(May contain some spoilers.)
The new Captain America is set to take flight. However, both Captain America's shield and the weight of the MCU are heavy. The vast universe is becoming more of a burden than a source of excitement.
The film ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ (directed by Julius Onah) is an action blockbuster where Sam (Anthony Mackie), after reuniting with Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), who has become president, finds himself at the center of an international incident and uncovers the hidden entities and reasons behind a sinister plot to take over the world.
Sam Wilson, a former U.S. Air Force special forces member and Falcon, becomes the new Captain America after receiving the shield from Steve Rogers. As an ordinary human who has not received the super-soldier serum, Sam Wilson strategizes with his innate intuition and confronts powerful enemies, showcasing a different kind of leadership compared to Steve Rogers.
While the Disney+ series ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ (2021) depicted Sam Wilson's journey to becoming Captain America after much contemplation, the film ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ shows him actively functioning as the new Captain America, rather than just as Falcon.
He still faces the heavy responsibility of the shield and encounters formidable foes without the super-soldier serum. The events unfold as General Ross, who previously imprisoned the Avengers and appeared in ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ becomes the President of the United States and reunites with Sam Wilson.
Unfortunately, the film starkly reveals Marvel's current situation. Like previous MCU films, it places familiar elements for Marvel fans throughout, making it accessible based on what they know and understand. Given that fans are increasingly feeling burdened by the vast story and characters, it remains uncertain how effective this strategy will be.
To understand key characters such as General Ross and The Leader from the 2008 film ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), who became the second Falcon starting from ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,’ and Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), who became a war hero after receiving the super-soldier serum in the 1950s but underwent biological experiments for 30 years, one must consider the minimum works to watch for their complete narratives, which can feel burdensome. Instead of excitement, there is a sense of ‘burden’ that has become a barrier in the MCU.
The shoulders of Falcon, who has become the new Captain America, also seem heavy. Although he is now named Captain America, the disconnect is significant since he is already familiar as Falcon. This is due to the strong impressions left by existing actors and characters like Iron Man and Captain America. While the series ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ built a narrative for fans alongside his struggles, the upgraded suit for the new Captain America still feels awkward. It is not a matter of the actor's performance but rather how much the character's charm and narrative will resonate with the audience.
Following the passing of actor William Hurt in 2022, Harrison Ford makes a notable appearance as Ross, but the expected CGI is sometimes disappointing. Marvel drops another hint through a post-credits scene. Marvel films, which have been said to not be what they used to be, have recently seen many works underperform or fall short of expectations. As the new Avengers are hinted at, the weight of the new ‘Captain America’ standing at the starting point seems heavy. Released on the 12th. Rated for ages 12 and up. Running time: 118 minutes.
