What’s It About
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
The latest superhero movie brings a fresh face to a familiar role, with Anthony Mackie stepping up as Sam Wilson, the new Captain America. Running just under two hours, the film focuses on Wilson proving he deserves to carry the shield, which he handles impressively in action scenes. Aside from being extremely timely because it comes during a major political transition in America, the film also parallels our ongoing discourse regarding representation and government leadership. Harrison Ford was cast as President Thaddeus Ross, replacing William Hurt, who embodied the role in earlier films. Aged but determined, Ford plays a tough leader trying to change his image from that of a warmonger to a peacemaker. He had released the project to develop the Hulk and tracked him down through Harlem, damaging his relationship with his daughter Betty (Liv Tyler), who is now refusing to talk to him. This depiction of a controversial president burdened with a complicated history creatively parallels such recent administrations with respect to how the past affects leadership potentials in the present. The plot kicks off when Ross invites Wilson to the White House to discuss the restoration of the Avengers. The hijinks begin when Wilson’s friend Isaiah, a former super soldier who was wrongfully imprisoned, proceeds to attempt to assassinate the president. With the very act of an assassination, the point is raised around mind control and manipulation since Bradley’s action appears to be out of character. This storyline includes themes of experimentation on soldiers by the government and the historical mistreatment of veterans, thus feeding into real-life discussions about military accountability and how to treat service members. Celestial Island, a new landmass in the Indian Ocean, rich in adamantium, a very rare element that could advance science and medicine, is what the story revolves around. International tensions explode during a World Summit over these resources, culminating in an aerial dogfight as Japan attempts to take over the adamantium supply. This point in the story is an allegory of current world debates on rare earth elements and natural resources, as well as discussions in this era about international cooperation versus nationalism. Wilson’s journey as the new Captain America illustrates a wider narrative about who gets to represent America’s ideals. Through Wilson’s experiences during the film as a Black man stepping into a role reserved for people of the Caucasian race till then, the film rather subtly engages with discussions around this weighty responsibility and parallels it with real-life discourses about representation in leadership positions. The character chooses an alternative pathway for work and seeks to intertwine it with modern issues, America’s promise, and some part of its sordid history. The supporting cast offers a fair share of tales of their own that give cult richness to the surrounding story. Danny Ramirez’ Joaquin Torres is training as the new Falcon, bringing some lighthearted moments into the mix, as well as everything it represents to him – the new breed of heroes. The security of the free world is represented by Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Mossad agent turned protector of Victoria Santos as the president. Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder and Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns represent different forms of opposition to authority, with Sterns’ character – a scientist with his brain growing outside his head – serving as a literal metaphor for intelligence without wisdom. The film’s treatment of genetic engineering and mind control raises ethical questions that feel especially relevant in an era of A.I. advancement and concerns about manipulation through media and technology. These elements of the story suggest to them the boundaries of scientific progress and governmental power, themes strongly echoed in today’s raging debate on privacy, security, and human enhancement. Though the action scenes are good and conventional, they were intended to serve the story rather than overshadow it. The movie sometimes slows down for characters to explain plot points, but these moments allow for a deeper exploration of its themes. Some of the biggest moments, including Ford’s transformation into the Red Hulk, might feel less surprising to viewers who’ve seen the movie’s marketing campaign, though they still pack a visual punch. The film’s way of handling political themes stands out even more in this period. It discusses issues of power, responsibility, and representation minus the preachiness or lack of entertainment. The story of a Black Captain America, working during a time of political ambivalence and global tension, creates easy parallels to the events around the globe, whereas the resource war reflects real-world geopolitics. The film works best when curbing back to Wilson’s character development and his interpretation of what it means to be Captain America in today’s uncertainty of global affairs. Mackie brings an easy-going charm to the role and looks equally convincing whether he’s wearing a suit in diplomatic situations or his superhero uniform in battle scenes. His performance helps carry the movie through its slower moments and more complex plot points while also providing a relatable perspective on leadership and responsibility. It’s a straightforward story when compared to some of the even more recent superhero movies. There’s no universe-hopping or excessive special effects. Rather, it’s a simple story with characters anyone could recognize. Still, it puts in a fresh character or two here and there just to keep things interesting. While it might not break new ground for superhero movies, it successfully continues the story while wrapping up some old plot threads and starting new conversations about representation, power, and responsibility in both the fictional universe and our own world.
OUR RATING – A REAL WORLD 8