Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
Marvel Studios has some interesting material cooking. “Brave New World” is the first piece kicking off a new series of adventures from The Avengers. Sam Wilson has embraced the responsibilities of Captain America, wielding the shield with pride. After Thaddeus Ross is elected President, Wilson is tasked with assembling a new Avengers team. But after an assassination attempt on the President, Wilson goes undercover to figure out what the greater threat is. What he uncovers is a deadly plan to sabotage the credibility of Ross and escalate a global conflict between the United States and its allies. Can Sam stop this threat before the conflict gets out of control?
Positives:
Due to the troubled production of the film, I had very little hope that the salvaged product would be coherent. I’m happy to report that the film greatly exceeded expectations, delivering a worthy story for Sam Wilson and a taut political thriller. It’s amazing that the film ended up delivering such a strong story due to the constant rewrites and crowded production room. What I enjoyed most about the film is that it focused on the story being told rather than worrying about setups for future films. It gives Sam Wilson the room he needs to grow into the Captain America role while focusing on the mystery established. The political thriller tone resembles that of “Winter Soldier”, so seeing Marvel produce a film that feels unique in tone and fresh in its presentation is a wonderful change of pace. The runtime comes in around two hours, so the pacing feels appropriate for audiences wanting a slick superhero story and fun time at the movies.
The performances are the most surprising aspect of the film. Anthony Mackie earns his stripes as Captain America, establishing a unique persona while carrying the same grounded moral compass as Steve Rogers. His performance is one of his best yet, conveying the burden he still carries after Steve gave him the shield. He also projects a sense of unity and prosperity for America this time, trying to see the good in Ross as he attempts to reform himself. I was worried that the political nature of the film would come across as divisive or pointed. Luckily, Marvel uses this opportunity to create a sense of unity behind Captain America and the constant threats to our democracy. Harrison Ford is excellent in his MCU debut, filling in for the recently deceased Wiliam Hurt. I enjoyed seeing a newly elected President Ross grappling with his reputation, attempting to reform so that he can represent all Americans. Since Ford is such a seasoned performer, he is able to convey the internal demons Ross is facing. Seeing him transform into the Red Hulk in the final battle was also very exciting as a fan! A number of the supporting performances also elevate the film’s quality, so credit to Marvel for assembling such a good cast.
“Winter Soldier” is one of the better MCU films, so seeing “Brave New World” return to that tone is an exciting change of pace. The film is regularly exciting, featuring a story that unravels a greater plan to corrupt Ross and pit the United State against its allies. This puts Sam to the test, seeing how far he is willing to work with the President. Having Ross and the complexity of his moral compass at the center is the strongest arc in the film. I enjoyed how thoughtfully the story addressed each character’s involvement within the plot. It knows when to be grounded and when to include the superhero elements we all want. I enjoyed many of the fight sequences as well, especially the Red Hulk battle and the fight against the Japanese fleet. “Brave New World” impresses more than expected, and for that I commend the filmmakers.
Negatives:
Although “Brave New World” is an unexpected success, there are still a few issues that have hurt the MCU. The film attempts to tie up some loose ends from a few previous movies, so the story occasionally feels like its job is to tie everything together. In doing so, the multiple storylines begin to feel tedious in the third act. If the film was streamlined to focus on one or two main points it might have felt more focused towards the end. I also noticed some obvious green screen circumstances, where the actors didn’t feel like they were actually in the setting they were standing in. The CGI was noticeably improved from the trailers though so I’m pleased they adjusted that. I also felt like some of the character interactions felt rushed and underdeveloped. If they were directed in a way that let the characters breathe in each sequence, the impact of those interactions would have been stronger. But this isn’t a problem in every sequence because Mackie and Ford both get a few moments to flex their acting chops.
Conclusion:
“Brave New World” is a surprisingly effective thriller that begins a new stage for the MCU. The performances are strong, especially from Mackie and Ford. The change of pace in tone provides a fresh story that is long overdue. I enjoyed the balance of political intrigue combined with fast paced action. Marvel has a great opportunity to build on the upcoming Avengers timeline with “Thunderbolts” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”. I recommend checking this one out on a premium screen with a packed theater!
