Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

This movie was not well-received by the fans or the critics. The filmmakers had an interesting defense for its poor reception. And it's one I found very hard to believe. That because Red Hulk was in the promotional material, everybody was basically passing time in the theater to get to the end. In between the start of the film and Red Hulk exists a good movie people ignored because they knew what was coming.

I loved the defense because I knew it was gonna be wrong, and I love that. First off, the filmmakers are right that there is a good movie present. Not a great movie, for sure. But a good one. The things that make me realize for whatever reason the film didn't connect with people, that it wasn't due to Red Hulk spoilage are two reasons. And those reasons were incredibly popular films that suffered the same problem.

For anyone growing up who has never seen it, the twist ending to The Empire Strikes Back is no twist at all because the idea that Luke Skywalker is Darth Vader's son is in the cultural zeitgeist. Even people who don't like Star Wars and have never seen that film know the line "Luke, I am your father," because it been parodied and referenced and paid homage to in popular culture time and time again. And Empire still connects with new fans, even knowing that the film is leading up to THAT.

Frankly, even before the Vader thing because so heavily spoiled everywhere, Empire had the same problem with promotion this film did. It was either Time or Newsweek that did a truly horrendous cover with an extreme close-up of Yoda's ugly face with a title like "Can you believe this little weird green guy is gonna be Luke Skywalker's new Jedi Master?" Now although Yoda's reveal in the film IS in fact a cliche, and actually a badly written, predictable one by modern standards, the truth is it was still played as a shock to the audience. And considering how far the movie business had yet to evolve, I'm sure for many people it WOULD have been a genuine surprise if that damn magazine hadn't ruined everything.

The fucked up thing is the filmmakers here did NOT want Red Hulk in the promotional stuff and were overruled by Marvel and Feige. And George Lucas himself was behind ruining Yoda ahead of time.

The other film that was spoiled when it shouldn't have been is The Truman Show. I don't know how they could have sold the Jim Carrey drama otherwise, but the major reveal of the trailers in the movie itself is its central mystery and revealed for sure halfway through. And The Truman Show is still beloved.

No, for whatever reason this good (not great) movie didn't connect with people, it was not because they knew Red Hulk was coming.

I have two theories, neither charitable. I think a LOT of it was backlash to a Black Captain America. Average Marvel Movies like this one used to fucking COAST, but put Anthony Mackie in the lead role and it's now magically unforgivable. Funny how that works.

The other reason is I believe there is a segment of Marvel film fans who believe every Marvel film that is NOT as great as Avengers: Endgame is a waste of celluloid and every filmmaker that doesn't top that is incompetent and not giving fans what they deserve. Aside from me questioning the notion that fans actually DESERVE anything from a filmmaker, that mindset is both crazy and stupid. And common. I'm not making it up. People genuinely ARE that spoiled and dumb when it comes to movies.

Let's talk about the movie itself. I loved the Isiah Bradley stuff. I love how proud he is of his Men's Wearhouse suit, and how Sam expresses shock that he ever gets out of those ratty gym clothes. That was a truly laugh-out-loud moment to me because it was actual human comedy instead of Marvel Movie comedy. Not enough of the former in Marvel movie.

The lame joke about Bucky's prepared speech was pure Marvel comedy and it made me cringe for that reason.

God, Tim Blake Nelson's proper introduction as Samuel Stern (disappointingly NOT called the Leader here) was like 16 years in the making. Is that how long we'll have to wait to see the tag from Eternals brought up again?

That mess of a film was brought up HERE though, Goddammit. As if the franchise wasn't messy enough.

Weird way to introduce Adamantium. I honestly think they're overthinking that.

One thing I liked was the reveal that Ross WAS actually trying to change and make up with Betty. If the movie had been made 30 years ago, that specific thing would NEVER be Ross' motivation, and he'd be pure evil and the actual orchestrator of everything. But it's more interesting that Stern lost because he was actually wrong about the thing he was MOST sure of. And Sam is able to talk Ross down. And yeah, it's been awhile for Liv Tyler and the MCU too.

Betty appears to be married to somebody other than Bruce and has a kid. On some level I'm disappointed on behalf of Bruce, on the other hand, I'm happy she moved on with her life instead of pining for the guy for 16 years. It's not an entirely good thing but it's also not an entirely bad thing.

I love that Joaquin plays the song to see if it works on any of the people present. Crazy and stupid move, but it worked, didn't it? Hell, it would have worked even if one or two people there WERE compromised. Better they knew who ahead of time.

I have a problem with Ross' campaign slogan. I'm trying to figure out ways he could have POSSIBLY won an election with the word "Together" and coming up empty.

My assumption is Ross is a Democrat. That is Democratic branding right there. And yes, Hawkish Dems who hype Patriotism and jingoism tend to be loved in purple states. I could definitely see a Dem with his background winning a general election, and winning it easily.

What I can't reconcile is how with the specific things in his past, he could ever win a national Democratic primary. For a hot minute Joe Manchin thought about tossing his hat in the ring when Biden withdrew, until he was essentially laughed out of the room. There is no way the guy who came down that hard on the Hulk and Steve Rogers would EVER win a Dem primary.

I can't reconcile him winning the election with that slogan,. If he was a Republican there would be no extra explanation needed for me, but that's a Dem talking point, and if he ran as a Dem, he'd get less than 2% in the primary.

Also weird realizing that Ross is unmarried. Only one unmarried President in our nation's history EVER (I forget who it was) so that strikes me as very unusual.

I love Giancarlo Esposito, but when it comes to Sidewinder, I'm putting him in the below average part of his filmography.

Is the film good? Yes. Why it is bashed? Probably for bullshit political reasons. Is it a great film and worthy of the MCU? No on the first part of the question, and iffy on the second. 3 1/2 stars.

Gag Reel

Okay, Anthony Mackie says "Cut the check," ONCE at the end of the gag reel. I would have gone into conniptions if they had done an entire reel and he didn't ever say it. I was practically screaming at him to. 4 stars.

Deleted Scenes

A rarity for deleted scenes in that I believe ALL three scenes SHOULD have been in the movie. That's unheard up in Blu-Ray special features. Most deleted scenes are deleted because they indeed suck. Three amazing scenes that should have been in the film is not remotely usual. Overall. 5 stars.

A Heartfelt Thanks

So I would have liked this in the film. I expect it was cut because it completely reveals that Ross wanting to change and be a better person is genuine. But c'mon, Red Hulk is in the GD merch. You honestly think people knowing THIS a little early would bother them? 5 stars.

The Mission

It's hinted in the film Sam and Taylor share a non-romantic friendship and it's actually explored here. 4 stars.

Stick Around

Should have been in the film. Again, this scene shows Ross' gentler side (which is probably why it was cut) by him apologizing on behalf of the nation to Isiah Bradley. Again, I don't see what the big deal about hiding his good intentions is. I loved that Bradley correctly noted one of them was likelier to end up in the White House than the other. I mentioned I wanted the scene in the film? That! That! 4 1/2 stars.