Captain America: Brave New World - Review 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

THE ghost of Steve Rogers hangs over Captain America: Brave New World in more ways than one as Marvel looks to get back on track and rebuild The Avengers in the run-up to Secret Wars and Doomsday.

First and foremost it informs the actions of its new central character, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as he seeks to take on the iconic shield for the first time and assume the responsibilities and burden that comes with it.

But secondly, the past exploits of Chris Evans’ Captain America, and in particular those that took place during The Winter Soldier, really inform the tone, style and plotting of this new story, as it leans heavily into its genre trappings (ie, conspiracy style thriller) as well as some key moments from that movie itself.

Indeed, the first half of Brave New World almost follows the same plot beats as The Winter Soldier, from the first establishing mission for Wilson (which virtually replicates a hand to hand combat sequence with a muscled up adversary) to an attack on a car (Wilson here beating the brunt, where Samuel L Jackson’s Nick Fury was the former target) right down to a visit to a top secret, almost abandoned bunker that provides the clues to the wider conspiracy at play.

It seems Marvel is playing it safe by revisiting one of its biggest and most critically acclaimed hits. But that’s no bad thing as the results here, while lacking the freshness of its predecessor, are just as good.

The story itself toys with the super soldier ideology as well as tapping into two other past MCU films more directly: The Incredible Hulk and The Eternals, proving that no film in the back catalogue is ever written off or forgotten no matter what the box office or initial reception.

Wilson is recruited by newly elected US President Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross (Harrison Ford stepping in for the late William Hurt) to reform The Avengers, only to find himself plunged into a conspiracy that involves a new, highly sought after element, adamantium, that could be even more powerful than Wakanda’s vibranium (it’s the one used in Wolverine’s claws).

Ross is determined to broker an international treaty that allows the US access to the adamantium, aware that failure to do so could trigger an international conflict.

But there are elements conspiring to discredit him and expose Ross for his past misdeeds, which place him at odds with Wilson, who has his own reasons for wanting to uncover the truth with the help of new ally Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez)… namely, saving former colleague and role model Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) from prison and the possible death penalty for his mysterious role in the attempted assassination of Ross.

It’s a complex tale, reliant to a certain degree on a good knowledge of MCU films past, but still accessible enough for newcomers to enjoy given that it also works as out and out thriller with some additional real world elements thrown in.

The film’s positioning of Ford as a possibly shady US President looking to atone for crimes past may well resonate with some, even though Marvel probably never envisioned releasing Brave New World into such a volatile political climate.

Yet while Julius Onah’s film undoubtedly offers hope in the human condition, the real world finds a White House incumbent hell-bent on setting his own agenda. Here, too, opponents of Trump may well delight in scenes involving the destruction of The White House, while praying for a President willing to take responsibility for his past actions and the justice that comes with doing that.

Brave New World certainly provides plenty of food for thought for those willing to invest the time (hell, there’s even an Israeli born ally of Ross working on his security detail). But it also does more than enough to keep comic book fans entertained, while confidently setting into motion the events that will help to inform the next few movies and the inevitable event films that will conclude this phase.

It’s got a decent plot, suitably muscular and spectacular action and some great performances. Mackie exudes his usual charisma when opportunity allows, but balances that with the weight of the burden he feels as well as the insecurities that follow; Ford is suitably conflicted and tragic as Ross (his desire to be forgiven by his daughter contributes to a surprisingly emotional undertow), and there’s eye-catching support from the likes of Tim Blake Nelson, as one of the movie’s main villains, Ramirez as the new Falcon (his camaraderie with Mackie works well), Giancarlo Esposito, bringing more of his typical gravitas as another villain, Shira Haas as, potentially, another key Widow-style ally, and Lumbly, as the tragic Bradley.

And while there’s an inevitability to certain elements of the story, as well as a familiarity to certain plot beats (as well as some clunky dialogue and exposition), it’s nevertheless great to find a Marvel film reverting back to basics and keeping things grounded, while still maintaining a forward momentum.

Brave New World is the type of film that recaptures the early energy of the MCU. It’s a crowd pleaser that rates as an undoubted triumph for everyone involved.