'Captain America: Brave New World'-A Brave Success

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel.

Star-spangled butt-kicking by Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez acting like Goose from "Top Gun", running like one was in "Three Days of the Condor", alien-like make-up on Tim Blake Nelson, a suave bad guy played by Giancarlo Esposito, and Harrison Ford going from a gruff grandpa to an angry Red Hulk are all the things that emphasize the brave in "Captain America: Brave New World." Contrary to the mixed reviews from others, I enjoyed watching Brave New World because of the impressive character development of Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson/Captain America, more people of color in the cast, SFX in the case of Captain America and the Red Hulk, costuming, and musical scoring by Laura Karpman. Sam Wilson had to live up to the Captain America mantle the hard way, and he did great.

Taking place a few years after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson/Captain America, played by Anthony Mackie, is caught in the middle when a former Super Soldier named Isaiah Bradley, played by Carl Lumbly, whom you may recognize as the voice of Martin Manhunter from the DC Animated Universe, is brainwashed into attacking newly-elected President Thaddeus Ross, now played by Harrison Ford of Han Solo/Indiana Jones fame. While investigating, Wilson must train a new Falcon, Joaquin Torres, played by Danny Ramirez from Top Gun: Maverick, and contend with new villains, played by Tim Blake Nelson and Giancarlo Esposito, who plan to put him, Ross, and the world into anarchy.

Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, and Carl Lumbly as Sam Wilson/Captain America, Joaquin Torres/Falcon, and Isaiah Bradley, respectively, in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel.

When Mackie as Captain America was re-introduced, I enjoyed how he showed up looking flashy like Apollo Creed from "Rocky" and took on members of the Serpent Society with impressive choreography. Next, a perp said "The Captain America I wanted to fight was bigger than you," and Wilson said "Sorry to disappoint" and beat him down. That's also when I saw Giancarlo Esposito as a man known as Sidewinder. Esposito didn't look like his prior role as Buggin' Out in Do the Right Thing, but he looked fierce while he shot at Captain.

Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/Falcon was a grand addition, too. He flew in battles dressed like Boba Fett and acted like Goose from Top Gun with his enthusiasm for working with Wilson and Bradley. Comic relief aside, Torres proved to be a capable fellow soldier. He made a great case that Wilson was the right man for Captain America's mantle when he said, "I wanted to be Sam Wilson because that guy won't ever give up."

Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/Falcon and Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel.

As for Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross, I didn't really like him. His character didn't beam with pride while in the office, and it took him the whole film to change his gruff ways. Regardless, I extend a great job to the people at Imaginarium and Technoprops for their role in Ford's motion capture performance as Red Hulk.

Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross and Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel.

Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross/Red Hulk in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel.

I give "Captain America: Brave New World" a 9.5/10. Great job to the cast and crew, specifically Mackie for his performance and producing part of the film, Danny Ramirez, Giancarlo Esposito, and Tim Blake Nelson, production designer Ramsey Avery, costume designer Gersha Phillips, and composer Laura Karpman for scoring similar to the music from Jaws along with great electronic beats. In addition to Karpman's score, check out the song "I" performed by Kendrick Lamar featuring "That Lady" by The Isley Brothers. See what Marvel cooked up in "Captain America: Brave New World."