Captain America: The New World Order — An Honest Reaction

On February 12th, *Captain America: The New World Order* premiered to a wave of mixed critical reviews. While some lauded the film's impressive action sequences, strong performances, and the visually stunning Red Hulk, others criticized its shallow storytelling and underdeveloped plot. This in-depth review explores both the film's strengths and weaknesses.

Table of Contents

• A New Era for Captain America
• Key Strengths and Weaknesses
• Plot Summary (Without Spoilers)
• Conclusion
• Positive Aspects
• Negative Aspects

A New Era for Captain America

Following Steve Rogers' passing of the shield to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in *Avengers: Endgame*, the question of Bucky Barnes' potential claim to the mantle sparked considerable debate among fans. Marvel, acknowledging this canonical ambiguity (both characters held the role in the comics), cleverly portrayed Sam and Bucky's close friendship in *The Falcon and The Winter Soldier*. This series showcased Sam's gradual acceptance of his new role, moving from initial self-doubt to a confident embrace of his identity as Captain America, despite representing a country that doesn't always represent him.

*The New World Order* attempts to blend elements from Steve Rogers' trilogy—wartime adventures, espionage, and global intrigue—introducing Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) as Sam's new partner. The film, while featuring familiar CGI shortcomings, opens with a classic, high-octane Marvel action sequence.

While Sam Wilson contrasts sharply with Steve Rogers, the film strives to mold him into a similar archetype. His dialogue often echoes Rogers', and his demeanor leans towards seriousness, punctuated by moments of levity during aerial combat and humorous exchanges with friends. While some criticize the film's perceived lack of humor, the lighter moments, particularly with Torres, and the cleverly placed witty lines during tense situations, are well-balanced and contribute to the character's evolution, avoiding the over-the-top comedic style of other Marvel films.

Key Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Action Sequences: The film delivers thrilling fight choreography, particularly the scenes featuring the visually spectacular Red Hulk.
• Performances: Anthony Mackie brings both charm and impressive physicality to the role of Sam Wilson, while Harrison Ford shines as Secretary Ross, adding depth and nuance.
• Supporting Cast: Danny Ramirez is impressive as Joaquin Torres, bringing energy and versatility to the team dynamic. The main antagonist will be a delight for long-time Marvel fans with their appearance and motivations.

Weaknesses:

• Script Issues: The screenplay suffers from superficial writing, abrupt character developments, and inconsistencies in Sam's abilities, particularly against the Red Hulk.
• Predictable Plot: Despite a promising setup, the narrative becomes predictable, relying heavily on recycled tropes from previous Captain America films.
• Underdeveloped Characters: Sam Wilson feels one-dimensional compared to Steve Rogers, and the villain is easily forgettable.

Plot Summary (Without Spoilers)

Set in a world still recovering from the events of *Eternals*, *The New World Order* features Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) as President of the United States. With the colossal, adamantium-covered corpse of Tiamut jutting from the ocean, the world faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities for resource exploitation. Ross recruits Sam Wilson to assemble a new Avengers team to secure these resources. However, an assassination attempt on the President reveals a sinister plot orchestrated by a mysterious villain, leading to a globe-trotting adventure filled with espionage, betrayal, and high-stakes action.

Despite its intriguing premise, the film falters due to poor scripting choices. Key moments feel contrived, such as Sam's sudden costume changes and inexplicable power boosts. The climactic battle with the Red Hulk raises questions about the logic of pitting a seemingly ordinary human against such a powerful adversary.

Conclusion

While *Captain America: The New World Order* has its flaws, it remains a watchable spy-action film for casual viewers. Enjoyable cinematography, intriguing plot twists, and strong performances compensate for the weaker script. For those who don't expect perfection, the film delivers a satisfying viewing experience. A post-credits scene hints at future Marvel developments, leaving fans anticipating what's next.

Will Sam Wilson ultimately prove a worthy successor to Steve Rogers? Only time will tell. For now, *The New World Order* serves as a decent, albeit imperfect, addition to the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Positive Aspects

Many critics praised the film's action sequences, especially the Red Hulk battle. Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Sam Wilson was lauded for its charm and physicality, while Harrison Ford's performance as Secretary Ross added depth. The Red Hulk's CGI was also a highlight. Some reviewers appreciated the humor between Mackie and Ramirez, offering a contrast to the film's darker tone.

Negative Aspects

The most common criticisms centered on the weak, superficial script, lacking emotional depth. Many felt the plot was predictable and relied on familiar tropes. Sam Wilson's character development was deemed insufficient, making him one-dimensional compared to Steve Rogers. The villain was forgettable, and the pacing was uneven. While visually impressive, "Captain America: The New World Order" ultimately falls short in delivering a truly compelling narrative.