Captain America: The New World Order — An Honest Reaction

Captain America: The New World Order – A Review

On February 12th, Captain America: The New World Order premiered, receiving a mixed critical reception. While praised for its action and performances, the film's narrative depth was heavily criticized. This review delves into the film's strengths and weaknesses.

A New Legacy

Following Steve Rogers' passing of the shield in Avengers: Endgame, Sam Wilson's (Anthony Mackie) ascension as Captain America was explored in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. The New World Order attempts to blend elements from the previous Captain America trilogy, incorporating wartime themes, espionage, and global locations. It introduces Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) as Sam's partner, and features a classic Marvel action-opening sequence. The film attempts to position Sam as a successor to Steve Rogers, mirroring his dialogue and demeanor, although Sam's personality differs significantly, particularly in his lighter moments with Torres.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Action: The film delivers exciting fight sequences, especially those featuring the visually impressive Red Hulk.
• Performances: Anthony Mackie provides a charismatic portrayal of Sam Wilson, while Harrison Ford excels as Secretary Ross, adding depth to the narrative.
• Supporting Cast: Danny Ramirez shines as Joaquin Torres, enhancing the team dynamic. The main antagonist will resonate with long-time Marvel fans.

Weaknesses:

• Script: The screenplay suffers from shallow writing, abrupt character arcs, and inconsistencies in Sam's abilities.
• Predictability: Despite a promising premise, the plot becomes predictable, relying on familiar Captain America tropes.
• Character Development: Sam Wilson feels underdeveloped compared to Steve Rogers, and the villain is forgettable.

Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)

Following the events of Eternals, President Taddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) enlists Sam Wilson to assemble a new Avengers team to secure resources from Tiamut's massive, adamantium-covered corpse. An assassination attempt on the President reveals a hidden villain. The ensuing adventure involves espionage, betrayal, and intense action. However, the film falters due to questionable script choices, including abrupt costume changes and illogical power scaling.

Conclusion

Captain America: The New World Order is a watchable spy-action film, with strong cinematography, engaging plot twists, and excellent performances compensating for a weaker script. Casual viewers will likely find it enjoyable. A post-credits scene hints at future Marvel storylines. Whether Sam Wilson becomes a worthy successor remains to be seen, but this film offers a decent, if imperfect, addition to the MCU.

Positive Aspects (Summary): Action sequences (especially the Red Hulk), Mackie's performance, Ford's nuanced portrayal of Ross, and the visual effects were all praised. The humor between Mackie and Ramirez was also appreciated.

Negative Aspects (Summary): The film's main criticisms centered on its weak, superficial script, predictable plot, underdeveloped characters (particularly Sam Wilson), and a forgettable villain. Pacing issues were also noted. Despite its visual spectacle, the narrative fell short.