Movie Review - CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD

For those of you that have “dropped out” of watching MCU films (probably somewhere between the end of AVENGERS: ENDGAME and the pandemic) the latest installment, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD is a very good place to jump back in.

Handing the mantle of CAPTAIN AMERICA to Anthony Mackey (who was the FALCON in the previous MCU films), CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD introduces a new Marvel Cinematic Universe including a new Falcon (Danny Ramirez) and a new Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford, replacing the deceased William Hurt) in an adventure that is “good enough” for this type of film.

Director Julius Onah (THE CLOVERFIELD PARADOX) checks all the boxes for an MCU film, SuperHeroes, SuperVillains, CGI battles, gunfights, hand-to-hand fighting and enough intrigue and cameos to satisfy those that are hungry for a “good” MCU film (after the failure of the previous entries in this series).

Mackey holds the center of film with integrity and sincerity as the new Captain America. He is a familiar face leading us through the events of the film and he is a comfortable face to be led by. Danny Ramirez as the young, earnest new Falcon is the comic relief of the film - he reminds me of one of the young bucks wise-cracking it up on a sports highlight show. Carl Lumbly is back as Isaiah Bradley (a character introduced in the series FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER) and Giancarlo Esposito and Shira Haas are welcome new members of the MCU.

Where the film falls down a bit is in the portrayal of (now) President Ross (Ford). He is played in a pretty one-note grumpy style and they have gotten the G.O.A.T. of current days Grumpy Old Men in Ford for the role. It is a good match of character and actor, it just isn’t well rounded.

There also is a surprise or two along the way that help elevate this piece, though one certain well-known CGI character is not in this film nearly enough and (I’m sure) many will be disappointed by how little screen time this character gets.

All-in-all a comfortable, “good enough” MCU film - kind of like putting on a pair of comfortable shoes - while setting up the MCU for what’s to come. So, if you’re looking for an opportunity to reunite with the MCU, CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD is your opening.

Letter Grade: B

7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)