Captain America: The New World Order — An Honest Reaction

On February 12th, *Captain America: The New World Order* debuted to a wave of mixed reviews. While some lauded the film's impressive action sequences, strong performances, and the visually stunning Red Hulk, others criticized its shallow storytelling and underdeveloped plot. This in-depth review explores both the film's strengths and weaknesses.

Table of Contents

• A New Era for Captain America
• Key Strengths and Weaknesses
• Plot Summary (Without Spoilers)
• Conclusion
• Positive Aspects
• Negative Aspects

A New Era for Captain America

Following Steve Rogers' passing of the shield in Avengers: Endgame, Sam Wilson's (Anthony Mackie) ascension as Captain America sparked considerable debate. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier addressed this, showcasing Sam's journey from self-doubt to embracing his new role. The New World Order attempts to blend elements from the Steve Rogers trilogy – wartime adventures, espionage, and global intrigue – introducing Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) as Sam's partner. The film opens with a classic Marvel action sequence, showcasing familiar, yet sometimes criticized, CGI. While aiming to create a similar figure to Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson's portrayal differs significantly. His dialogue often mirrors Rogers', yet his demeanor is more serious, punctuated by moments of levity during aerial combat and interactions with friends. This measured approach to humor works well, avoiding the over-the-top comedic elements found in other MCU films.

Key Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Action Sequences: The film delivers thrilling action, especially the sequences featuring the visually impressive Red Hulk.
• Performances: Anthony Mackie brings charm and physicality to the role of Sam Wilson, while Harrison Ford shines as Secretary Ross, adding depth and nuance.
• Supporting Cast: Danny Ramirez excels as Joaquin Torres, bringing energy and a strong dynamic to the team. The main antagonist will resonate with long-time Marvel fans.

Weaknesses:

• Script Issues: The script suffers from superficial writing, abrupt character development, and inconsistencies in Sam's abilities, particularly against the Red Hulk.
• Predictable Plot: Despite a promising setup, the narrative becomes predictable, relying on familiar tropes from previous Captain America films.
• Underdeveloped Characters: Sam Wilson feels less nuanced than Steve Rogers, and the villain is somewhat forgettable.

Plot Summary (Without Spoilers)

Set after Eternals, the film features Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) as President of the United States, facing unprecedented challenges presented by Tiamut's massive, adamantium-covered corpse. Ross enlists Sam Wilson to assemble a new team and secure valuable resources from Tiamut's remains. An assassination attempt on the President reveals a mysterious villain's involvement, leading to a globe-trotting adventure filled with espionage and high-stakes action. Despite the intriguing premise, poor scripting choices, forced moments (like Sam's costume changes), and questionable logic in the climactic battle with the Red Hulk, detract from the overall experience.

Conclusion

Captain America: The New World Order, while flawed, provides a solid spy-action film enjoyable for casual viewers. Strong cinematography, intriguing plot twists, and standout performances compensate for the weaker script. For those not expecting perfection, it offers a satisfying watch. A post-credits scene hints at future Marvel developments, leaving audiences anticipating what's next. Whether Sam Wilson truly becomes a worthy successor to Steve Rogers remains to be seen, but The New World Order serves as a decent, albeit imperfect, addition to the MCU.

Positive Aspects

Many critics praised the film's action sequences, especially the Red Hulk battle. Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Sam Wilson and Harrison Ford's performance as Secretary Ross were highlighted, as were the film's visual effects, particularly the Red Hulk. The humor between Mackie and Ramirez also received positive feedback.

Negative Aspects

The film's weakest element was its script, criticized for being superficial and lacking emotional depth. The predictable plot, relying on familiar tropes, and the underdeveloped Sam Wilson character were common criticisms. The forgettable villain and uneven pacing were also noted. While visually impressive, the film ultimately falls short in delivering a truly compelling narrative.