‘Captain America 4’ Questions and Plot Holes, Explained

fellow ScreenCrush enthusiasts, I’ve just wrapped up Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” and let me tell you, it left me scratching my head on more than one occasion. There are some plot points that seem a tad implausible, to put it mildly. For instance, if President Ross is Earth’s foremost Hulk pursuer, why aren’t his security detail ever ready for a rumble with the Green Goliath? And if Sam Wilson (our new Cap) hasn’t been dosed with the Super-Soldier Serum, how on earth does he manage to endure explosions, stabbings, and a one-on-one smackdown with the Red Hulk? Food for thought, indeed.

In our recent Captain America video, we provide solutions to the queries you’ve been pondering about the movie. We strive to make clear that numerous supposed plot inconsistencies are actually nonexistent. For instance, the film does offer an explanation for Sam’s survival in large-scale conflicts: His latest costume and wings are crafted from Wakandan vibranium, which can capture and redirect kinetic energy. Essentially, Hulk’s punches are absorbed by the suit before being re-directed towards adversaries.

Watch our full breakdown of Captain America: Brave New World issues and unanswered questions below:

If you enjoyed dissecting the plot inconsistencies in “Captain America: Brave New World” and found it interesting, don’t forget to explore more of our videos down below! We have a variety of content for you, such as an analysis of all the Marvel Easter eggs hidden within “Captain America: Brave New World”, a detailed breakdown of its ending and post-credits scene, and a comprehensive review of the Thunderbolts Super Bowl trailer, including what you might have missed. Additionally, our YouTube channel, ScreenCrush, is packed with even more fascinating videos. Remember to subscribe to stay updated on all our upcoming episodes. “Captain America: Brave New World” is currently playing in cinemas near you.

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Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

35. Eternals

Initially, I wouldn’t have anticipated that a Marvel film, helmed by an Academy Award winner and inspired by some of Jack Kirby’s most daring comics, would result in one of the company’s least significant productions. Regrettably, Eternals failed to coalesce effectively. It maintains a substantial adherence to Kirby’s fundamental principles with a few minor yet bothersome alterations, such as transforming the antagonistic Deviants into generic creatures lacking clear objectives or motivations. The ensemble cast boasts commendable supporting roles from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry; however, the leading pair – Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris – struggle to convincingly portray their supposed passionate romance (a relationship that spans 6,000 years, yet appears as though they’re on their initial, awkward date). The script occasionally delves into intriguing themes about the bonds between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to forsake them repeatedly in favor of routine battle sequences involving uninteresting monsters. It is challenging to conceive a more tedious film concerning immortal alien robots striving to avert impending apocalypse than this one.

34. The Incredible Hulk

In my opinion, the haphazard and unrefined nature of this production makes it seem as though Marvel was taken aback by the immense success of Iron Man and hastily produced this. I must admit, the casting of Tim Roth as the world’s ultimate soldier, who transforms into a colossal bony creature, is not what I would consider a masterstroke, to put it mildly. (You can read more about it here.)

33. Thor: The Dark World

Nearly delivering a Thor film directed by Patty Jenkins, we ended up with something quite different – a monotonous pursuit of a mystical artifact, starring one of the dullest villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, if there’s any silver lining, it might be that this movie’s less-than-stellar performance could have encouraged Marvel to take more risks and create the unique and entertaining experience we saw in Thor: Ragnarok (for further reading, see the link provided).

32. The Marvels

This Marvel film isn’t the poorest in quality – it surpasses three others on this list, after all – yet it can be considered the most disorganized and intense. Three captivating Marvel characters (Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau) are haphazardly thrown together to prevent a Kree warlord from causing mischief for unclear reasons. The actors share excellent chemistry, but the plot, though concise, is chaotic and filled with questionable decisions that don’t seem to make much sense.

31. Captain America: Brave New World

A perfect setting yet a lackluster narrative is quite the fitting description for several recent underwhelming Marvel films, such as The Marvels, and it’s particularly applicable to Captain America: Brave New World. This long-awaited solo film for Anthony Mackie’s captivating character Sam Wilson unfortunately pairs him with a dull antagonist and a tale overflowing with unnecessary references to The Incredible Hulk – leaving us all puzzled about Betty Ross’ whereabouts, a question we never knew we had.

30. Doctor Strange

Unique images are certainly appealing, however, “Doctor Strange” struggles to escape the sensation that it’s essentially a replica of “Iron Man 2, but with magic” thrown in. On the positive side, the intriguing ending featuring Dormammu was well done. Unfortunately, the quirky cape worn by Strange didn’t quite work for me. (For more thoughts on this film, click here.)

29. Iron Man 2

Surprisingly better than you may recall, yet not exceptional. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skills can conceal many flaws, but not all of them. Trimming 15 minutes of the setup for Avengers could potentially create a more compelling piece. (Read more here.)

28. Ant-Man

The Ant-Man film isn’t bad, but it feels like a scaled-down version of what we could have had from director Edgar Wright. However, Michael Peña’s character, Luis, might just be the finest non-superpowered character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more here.)

27. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

In the battle between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even Kang himself (portrayed by the intimidating Jonathan Majors) acknowledges that Scott Lang is out of his depth. This seemingly lopsided matchup can be seen as a symbol for the movie itself: The down-to-earth, low-stakes universe of the Ant-Man series, known for its clever humor and lovable characters, struggles to keep pace with the grand multiversal saga unfolding in Marvel Phase 5. As a blockbuster Marvel film, it’s satisfactory. However, as a follow-up to the Ant-Man franchise, it falls short of expectations. Unfortunately, if you were hoping to see Michael Peña’s character Luis in this installment, you’ll be disappointed as he doesn’t make an appearance at all.

26. Ant-Man and the Wasp

The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its compactness, featuring Paul Rudd’s humorous exchanges with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt monologues, and a heartwarming, intimate story about a fractured family striving to mend itself. (For further details, click here.)

25. Captain Marvel

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson’s character Carol Danvers could potentially be its most powerful hero. However, her movie fell short in terms of emotional depth. Despite this, it remained engaging thanks to two standout performances: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson, along with his remarkably convincing de-aging visual effects, portraying a younger Nick Fury. (You can read more about it here.)

24. Black Widow

In 2021, Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo venture as Black Widow took place, stepping away from the Avengers. However, instead of leading her own show, she mostly served as the straight character alongside her witty Russian superhero family members such as David Harbour’s self-absorbed Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s captivating Yelena. Consequently, Black Widow may not have been the fitting farewell the character should have had. Nonetheless, it remains another strong Marvel production with thrilling stunt scenes and a formidable villain in Taskmaster, who has the ability to replicate the combat styles of any adversary he encounters.

23. Thor: Love and Thunder

Experiencing Taika Waititi’s second Thor film, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” is somewhat like watching a magician perform the same trick twice in quick succession. The initial performance left you awestruck. However, while the second act retains its charm, it lacks the shock value of the first. Christian Bale delivers a chilling portrayal as Gorr the God-Butcher, but his intense and deeply emotional villain seems somewhat incongruous with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his constant humor. The film shares many elements with Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but they don’t quite harmonize as well this time around.

22. Deadpool & Wolverine

In this film, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s camaraderie is everything you could ask for. Their cameos are unexpected and jaw-dropping. However, the story seems to push the limits of how much information it can cram in without becoming confusing. (One might wonder if a character can have too many tragic pasts? This movie certainly explores that boundary!) If you manage not to think about anything on the screen for even a moment, you’ll find yourself having an enjoyable experience. Jackman and Reynolds successfully deliver the dynamic duo of Deadpool and Wolverine reluctantly joining forces to save the Fox X-Men universe. You might just wish the writers, including Reynolds himself, had provided a slightly more coherent script.

21. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

An alternate take on the movie “Iron Man 2”: Less impressive than you recall, yet still satisfying. The promotional efforts exaggerated the conspiracy-thriller aspect, but Anthony Mackie’s Falcon proves a valuable asset to the series, and Chris Evans continues to embody Captain America with strength and reliability. However, it remains bothersome that Nick Fury, the world’s foremost spy, was clueless about the evil within SHIELD except for himself and his two companions. Come on, man. Wake up! (For more details, click here.)

20. Avengers: Infinity War

While this film certainly delivers on its grand scale and epic ending, it might not fully satisfy if you’re seeking a deeper emotional connection or character development beyond the action sequences and witty dialogues. If you’re mainly here for the spectacle and humor that Marvel is known for, then this movie should meet your expectations. However, if you appreciate the subtler aspects like character growth and camaraderie between the battles, you might find this film lacking in those areas. (For further insights, check out the link provided.)

19. Iron Man 3

The film was generally enjoyable, but its connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe slightly detracted from it. The storyline culminates in Tony Stark giving up his Iron Man persona and vanishing into the sunset. However, he went on to appear in five more films following this. While Guy Pearce’s performance as Killian was underwhelming, Robert Downey Jr.’s exchanges with a clever child were outstanding. (You can read more about it here.)

18. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Initially, let me clarify that the climax, featuring dragons and beasts clashing amidst a thick gray fog, is disappointing due to its poor CGI execution. However, prior to this point, Shang-Chi may well prove to be Marvel’s finest action movie, boasting numerous intricate and intense fight sequences. The one on the San Francisco bus is particularly enjoyable. Simu Liu delivers a strong lead performance in this film, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh offering rich supporting roles. Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina provide ample comic relief throughout the movie. Interestingly, Kingsley’s portrayal of the former Mandarin Trevor Slattery, who was not initially well-received as a Marvel villain, has been transformed into a delightful side character by Marvel.

17. Thor

In an unexpected twist, here’s a small-town New Mexico setting that hosts a cinematic spectacle spanning the universe – reminiscent of the epic tale told in “Thor”. Despite having its flaws, “Thor” marked the beginning of Marvel’s signature triumph where stellar casting and captivating performances managed to overshadow structural and script problems, later becoming a hallmark of the Marvel series. (Continue reading .)

16. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

In the task of creating “Wakanda Forever”, director Ryan Coogler confronted an enormously tough predicament. Apart from crafting a sequel that matched the success of the original “Black Panther”, he had to accomplish this without the captivating lead, Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away in the summer of 2020 during pre-production. The film excels when it seamlessly incorporates the grief felt by Coogler and the cast over Boseman into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with the loss of its king. Unfortunately, the remainder of the movie can be a bit disorganized; a blend of intriguing concepts, an excessive number of characters, and an adversary whose motivations, Namor the underwater king, become somewhat unclear.

15. Captain America: Civil War

The plot of this film is questionable at best, and it seems to be primarily constructed towards the epic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, which takes place at an airport. But let me tell you, that airport battle is absolutely thrilling! (You can read more about it here.)

14. Spider-Man: No Way Home

In Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie, we find similarities to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film. Both are packed with numerous villains, but on a positive note, this film effectively portrays Peter Parker as a character – someone who frequently falls short but never gives up on trying to correct his mistakes in the future. It also significantly introduces the concept of the multiverse into MCU films, making a significant mark in the ongoing storyline.

Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man film shares resemblances with Sam Raimi’s third movie in terms of overcrowding villains. However, it excels at depicting Peter Parker’s character – a man who persistently strives to make amends for his past mistakes. Moreover, the film plays a pivotal role in introducing the multiverse into MCU films, leaving a lasting impact on the saga’s narrative.

13. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

15 years later, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe with this thrilling, unconventional tale centered around a struggle for the survival of the multiverse. Similar to his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi creatively incorporated his unique style and visuals – such as slapstick humor, maniacal zombies, and sudden jumps – into the conventional Marvel mold. (For more details, see here.)

12. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Despite some criticisms such as it being less impressive than the initial Avengers film and the confusion surrounding Wanda and Pietro’s storyline, I remain captivated by the climactic scene in which the Avengers unite to rescue every single soul in Sokovia. This final sequence embodies the essence of Marvel at its finest. (You can read more about it here.)

11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

The sequel of Marvel’s lighthearted franchise was unusually lengthy, featuring at least four post-credits scenes. It takes audacity to such an extent to create a follow-up that concludes on a somber note. This is the only Marvel film that has managed to make me shed tears, and it even includes jokes about alien deity phallic symbols. In my opinion, this combination makes for a highly effective blend. (You can read more here.)

The sequel of Marvel’s jokiest franchise had at least four post-credits scenes, making the film unusually long. It takes guts to create a follow-up ending on a downer note. This is the only Marvel movie that moved me to tears and also included jokes about alien deity penises. In my view, this unique mix makes for an effective film. (You can read more here.)

10. Thor: Ragnarok

I just really like when Jeff Goldblum plays a space god who DJs his own parties. (Read more here.)

9. Spider-Man: Far From Home

In the sequel to Marvel’s Spidey movie, starring Tom Holland as the acrobatic Spider-Man, the film slightly falls short of its predecessor, yet it offers an abundance of romance, action, humor, and emotion. Despite no one uttering the phrase “with great power comes great responsibility,” Far From Home delves deeply into this concept, just like any other Spiderman movie. Peter Parker, portrayed by Holland, finds himself in a dilemma as he balances his longing for romance with MJ, brilliantly played by Zendaya, and the directives from Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson with an amusing touch of irritation, to thwart a group of destructive elemental beings.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

James Gunn skillfully wraps up his Guardians trilogy with a movie that perfectly blends the Marvel formula: Thrilling action scenes, quirky sci-fi visuals, and deeply emotional characters that we grow incredibly attached to. By the finale of Volume 3, Rocket Raccoon transforms from a secondary Marvel character to one of the company’s most compelling and tragic heroes. After a series of less impressive films, Gunn makes it seem effortless. Unfortunately, he is now moving on to DC Studios.

7. Avengers: Endgame

Stepping up a notch from “Infinity War,” I’d say it’s the nearly unparalleled second Avengers film, bursting with colossal action sequences, hearty humor, and an abundance of Easter eggs that might just outnumber any movie across all cinematic universes. (For more details, check it out .)

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Among the most enjoyable Marvel Cinematic Universe films, this one boasts captivating characters, thrilling Spiderman sequences, and an unexpected street vendor requesting a flip from Spider-Man, which he performs. Aren’t you hooked?! (Continue reading here.)

5. Guardians of the Galaxy

Halfway through the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far, the original Guardians movie played a significant role in making Marvel seem less serious and proved that their brand was powerful enough to attract viewers to relatively unknown properties. Before James Gunn came along, the Guardians were barely mentioned, but he transformed them into an unexpected box office hit. It’s indisputable, Rocket is undeniably the best Guardian – just take it as a given fact and move on without debate. (For more details, check out this article.)

4. Captain America: The First Avenger

Despite some inconsistencies in its narrative structure (as a whole war is compressed into a series of quick scenes), “Captain America,” portrayed by Chris Evans, stands out as one of the most successful adaptations within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film transformed a character that was often criticized for being dull or outdated into a dynamic, endearing, multi-faceted figure embodying timeless human values. Perfect for those moments when you seek inspiration. [Read more here.]

3. Black Panther

In contrast to many Marvel films striving for profound links with the cosmos, Black Panther demonstrates the merit of a self-contained narrative. At the climax of the film, when Black Panther decides to expose Wakanda to the global community (and its characters to future appearances), it’s intended as a joyous resolution. However, if this decision leads to a sequel that is more scattered and includes numerous guest appearances, perhaps it isn’t so cheerful after all. (Read further here.)

2. The Avengers

Despite the events of “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” film remains a remarkable feat that continues to astound. Each character is skillfully balanced, the dialogue flows seamlessly, and the extended Battle of New York is undeniably one of the greatest action sequences of the 21st century. (Read more here.)

1. Iron Man

To this day, no other film has surpassed its initial brilliance. Looking back, not being tied to a broader cinematic universe allowed it to excel as a motion picture, and the scenes featuring Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark testing his armor and taking flight for the first time portray the excitement of superpowers more effectively than any movie ever made by Marvel or another studio. (Read more here.)

2025-02-24 19:25