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 action sequences, strong performances, and the impressive visual spectacle of the 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 (Spoiler-Free)
• 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 Falcon and The Winter Soldier* explored Sam's journey to embrace his new role. This film builds upon that foundation, showing Sam grappling with the weight of the Captain America mantle while navigating a world grappling with the aftermath of *Eternals*. *The New World Order* attempts to blend elements from the Steve Rogers trilogy—wartime adventures, espionage, and global intrigue—introducing Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) as Sam's partner and delivering a classic Marvel-style opening action sequence. While aiming to create a similar character arc to Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson's distinct personality shines through, offering a more nuanced portrayal, balancing serious moments with lighthearted interactions and witty dialogue.

Key Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Action Sequences: The film delivers thrilling fight scenes, particularly those featuring the visually stunning Red Hulk.
• Performances: Anthony Mackie delivers a charismatic and physically compelling performance as Sam Wilson, while Harrison Ford shines as Secretary Ross, adding depth and gravitas.
• Supporting Cast: Danny Ramirez impresses as Joaquin Torres, bringing energy and a strong dynamic to the team. The main antagonist will resonate with longtime Marvel fans.

Weaknesses:

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

Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)

Set in a world still recovering from the events of *Eternals*, President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) faces unprecedented challenges with the colossal, adamantium-covered remains of Tiamut posing both a threat and a resource opportunity. He recruits Sam Wilson to assemble a new team and secure these resources. However, an assassination attempt on the President reveals a larger conspiracy. The film follows a globe-trotting adventure filled with espionage, betrayal, and high-stakes action. Despite its premise, the film suffers from questionable scripting choices, including forced moments and illogical power scaling.

Conclusion

While *Captain America: The New World Order* has its flaws, it remains a watchable spy-action film for casual audiences. Strong cinematography, intriguing plot twists, and standout performances compensate for a weaker script. For viewers who don't expect perfection, it offers a satisfying experience. A post-credits scene hints at future Marvel storylines, leaving audiences anticipating what's to come. Whether Sam Wilson truly becomes a worthy successor to Steve Rogers remains to be seen, but *The New World Order* provides a decent, albeit imperfect, addition to the MCU.

Positive Aspects

Many praised the action sequences, especially the Red Hulk fight. Mackie's performance as Sam Wilson was lauded, as was Ford's portrayal of Ross. The Red Hulk's CGI was also a highlight. The humor between Mackie and Ramirez was a welcome contrast to the film's darker tone.

Negative Aspects

The film's main criticism centered on its weak, superficial script lacking emotional depth. The plot was considered predictable and reliant on previous Captain America film tropes. Sam Wilson's character development was insufficient, and the villain was forgettable. The pacing felt uneven.