwhile, Ford’s role as President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, a passionate politician with a monstrous transformation hinted at in trailers, ought to have brought depth.
The supporting cast is equally formidable, featuring esteemed actors Giancarlo Esposito and Tim Blake Nelson. Director Julius Onah (*Luce, The Cloverfield Paradox*) boasts credentials that hinted the film could provide at least a decent political thriller combined with superhero flair.
Despite all these promising components, the film falters.
### Sam Wilson Fails to Shine
As a sidekick, Sam Wilson was a standout, injecting humor and vibrancy into the MCU. However, as the main hero, his character feels limited. The film’s script, crafted by a group of writers (Onah, Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, and Peter Ganz), focuses on making Sam a worthy successor to Steve Rogers at the expense of his inherent charm.
The few instances where Wilson gets to deliver jokes remind us of Mackie’s talents, but they’re all too infrequent. Instead, comic relief is transferred to Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), Sam’s enthusiastic Air Force lieutenant. While Ramirez brings an amiable energy, his comedic timing isn’t as effective as Mackie’s, causing his humor to fall flat.
Sam’s arc centers around capturing a villainous mastermind (Nelson) who is manipulating Ross with assistance from a mercenary (Esposito). In addition, he aims to clear the reputation of Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), his mentor from *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*. Unfortunately, these narratives allow minimal space for Sam to exhibit his personality, relegating him to a serious, introspective role instead of the dynamic hero he could have been.
### Harrison Ford Seems Misplaced
Ford’s participation in the MCU was a thrilling notion, but his performance is unexpectedly dull. While he has previously reprised legendary roles like Han Solo and Indiana Jones with vigor, here he appears disinterested.
Ross’s dialogue is packed with heavyhanded remarks about sacrifice and second chances, rendering his character more of a plot instrument than a captivating figure. The film also heavily references prior MCU entries, including *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*, *Eternals*, and *The Incredible Hulk* (2008), presuming audiences will remember details from these less popular works.
Although the visual effects team deserves praise for crafting an impressively detailed Hulked version of Ross, Ford’s performance lacks the vitality necessary to make the character stand out.
### A Missed Chance for Something Greater
Mackie has established himself as a charismatic performer capable of harmonizing intensity with humor, yet this film holds him back. Ford, a cinematic icon, is given scant material to work with, diminishing his presence to that of a marketing tactic instead of a meaningful addition.
Instead of paving a bold new direction for Sam Wilson’s Captain America, the film leans too heavily on past MCU narratives that lack robust fan support. Marvel seems more centered on nostalgia and cross-promotion—such as in *Fantastic Four: First Steps* and Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom in *Avengers: Doomsday*—rather than developing fresh stories for its current heroes.
The film briefly hints at the potential for more profound themes, particularly during a discussion between Sam and Isaiah regarding the hurdles of being a Black Captain America. However, instead of delving into these concepts profoundly, the movie opts for a safe, generic narrative. Unlike *Black Panther*, which confidently embraced political themes, *Brave New World* shrinks back from taking risks.
In an era when bold storytelling—similar to Kendrick Lamar’s politically charged Super Bowl halftime performance—can captivate audiences, *Captain America: Brave New World* feels disappointingly tame.
### Final Verdict
Despite its promising cast and concept, *Captain America: Brave New World* fails to make a lasting impression. It plays it too safe, passing up the chance to redefine what Captain America can embody in today’s society.
*Captain America: Brave New World* hits theaters and IMAX