Marvel Is Now a Giant Slop Machine

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In the intense scene of “Captain America: Brave New World,” the newly elected President Thaddeus Ross (played by Harrison Ford) sharply remarks to the newly appointed Captain America, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), “You’re no Steve Rogers.” This line is intended to cause significant distress. Sam fears he won’t live up to the legacy of Rogers, the previous Captain America. It seems that this emotional exchange about our hero’s fear of inadequacy was part of the original script, but it could also have been added later as a way to acknowledge that the new movie itself struggles under the weight of its highly regarded predecessors. “Steve gave them something to believe in,” Sam is told. “You give them something to strive for.” Sadly, “Brave New World” is not a film anyone would aspire to create, at least in its current state.

As a passionate film buff, I must say that this movie marks a significant milestone as it’s the fourth Captain America film, and for the first time, Anthony Mackie steps into the role, having been exceptional in previous outings like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Ant-Man.” Following Chris Evans’ departure from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in “Avengers: Endgame,” Sam Wilson assumes the Captain America mantle and wields the shield. It’s intriguing to note that Evans made a comeback in “Deadpool” and “Wolverine,” just like no character or actor is truly gone from these movies forever. In earlier films, Sam was Steve Rogers’ trusted ally, Falcon, and he also starred alongside another close friend of Steve’s, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), in the Marvel television series “Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”

While Sam may now be Captain America, he refuses to take the serum that transformed the once-scrawny Brooklyn boy Rogers into a muscular super-soldier. This choice adds to his feelings of impostor syndrome. Fortunately, future congressman Bucky Barnes (long story there) is on hand to offer encouragement: “He gave you that shield not because you’re the strongest, but because you’re you,” he tells Sam. (Rest assured, as per tradition, the heartfelt sentiment is later undermined by a witty quip. “Did your speechwriters help you with that?” Sam asks Bucky.)

In other words, the character of the self-doubting hero isn’t novel, but it could have been intriguing if developed with more sophistication or depth in this film. Such a portrayal would have showcased Mackie’s talent for expressing tension and emotional turmoil effectively. Regrettably, the script falls short, merely acknowledging Sam’s doubts without fully delving into or dramatizing them. Additionally, it fails to delve into another potentially captivating ethical dilemma: Sam’s choice to collaborate with Ross, a general who has spent his life hunting the Hulk and attempting to crush the Avengers. Interestingly, this character was played by the late William Hurt since 2008 in “The Incredible Hulk,” a film that seemed to have been expelled from the Marvel Cinematic Universe but still manages to inspire numerous callbacks here. As I mentioned earlier: Nothing is truly eliminated in this universe.

In a conversation between Cam and Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), an elderly Black veteran who was once referred to as “The Forgotten Captain America”, Cam expresses that Ross, despite his unchanging nature, holds the presidency position. This is difficult for Bradley to comprehend, given Ross’ past as a Marvel antagonist, having committed heinous acts such as destroying much of Harlem in pursuit of the Hulk. The complexities of allies turning into enemies and vice versa are not new in these movies, and there’s potential for intriguing discussions about aligning oneself with institutional power. However, the execution of this subplot feels superficial and overly deferential, which raises concerns that it might be a subtle jab from Marvel and Disney towards certain recently-elected presidents. It’s disappointing when concepts become mere justifications rather than thoughtful explorations.

Even on a basic level, “Brave New World” seems more like something we’re expected to enjoy rather than something that truly excites us. In the past, Marvel movies were known for their fast-paced, humorous, and creatively choreographed action sequences, leveraging advanced visual effects to showcase their superheroes’ unique powers. However, these days, it seems we’re often served with uninspired, repetitive content, which might be due to overfamiliarity (given that there have been 35 of these movies so far) or a tendency to tick off boxes rather than create something original. It feels as if they’ve used up all their moves, kicks, punches, and death-defying stunts. Last year, “Deadpool v. Wolverine” gave Marvel a much-needed blockbuster success, but even that felt like an acknowledgment that the studio was running out of ideas. This film succeeded by making fun of itself. So, I guess the other films are left wondering what to do next?

In terms of the combat scenes, Brave New World holds its ground; the stunts are well executed and it’s enjoyable to watch Captain America maneuver his shield. The addition of Falcon wings adds a fresh element. However, when it comes to dogfights and VFX-heavy sequences, they lack excitement and energy, making me almost fall asleep during certain scenes. By the time Ross transformed into Red Hulk, I found myself daydreaming about a Has Fallen sequel featuring Gerard Butler as a slovenly retired Secret Service agent tasked with protecting a President who has turned into the Red Hulk from a group of dangerous assassins. Is there anything more indicative of a film’s shortcomings than a viewer contemplating better, yet equally mediocre films to watch instead?

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that one recurring issue in this film is the challenge of creating a sense of immediacy or danger after the extraordinary events these characters have already experienced. This isn’t a problem that requires a deep dive into the past for understanding; President Ross himself acknowledges the ongoing global struggle to cope with the fact that half of humanity was erased from existence just a few years ago, although it feels a bit ironic that this is almost treated as an aside.

In this adaptation of Brave New World, the main antagonist is the Leader (Tim Blake Nelson), a familiar foe for the Hulk from the comic books whose oversized brain seems to have burst through his skull. In the comics, he’s known for his extraordinarily long forehead, which can’t help but look a tad goofy. One of his powers is the ability to foresee outcomes by calculating probabilities. However, in a world where Dr. Strange exists, it’s hard to muster much empathy for someone like that.

It’s intriguing to ponder whether the Leader (who, despite being this movie’s chief adversary, doesn’t have many opportunities to shine) was initially intended to be a more poignant critique of our tech-driven dystopia. Such an interpretation wouldn’t have been groundbreaking—but it would have added depth.

At times, one might squint at the idea of the movie “Captain America: Brave New World” that perhaps aimed to be different from previous Chris Evans Captain America films. Instead of being an extended replay, it intended to be a compact, intense action film set in close quarters, without the need for alien invasions or heavy fantasy elements. The villains would have been ordinary people wearing suits and hoodies, using guns and fists rather than space weapons or magical artifacts. It was also supposed to avoid epic quests for magical elements, which were already overused a decade ago and continue to be prevalent in many action films today.

The concept of a hero who relied on his intelligence and bravery instead of a special serum would have fit well with this approach. However, the final product seems to have become a muddled and shallow mess, leaving one questioning whether Marvel, due to too much meddling and second-guessing, could ever make such a movie. It appears they’ve transformed their respected production company into a factory churning out generic content.

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2025-02-12 21:54