Captain America 4 Review: Not exactly a ‘Brave New World’ but a fine MCU installment

Captain America 4 is neither a dumpster fire feared based on the numerous reshoots nor does it set an exciting course for the future of the MCU. However, a trio of terrific performances led by Anthony Mackie, Carl Lumbly and the best part of the film, Harrison Ford, help smooth over the weak elements of Brave New World.

Some hand-to-hand action sequences, poor dialogue, and a weak villain who essentially is a lesser version of Captain America: Civil War‘s Baron Zemo make this the worst Captain America film to date.

Need to catch up on Sam Wilson’s previous adventure. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is streaming on Disney Plus.

Captain America 4 Overview

Brave New World occurs sometime after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Sam Wilson (Mackie) continues to struggle with being Captain America. Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) serves as Sam’s wingman. Sam is summoned by President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross to mend fences following his vendetta against The Avengers essentially. Isaiah Bradley (Lumbly), the black Korean war veteran and super soldier who was experimented on, tries to caution Sam about working with Ross. However, he joins Sam and Joaquin on their trip to the White House.

After a private chat between Ross and Wilson, the president is attacked by Isaiah and several other soldiers. Following a brief chase, Wilson apprehends Isaiah, while Isaiah doesn’t seem to remember the incident. One of the best scenes in Brave New World is the genuine fear Lumbly exudes during the arrest. The threat of being imprisoned and thrown in a hole is an experience he doesn’t want to relive.

Understandably angry over the attack, Ross wants nothing to do with Sam and withdraws the offer of restarting The Avengers. He turns to a former Black Widow, Ruth Bat-Seraph (Sara Hess), for intelligence. There’s is no reason for her to be in this film. She starts as an adversary towards Sam and Joaquin but joins them once she uncovers evidence.

After the attack, Captain American 4 splits off into two stories. Sam and Danny try to unravel the conspiracy behind the attack. Ross heads to Japan to carry out a peace treaty. Understandably angry over the attack, Ross wants nothing to do with Sam and withdraws the offer of restarting The Avengers.

Celestial Negotiation

Like the Winter Soldier program, Sam and Joaquin find out someone is pulling the strings by controlling their minds.  Samuel Sterns aka Leader (Tim Blake Nelson) has a vendetta against Ross and used the attack to blow up the peace treaty.

Leader was exposed to dangerous gamma radiation. Instead of altering his strength, it made his brain larger. He’s able to make somewhat precise predictions of the future. Ross found this new helpful ability and used it to move up the political ladder. In exchange, Ross promised to release him from an underground prison but didn’t make good on the deal.

Brave New World is the first film since 2021’s Eternals to acknowledge the Celestial remains sitting in the Indian Ocean. It turns out the remains are essential elements that will play a role in the future of the MCU.

After the remains were discovered, there was a power grab, but Ross finally brought all of the countries together for peace. The attack on the White House makes the other countries uncertain. Since the president was nearly killed, they aren’t sold on the United States being the best country to oversee the site. Japan also backs out after Leader alleges back door dealings by Ross.

Red Hulk and Fight Scenes

One of the strongest elements in Brave New World is Ross trying to rekindle his relationship with his daughter, Betty (Liv Tyler). She won’t talk to him after his actions against Bruce Banner in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.

He has a heart condition that requires pills designed by Leader to keep him alive. However, these pills contain dosages of gamma radiation and eventually unleashes the beast within.

The Red Hulk looks incredible and the fight scene between Red Hulk and Sam is great. Aerial combat is also terrific. Where Captain America 4 falls short is the hand-to-hand combat sequences. These scenes just aren’t up to the quality of previous Captain America films.

Captain America 4 Final Thoughts and Rating

Brave New World is buoyed by the performances by Mackie, Ford and Lumbly. Still, the Leader isn’t a gripping villain, and there are simply too many supporting characters like Ruth and Sidewinder (Giancarlo Esposito) who hinder the interesting geopolitical story.

However, there is a consistent, serious tone that elevates this MCU film over the likes of Thor: Love and Thunder and The Marvels.

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