Commentary: ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ is a political thriller that shies away from politics. Why it feels like a step backward
This article contains spoilers for “Captain America: Brave New World.”
Towards the end of “Captain America: Brave New World,” Sam Wilson openly discusses the burden he carries, striving to embody an ideal superhero perfectly.
Wilson confides in his injured companion, Joaquin Torres, saying “If I’m not at my best, I feel like I’ve disappointed everyone who is striving for a place at that table.” He admits, “That’s a heavy weight… it makes you question if you’ll ever measure up.
Might the movie “Captain America: A New World” ever be sufficient or complete enough?
In the fourth installment of the “Captain America” franchise titled “Brave New World,” which raked in an impressive $100 million at the domestic box office over a holiday weekend, Anthony Mackie’s character, Sam Wilson, takes center stage as Captain America for the first time. Previously appearing in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” (2014) as a skilled military veteran and advisor proficient in operating a technologically advanced jet pack, Wilson has been Steve Rogers’ friend and ally for years. In “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), the original Captain America passed his legendary shield and role to Wilson.
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In the script for the most recent Marvel Cinematic Universe film, there’s an attempt to incorporate elements from numerous past ventures, which might lead to overcomplication. However, at its heart, it presents a profound tale that emphasizes Black heroism.
In the novel “Brave New World,” Wilson is frequently told he’s not like Steve Rogers by both adversaries and supposed allies. Despite pondering whether he should have taken a super-soldier serum to acquire extraordinary abilities, it is Wilson’s compassion and faith in people’s ability to transform that ultimately saves the day.
The movie comes at a moment when showing compassion towards individuals we don’t see eye-to-eye with is almost revolutionary. Unfortunately, America has grown more divided, and some people view the experiences of those from marginalized groups as mere topics for discussion rather than recognizing their humanity. Empathy seems scarce these days.
Although it’s been quite some time since “Brave New World” was first envisioned, produced, and shown, it’s striking to notice similarities between the storyline and recent events. In this adaptation, Wilson confronts a newly elected president who transforms into a colossal red monster in a fit of fury, wreaking havoc through Washington D.C. This president, who previously had a reputation for his outbursts and staunch criticism towards superheroes and other individuals with extraordinary abilities.
While most Marvel Cinematic Universe films have shied away from explicit political commentary, “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” on Disney+ delved directly into systemic issues like racism and other imbalances. This 2021 series explored the intricate legacy of America, the symbolism of Captain America, and how these concepts shape the role of a Black hero in America.
In a broader sense, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s shift towards more inclusive storytelling with films such as “Black Panther” (2018), “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021) and “The Marvels” (2023) serves as a powerful symbol. Similarly, the recent corporate trend of many companies, including Disney, scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives following President Trump’s return to office also carries significant political weight.
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30 years ago, the groundbreaking Black actor who first donned the mantle of a superhero on television in ‘M.A.N.T.I.S.’, now shares his optimism about the newest addition to the Marvel movie franchise.
In essence, “Brave New World” is actually a political thriller disguised as something else, as it steers clear of overt politics. The character of President Thaddeus Ross (portrayed by Harrison Ford) is not so much a villain as he is a complex figure who evokes sympathy. Characters like Wilson, Torres (played by Danny Ramirez), and Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) each represent different generations of Black and Latino superheroes, but this aspect is more incidental than integral to the storyline. Despite its grand scale, the film’s central conflict revolves around personal injustices and revenge rather than broader systemic issues.
It might be somewhat unreasonable to assign “Brave New World” a greater significance compared to the three previous “Captain America” films, considering that Captain America primarily fought against Nazis and politics, which appear to be simpler opponents (also appearing to originate from less complex periods).
However, when right-wing perspectives have become more assertive in criticizing diversity and inclusion, the appointment of Wilson as Captain America inevitably stirred controversy over “Brave New World.” Given that racist opposition in comic book and similar fandoms is not an uncommon occurrence, this was to be expected. With its diverse cast and the build-up to Wilson’s Captain America role, “Brave New World” presented an opportunity for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to make a stronger statement on the issue.
Due to “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” emphasizing that the concept of Captain America is deeply rooted in politics, “Brave New World” seems somewhat regressive – despite the series persisting with its progression.
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2025-02-19 14:31