#serpant

Brave New World's opening perfectly establishes the paranoia thriller and the status quo of the MCU. The opening title card transition was really good with Sterns' laboratory and the flashing blue lights. While the lack of the traditional MCU title card is understandable given the political thriller homage, it does feel weird not to see it but it was a good choice to ground the movie instead of using it to establish the escapism aspect of the MCU.

Aside from the Sidewinder scenes (and even then it was added really well), Julius Onah and his team did an amazing job of integrating the reshoots into the already filmed material seamlessly.

Sam Wilson proves why he's Captain America. From when he prioritizes saving the hostages over Adamantium to talking down Red Hulk by appealing to his better self, he showcases empathy and heart. Anthony Mackie brings out a down-to-earth nature to Sam allowing us to bond and relate to him. I really like how everyone from heroes, civilians, and even villains address Sam as Captain America after TFATWS has Sam note how some people will hate him becoming Captain America. Despite Sam not taking on the serum, he shows how he's just as capable as any super soldier. His conversation with Torres at the end about living up to the legacy of Captain America really hits me with the pressure to be on point or else let down people who wish to be recognized and accepted. I just wish the movie had dedicated more time to Sam Wilson because what we got showcases why Sam Wilson is a great Cap. His new Stealth Suit and helmet are also great.

"If I'm not on point... I feel like I let down everyone else who was fighting for a seat at that table. That's pressure, man. It weighs on you. It makes you wonder if you'll ever just be... enough." Sam Wilson/Captain America

President Ross' arc was noice. Harrison Ford managed to give depth to and humanize someone who was one of the biggest hate sinks in the MCU. Ross knows what he did in the past tainted not only his legacy but estranged him from the only family he has. However, he cannot truly fix his mistakes and begin to make amends until he takes accountability for the wrongs he did to others. In our time, we see a lack of accountability by politicians and other major influential figures. The whole conflict in the film and really everything in the MCU involving Ross is due to him not taking accountability for his faults. He always has some excuse or way to get out. Now, it all comes crashing down for him. This reminds me a bit of Bojack Horseman, the character eventually wants to genuinely change, but they can't change until they confess and take accountability for their shitty horrifying actions in the past. At first, they deny taking accountability when called out and relapse to their old selves, but eventually, they accept the consequences and take accountability.

"I have dedicated my entire life to serving this country. The one person who matters doesn't seem to understand. Betty never forgave me for sending the army after Banner. I had to survive so that my daughter knew that there was more to her father. That I'm the same man that used to take her to see the cherry blossoms." Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross/Red Hulk

Samuel Sterns' actions may be monstrous with his willingness to kill innocent people and start World War Three, but one can fully understand why he wanted to destroy Ross' legacy and image. As mentioned in Ross' arc, Ross, instead of taking accountability for the Harlem incident, pinned the blame on Samuel Sterns. Not only did he keep him locked up for 16 years and put more Gamma in his blood, but forced him to serve as his personal think tank in exchange for a pardon. When Ross doesn't even show half the loyalty Sterns showed, Sterns, understandably pissed off, dedicated his time to destroying Ross' legacy and image. Sterns may have poisoned the pills, but given how he saw the probabilities of Ross betraying him, I think he would've given him the cure had Ross defied the probabilities. But Ross, being Ross, proved to him that he couldn't change and wanted justice for what he did to him. For all we know, Sterns might've been a terrorist or wanted to help humanity in positive ways had he gotten a pardon, but we'll never know because of Ross' decision. Tim Blake Nelson really captures the bitterness and anger Sterns has towards Ross. I also like the subversion of Sterns referring to himself as "The Hero" rather than "The Leader". Also, props to the practical design for the Leader's head because that was creepy rather than uncanny like MODOK. I also like the detail of the mind control trigger song being "Mr. Blue" which makes me wonder if he likes the song a lot to use Mr. Blue as his alias in the Incredible Hulk.

"You let me rot in this prison. And it was my curse to watch your betrayal written in probabilities. I'm making my own choices now. So many surprises left... When I'm done, everyone will know just who you are, and Betty will despise you even more. Goodbye, Mr. President." Samuel Sterns/The Leader

Danny Ramierz as Joaquin Torres really brings out infectious positive energy. I really like him as the new Falcon, and I relate to him being inspired by diverse heroes. I'm so glad that his helmet is a practical non-CGI helmet. I'm so tired of the Nanotech and Nanotech-like VFX helmets in the MCU and in general. Also, his armor looks really great. Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley did an amazing job portraying the second Captain America. It's really nice to see him being a lot more happier in the movie compared to the show, which only makes the next part sadder. To see the pain and trauma of being locked up again after being falsely accused of being a willing assassin is heartbreaking. The way those cops arrested Isaiah brings some disturbing parallels irl. I'm so happy Isaiah got justice in the end and how he gets referred to as Captain America. As I said, Giancarlo was wasted, but he did make a memorable performance as Sidewinder. I really like the physicality of his character compared to other villain roles he takes on. I can't wait to see where else he'll pop out since Giancarlo said he'll appear in other MCU projects. Ruth sure is a character who exists.

Laura Karpman's score in the movie is mixed. I do like her score in the movie, and the Conspiracy theme is really good. The main title track did a great job of establishing the tone. However, the musical continuity suffers as Laura uses a brand new theme for Sam (Brave New World) instead of Louisiana Hero, and the new theme just doesn't live up to Louisiana Hero. Laura still proves why she's still one of MCU's best composers with the Conspiracy theme and Ross' theme, but I felt they should've hired Henry Jackman for this movie, both to retain continuity with the CA scores and for the political thriller tone.

That White House assassination sequence was done really well. I really like seeing Isaiah showcase his super soldier skills.

I like Camp Echo One's design. It really gives off the creepy black site vibes. The fight scene in the lab was also shot and done really really.

I wish Sam's Stealth Suit was made from Adamantium. Given how Nate Moore confirmed that the daggers Copperhead used were made from Adamantium (explaining how Sam's TFATWS suit was damaged), I wished we got a Stealth Suite that was partially made or fully made from Adamantium.

The reveal of Ross' dying heart really puts his heart problem issues in a much far darker and sadder light. We see how Ross genuinely does want to change both to leave a better legacy and reconnect with his daughter. But to do so, he not only made Sterns a scapegoat for his actions and experimented on him, but he lied to him because of his fear of him not making more pills for him. Sam rightfully points out that to be better is to do the hard things to truly showcase your desire to make amends because what Ross did showcase, despite his genuine desire to change, he got up to the top by shady and outright criminal means.

Given how Ross used Sterns as his personal think tank, I wonder how much of Ross' ideas came from Sterns. Was the Sokovia Accords Sterns' idea for Ross to pass his pro-superhero government agenda? I wouldn't be surprised if Ross ran as a third-party candidate and won because of Sterns' ideas.

The Celestial Island battle sequence was the best part of the movie. We get to see Captain America and Falcon showcase their skills over the skies. In IMAX, the scale of Tiamut's corpse was definitely worth the price of admission. It also makes me miss the Eternals.

I still find it funny that Japan would be willing to risk conflict with the US. I know that Japan has a history with Adamantium and a theme is how Sterns is turning the US' allies against each other but it's still silly. At least, the movie shows that both sides didn't really want to risk actual conflict. Realistically, I feel like China would be the one who would be aggressively wanting Celestial Island and be more willing to risk open conflict. Also, France sure was a choice.

Bucky Barnes's cameo was noice. I really like his friendship with Sam, and it makes me wish he was a part of the main cast just like TFATWS. Also Bucky for MCU (and irl) President, please.

I know they didn't intend for this but it feels fitting that the President of the United States turns into a raging red monster in the White House mindlessly destroying everything around him. Except, our President and his sycophants are always raging (orange in our President's case) monsters.

The Red Hulk fight scene was pretty good. However, I do wish it was longer. They really shouldn't have advertised Red Hulk in the trailers, given the main plot hinges on how the twist is Sterns wanted Ross to become Red Hulk. I really like how we saw how Sam had to use his wits to survive and how, had he let his guard down for one second, Red Hulk would've killed him. This and Sam talking down to Red Hulk once again show why Sam is Captain America. The cherry blossoms make for good symbolism, especially as one lands on Red Hulk's hand without burning.

It does feel very satisfying to see Ross take accountability by willingly resigning the Presidency and turning himself over to pay for his crimes after what we learned he did. I do wonder if Thunderbolts will reveal who Ross' VP is since we never learned who Ross' VP is. The irony of him being not only a Hulk but locked up in the Raft is not lost on him either. It is nice to finally see that once he finally took accountability, he finally proved to Betty that he really did want to change for the better, and Betty can begin reconnecting with her father. Plus, the treaty he worked so hard got ratified as the world entered a brand new world of Adamantium.

The conversation between Sam and Torres was really heartwarming and relatable. I cannot wait for the Avengers team led by Sam and with Torres as its second official member. Also, the post-credit scene definitely sets up the upcoming Avengers movies.

I feel like a major issue is that this movie is more of an Incredibles Hulk sequel (Incredibles Hulk: Brave New World one might say) than a Captain America movie. As a result, it just feels weird to have an Incredibles Hulk sequel without Hulk if Thor Ragnorak could do it without undermining Thor's character arc, then BNW could've done it somehow. But it again showcases how it doesn't feel like a CA mobie and more of a Hulk movie. It also does a disservice to Sam's character because we see a lot of great material with Captain America. With all the exposition to TFATWS, it just reinforces my feelings that TFATWS should've been the fourth CA movie. The movie should've been longer since I wish several scenes had a bit more screen time to flesh them out. I also wished they had Eli Bradley in the movie which had TFATWS been a movie and had BNW been longer, we could've seen him. The supporting cast of the movie isn't strong and memorable which is a shame.

This movie was a decent MCU entry and definitely a worthy watch. It has multiple flaws, but the positives shine through. I focused a lot on the positives because all the negative reviews don't really present the good aspects of this movie. One thing is clear: Mackie is Cap.

Bonus: The IMAX animation of BNW got an amazing F4 version with Michael Giacchino’s F4 theme.

"Where I grew up, I only ever got to see heroes online or on TV. They always feel so far away. And I kept thinking maybe if I got out of Miami, maybe one day I could be..." Joaquin Torres/The Falcon

"Don't say Ant-Man." Sam Wilson/Captain America

"No, man. I wanted to be you. Sam Wilson." Joaquin Torres/The Falcon

"Well..." Sam Wilson/Captain America