‘Captain America: Brave New World’ review: Anthony Mackie and Marvel’s sinking ship

“You’re not Steve Rogers!” Words that haunt Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) – or should do – in this latest Marvel Comics movie. If you recall, Wilson – the agile, airborne superhero once known as The Falcon – has been handed the mantle of Captain America by Rogers, the OG Cap. So, of course, Captain America: Brave New World should all be about Wilson living up the burden of protecting and serving his country. But this newest entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is about as emotional as a wet tea bag.

Directed by Julius Onah (Luce, The Cloverfield Paradox), Brave New World already arrives with baggage. It underwent delays and extensive re-shoots, including the addition of a mercenary-like character, played by Breaking Bad’s own Gus Fring, Giancarlo Esposito. Now it arrives saddled with expectations, as the likeable Mackie picks up that stars-and-stripes shield previously held by Chris Evans and fronts his first MCU movie. What a pity this flimsy film doesn’t have the structure to give him what he deserves.

Aiming to be another paranoid political thriller, like the first Cap movie, 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Brave New World re-introduces Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross. The one time Hulk-hunting General (previously played by the late William Hurt) is now the U.S. President. Ross (Harrison Ford) has ditched his facial hair (“lose the moustache or lose the election”, he’s told) and is trying to turn over a new leaf, including patching things up with estranged daughter Betty.

Partly, Ross is looking to forge the Celestial island treaty with other nations concerning “the discovery of the millennium”, Adamantium – the rare, precious metal that X-Men character Wolverine’s claws are forged from. But then a terror attack takes place at The White House – with several shooters involved including Wilson’s friend, former military man Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly). Wilson is convinced Bradley is innocent, especially as he barely remembers firing on the President.

Joined by Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) – effectively the new Falcon – Wilson’s Cap starts up an investigation. So far, so good. But Brave New World never really takes flight from there. Esposito’s Sidewinder may be menacing, but the character adds almost nothing to proceedings. Likewise, Harrison Ford – the Star Wars and Indiana Jones icon making his first foray into the MCU – is hugely short-changed. His big ‘transformation’ has already been revealed in advance publicity, but no spoilers here. It’s the best moment of the film, but nowhere near as well used as it could be.

With footage looking murky, from the opening chapel-set shoot-out onwards, Brave New World lacks the gleaming beauty of the best MCU films. There’s at least a semi-decent role for Tim Blake Nelson, as the nefarious string-puller Samuel Sterns – even if he does look like he’s got a lump of broccoli clamped to his head – and a couple of nice cameos. But this is a functional Marvel movie that offers little excitement. A few fights enliven proceedings, including one on a road lined with cherry blossom trees. But this is largely dull and disappointing.