Captain America: Brave New World

[Welcome to our new reviewers! It’ll be nice to read reviews of different stuff. -Cranky]

So this is, like, the 97th Marvel Universe movie? I’ve lost track. Also, I was amused to learn that CFR had hadn’t noticed that I’ve developed the bad habit of beginning my reviews with a complaint about streaming services. If you would be interested in seeing reviews of films that are found on the free services like Roku and Tubi, let us know below. I might call them the Free Fkn Films reviews, and of course because they’re free, they will be older.

The current MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) is sort of an introduction of the new Captain America, and sorta a sequel to the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk. I won’t lie, it’s been about ten years since I’ve watched that one, and I didn’t remember a lot about it. It reintroduced The Hulk, after a lame and boring film in 2003 called Hulk. It surprised me to learn that The Incredible Hulk is not actually considered an MCU Universe film. Nevertheless, it introduced several characters important to the new Captain America film. Of course there was The Hulk, but also General Ross, who was originally played by William Hurt. He had a real thing for The Hulk and was especially put out that his daughter was dating the guy. Instead of meeting him at the front door with a shotgun, he called out the entire U.S. Army to shoot rockets at him in the middle of an urban park. It didn’t work, and the daughter never spoke to him again. Since then, Ross has appeared now and then in various MCU films, and then William Hurt died. That made me sad, because he did a lot of stuff I liked, but Ross is a major component of the new movie, having been elected President and all. Marvel went old school, and replaced Hurt with Harrison Ford instead of AI-ing his role.

The movie also replaces the original Steve Rogers with the new guy, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) who began his MCU life as The Falcon. Basically, the newest movie is a mishmash of old story lines that needed tied up in a bow. Ross (Ford) wishes his daughter would talk to him again and vows he has turned over a new leaf. Meanwhile, Samuel Stern aka The Leader makes everyone’s life miserable with his brainiac ways. Stern is an old school, Stan Lee in the 1960s villain dragged into the limelight here. I totally didn’t remember him, and he made little impression on me in this movie. I’m kinda tired of smirking dude bros right now. The new Captain America is still finding his footing in a fraught D.C. quagmire of evildoers and even-more-evil doers. He and his new sidekick Joaquin Torres (Anthony Ramirez) The Falcon, using hand me down wings, try to do the right things and be heroes without massive super powers. The film is basically a simple minded hash of talk, action, talk, talk, action.

There are a few surprises, like a complete lack of hero montage at the top of the movie. I was disappointed because I wanted to see if they kept Deadpool in the roster. The ethical dilemmas are understated, with New Cap worrying over his lack of superpowers and Ross worried about getting back in his daughter’s good graces again, even if he has to work with superheroes. Which he kinda hates. There is precious little humor in this film, which showcased the hypocrisy of Marvel fans who have been bemoaning the overwhelming amount of humor that has crept in the last twenty or so films. Now they say it was too serious.

Is there a counter somewhere on the internet that keeps track of how many times the White House has been destroyed? The 3D helped the movie, but wasn’t anything special. Same with the music, which got a little 70s funk in the end credits. It was okay, but only that. The action sequences were long, but not terribly overlong as has become the Marvel habit.

Overall, the whole movie boils down to “it was okay, but only that”. The best thing was Harrison Ford, shirtless for the first time since Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I thought a shirtless 81 year old actor was an interesting choice, but it couldn’t save the film from mediocrity. At least it wasn’t The Eternals. Go and see it in the theater if you enjoy that experience, but it’s worth the wait if you decide otherwise.

LINKS:

• Captain America: Brave New World – Official Websites: Marvel | Disney
• Captain America: Brave New World – IMDB
• Captain America: Brave New World – Wikipedia

CFR: In Addition

Ok, if you have read this blog in the past you know that I LOVE the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Love it. I am a huge fan of The Falcon now Captain America played oh so well by Anthony Mackie. He is charismatic, powerful, and has put in his dues to lead this movie.

This is definitely a popcorn movie. Fun, exciting, comic book all the way. It brought me joy watching old and new characters in an MCU movie. I saw it twice in two days and smiled the entire time.

I do also love a good diverse cast and yes to that! The director, Julius Onah, is Nigerian-American, born in Nigeria. Perhaps this is why a wide range of color, ages, and body types are in this movie. I thoroughly enjoyed that.

As I write this review, I am still smiling. I want to see it again. I did buy the shield popcorn holder and the Captain helmet drinking cup. In fact, I am using the cup right now. The movie made me feel I was watching the younger brother of Captain America: Winter Soldier. I am looking forward to seeing Cap and the new Falcon in future movies and shows.

Oh and for the haters who just want to spit all over anything Marvel does, please stop. Just stop. Not every movie is going to be Endgame. So just enjoy, ok?

Now on a Geeky note I need to say: Sam Wilson was given the shield BY STEVE ROGERS CAPTAIN AMERICA HIMSELF SO SAM IS CAPTAIN AMERICA!

Thank you for coming to my Chick Flicking Reviews talk.