Captain America: Brave New World is the latest movie in the MCU to come out this weekend. It serves as the fourth installment in the Captain America film series, a continuation of the television miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and the 35th film in the MCU. The film stars Anthony Mackie as the titular hero, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Xosha Roquemore, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford. The plot revolves around Sam in the middle of an international incident after meeting with President Thaddeus Ross (Ford).

The film more or less plays out like a carbon copy of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. In hindsight, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea to bring fans back in. The Winter Soldier is my all-time favorite MCU movie, but I was more cautious than I have ever been with a MCU movie. The trailers did absolutely nothing for me and the story didn’t sound that interesting. I believe this says a lot as someone who has been an avid supporter of the MCU post-Endgame. Let me tell you… I am feeling with this one.

When the film tries to be a carbon copy of The Winter Soldier is where the film shines the best. The first half does a great at feeling like a real political thriller. There’s intrigue and the tone is set perfectly. Anthony Mackie totally own this role as the new Captain America. What sets himself apart from Steve Rogers is his commitment to not taking the super serum. He wants to be completely genuine and prove the haters wrong. It’s quite admirable, especially when Mackie is paired up with Harrison Ford. The two actors are dynamic in every scene with each being able to show how much they can relate to each other.

The first half isn’t without its flaws. It has rushed exposition to get you caught up to speed. Giancarlo Esposito steals the show, but is heavily underutilized. Way to make us believe he was going to be the big villain. I didn’t believe it, but this film would have been so much better with him as the villain. The film also relies way too much on catchy tunes. The razor-thin dialogue also offers nothing of substance for its characters.

The second half sort of nosedives into a mediocrity. Just as we get past the good stuff, the film faulters into bland MCU territory. The CGI is noticeably bad. Nothing ever looks real or authentic. Forced MCU connections are placed that even had my friend confused. Sure, the film is action-packed and seeing it in IMAX was the right way to see it, but I am also too burnt out on big budget movies relying so much on CGI. The camera shots even look uninspired.

The film does a good job with its marketing, because it really does show all the good stuff. The big Red Hulk is barely in it, which is just another reason I avoid trailers. Way to hype something up that is barely utilized. Why not have the film rely around that? The film is so reliant on giving Sam Wilson the same old themes from his TV show that it becomes redundant here. Why not have his conflict with Thaddeus Ross lead to his decision to form the Avengers. That part is barely spoken of in the first half and then it’s never mentioned again. It’s like the film didn’t quite know what it wanted to be and how it should move the MCU forward.

If you going into thinking that Esposito plays the main villain, you’d be sadly mistaken. The movie essentially has three main villains, and I am not surprised as to who the main villain is since it was widely talked about before production. In case you don’t know, I will keep who it is under wraps and say it’s from a character from a MCU a long time ago. I love the actor, but did not like the character. The idea of his character coming back is intriguing, but his motives are ridiculous. His dialogue too is so unthreatening that it makes it like his actions are just happy accidents.

As for the other side characters, the film has plenty of them. Unfortunately, they are more likable just because of their screen presence without the film giving them much characterization. I don’t feel the same dynamic between the new Captain America and the Falcon as I did with The Winter Soldier. The film also establishes a U.S government official who is meant to be important, but I got nothing out of this. I don’t like hating on talent. It’s just the way these characters are written. They are meant to act like they are important, but I couldn’t tell you why.

I’ve been told to refrain from spoiling cameos, but I don’t think there is much to spoil. One surprise felt more fitting and less surprising. Another is one we knew a long time ago. The first one has this new characterization that left me puzzled to say the least from what they are doing new to how they got to where they are. The other is something that is meant to solely satisfy fans. Given how long it’s been, I couldn’t care less.

With the film relying so much on the tone of The Winter Soldier, I am unclear as to how this particular series should even move forward. For the first movie that Anthony Mackie headlines, it could have done more to give him a proper arc. His arc does come off cliche as he has to overcome letting people down. We’ve already seen that with him. I think making The Falcon and the Winter Soldier into a movie would have been far better to give Sam Wilson’s a better arc, especially if he does eventually lead the new Avengers.

Overall, I am incredibly mixed on this one. There is a lot to like as there is as much to dislike. I love the dynamic between Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford as they both feel fitting in their roles. The supporting characters are just an afterthought. When the film feels like a copy of The Winter Solider is where the film shines. When it relies too much on MCU connections and green screens, is where it faults. This isn’t one I’d ever rewatch, but it’s fine for a first time watch.

VERDICT: 2.5/5 (Okay)