Antony Mackie stars in “Captain America: Brave New World” (Photo Credit: Getty Images).
(“Captain America: Brave New World” trailer courtesy of Marvel Entertainment).
Taking over for a hero is not easy.
Just ask recently fired New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, who succeeded Bill Belichick, the greatest NFL coach of all time.
The key to following a hero is not to try to replicate the predecessor’s greatness but to make it unique to thy self.
In “Captain America: Brave New World,” the Avengers no longer exist.
Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) is the new Captain America.
He enjoys all the love that a real superhero should enjoy.
Why wouldn’t someone who constantly saves the world and saves lives receive the VIP treatment wherever he goes?
Free adult beverages should come with the territory for a truly great being.
When Sam, with a little help from the United States military, stops a black-market sale in Mexico, his status as a true hero expands even further.
But what was the sale about?
All Sam knows is that someone tried to sell a canister in Mexico.
However, stopping the sale does not stop the pursuit of that canister and all that it contains.
And like in all superhero movies, if something of value gets into the wrong hands, the product could be used for the wrong reasons, possibly resulting in a global catastrophe.
Although superhero movies often prevent global catastrophe, so do many politicians.
Unlike comic book legends, though, people do not always view politicians as heroes even though voters initially expect them to be.
A politician’s job is more difficult than a superhero’s because government officials often need a ruthless persona to lead the free world.
A great political leader must stand up to foreign leaders.
They must make difficult decisions in the best interest of their people.
Those decisions are often not seen as popular at first.
While a politician’s job is often a thankless position, people usually just want the person to put the people’s needs before their own personal desires.
But when a politician chooses the selfish route as opposed to the selfless route, it often puts the regular folks in a precarious position.
President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) campaigns on the promise of bringing Americans together.
However, his past is so polarizing that his goal might be unattainable.
In “Captain America: Brave New World,” Ross wants to work with Sam by bringing the Avengers back.
The only problem with that proposal is that it would mean working for the president and answering to the commander-in-chief and the government.
When Sam even brings up the idea to an old friend like Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumby), Isaiah scoffs at the time because of his past experiences with Ross and the United States government.
Regardless of his apprehension, Isaiah accepts an invitation to accompany Sam to a White House event, where the new Captain America is the guest of honor.
Sam’s talkative friend and wannabe superhero, Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), attends the event as well.
However, after an assassination attempt at the White House event, things may never be the same for Captain America, the country and the entire world.
Even after the would-be assassins are apprehended, something seems off about the shooters.
It is like their behavior is outside of their normal character, and they cannot even explain why they behaved the way they did.
And who has the guts to shoot the president while inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?
Whoever it is or they are, if Sam and his crew do not figure it out and put a stop to it, the danger might spill out of the White House and adversely impact the rest of the universe.
“Captain America: Brave New World” is a darker world for the Marvel franchise.
Often, Marvel movies are lighter than the gloomier DC movies like “Joker.”
Movie franchises like “Captain America” and “Ant-Man” are often comical and light-hearted.
However, “Captain America: Brave New World” is slightly more serious than other movies in the Marvel Universe.
Although the movie went into production before the 2024 United States presidential election, the storyline with Ross is perfectly relevant in today’s climate.
Ross has a reputation for bullying his colleagues.
He has a history of losing his composure and acting erratically.
However, can he repress his tendencies to do what is best for the people, even if it is not what is best for him?
Can Ross admit when he is wrong?
Will the president accept the consequences that come from his actions?
Or will his inner demons get the best of him, placing the entire world in danger?
On the contrary, will Sam’s insecurities prevent him from filling the shoes of his predecessor?
He is not the strongest superhero.
But he has something unique that many other superheroes do not have.
While Chris Evans’ portrayal of Steve Rogers might always be the most popular portrayal of Captain America, Mackie’s performance in “Captain America: Brave New World” is more compelling because it shows that even if the most powerful man on the planet does not do the selfless and heroic thing for the world, someone else will always rise to the occasion.
That reality is very important in today’s political climate, which mirrors the political climate in “Captain America: Brave New World.”
Additionally, “Captain America: Brave New World” is dope because it incorporates other superhero franchises, such as “Black Panther.”
But it gets a little wack with the interjection of the Incredible Hulk.
However, critics will not be able to say that Mackie’s version of Captain America is wack because he does it his way and does not necessarily walk in the footsteps of his predecessor.
REGAL RATINGS
FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT
THREE CROWNS=GOOD
TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE
ONE CROWN=POOR
