‘Captain America: Brave New World’ review: Harrison Ford lets his freak flag fly as Red Hulk

Film critic Richard Crouse reviews the latest movie releases from ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ and ‘The Gorge’.

When Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) handed his Captain America shield to former pararescueman Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), a.k.a. The Falcon, in the finale of “Endgame,” it marked an exchange of power that went on to be explored in the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”

The new film, “Captain America: Brave New World,” picks up the story as Wilson and President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), who previously butted heads about how much latitude “enhanced individuals” should have, are on the same side with a plan to rebuild The Avengers. “Work with me and we’ll show the world a way forward,” Ross says.

It’s all hunky dory between them until a daring assassination attempt places them at odds. “You may be Captain America,” Ross bellows, “but you’re not Steve Rogers.”

Unless Wilson, and his sidekick Joaquin Torres / Falcon (Danny Ramirez), can get some quick answers, a cherished friend and the future of a worldwide peace treaty are in danger.

“Captain America: Brave New World” gets caught between its (relatively) grounded conspiracy story and its high-flying aspirations.

Dragged down by stitching up loose story threads from other films, it over explains the action, showcases diabolical but dull villain Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson)—although his catchphrase, “Please, don’t be boring,” is pretty cool—and feels more like a Disney+ show than a big screen event.

And yet, it does have entertaining aerial scenes and, in the Red Hulk, a role that allows Harrison Ford, the best angry man in movies, to let his freak flag fly. It’s also nice to see Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley, the Korean War era Captain America, make the leap from the miniseries “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” to the movie.

At the heart of the whole thing is Mackie. As a Captain America with no superhuman abilities, he is a more grounded character. Sure, he flies through the air with the aid of advanced technology, and his vibranium shield comes in handy when things go south, but his inner turmoil over his place in the world of superheroes and his progressive nature make Wilson a hero for the modern age.

The political conspiracy story of “Captain America: Brave New World” serves as an official introduction for Wilson as Captain America, but by the time the end credits (and the one post credit scene) rolls, it’s the Red Hulk antics that sticks in the memory.

3 stars out of 5