Marvel Studios has kicked off its 2025 slate of movies with the release of Captain America: Brave New World. However, this sequel suggests a challenging year ahead for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Unfortunately, it's not the robust performance we anticipated from the first film featuring Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as the new Captain America. For a more detailed critique, you can check out IGN's Captain America: Brave New World review.
At times, Brave New World left audiences puzzled with its unresolved questions and underdeveloped characters. For instance, what's the story behind new characters like Ruth Bat-Seraph and Sidewinder? Why does The Leader seem less than the brilliant mastermind we expect? And where are key characters like the Hulk and the Avengers? Let's delve into the most perplexing questions that arose after watching Captain America: Brave New World.
Captain America: Brave New World Gallery
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Where Was Banner This Whole Time?
It took 17 years, but Marvel finally delivered a sequel to The Incredible Hulk with Captain America: Brave New World. The film ties up many loose ends from Hulk's initial MCU solo adventure. We see what happened to Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns after his gamma exposure, and Harrison Ford's Thaddeus Ross faces consequences for his past actions. It's also the first time since The Incredible Hulk that Liv Tyler has reprised her role as Betty Ross.
Despite these connections, one crucial element is missing: the Hulk himself. Why was Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner absent from a story so deeply rooted in The Incredible Hulk? Banner's response to Thaddeus Ross becoming President or to his old friend "Mr. Blue" turning into a gamma-irradiated super-genius plotting global chaos seems like a no-brainer. Additionally, his absence during a crisis involving a crimson Hulk attacking the White House feels glaring.
While Marvel might eventually explain Banner's absence by saying he was off-world with his son Skaar, this doesn't change the fact that his absence leaves a significant gap in the plot. Brave New World focuses on Sam Wilson's journey to understand the need for the Avengers, yet it only manages a brief cameo from Sebastian Stan's Bucky. Surely, there was room to include Banner in some capacity.
Why Does The Leader Think So Small? -----------------------------------In Brave New World, Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns, now sporting a giant green noggin and a grudge against President Ross, returns. The gamma radiation has supposedly made him as intellectually powerful as the Hulk is physically strong. However, the film struggles to showcase Sterns' strategic brilliance convincingly. He seems to consistently overlook Captain America in his plans, which feels implausible given his supposed intellect.
Moreover, it's puzzling why Sterns turns himself in during the film's climax. His masterstroke against Ross involves merely playing a recorded phone call to the press. Why not remain at large and plan further schemes? The film portrays Sterns as a villain with a personal vendetta against Ross rather than a global mastermind. Given his ability to foresee doomsday scenarios, it's surprising he's more focused on tarnishing Ross's reputation than on global threats.
Why Is Red Hulk So Much Like Green Hulk?
Art by Ed McGuinness. (Image Credit: Marvel)Brave New World features an epic showdown between Captain America and a transformed President Ross, who becomes the Red Hulk. This plot twist draws from Marvel's comic books, but the MCU's Red Hulk deviates from the source material. In the comics, Red Hulk retains his intelligence, making him a more tactical and ruthless adversary. In the film, however, he's as uncontrolled and mindless as the early versions of the Hulk, subdued by thoughts of Betty.
While the irony of Ross becoming what he despises is compelling, it's disappointing that Brave New World doesn't offer a more comic-accurate portrayal of Red Hulk. This was an opportunity to present a different take on the Hulk archetype—a battle-tested soldier with limitless strength. We hope that future MCU appearances of Red Hulk will explore this unique character more thoroughly.
Why Did Those Blades Hurt Red Hulk but Not Bullets?
As Red Hulk, Ross exhibits similar powers to the Hulk, including super-strength and invulnerability. He shrugs off bullets, but Captain America's vibranium blades cut him. The explanation likely lies in the unique properties of vibranium, which allows Sam's weapons to pierce Red Hulk's skin. This raises interesting possibilities for future confrontations, such as a battle with Wolverine's adamantium claws.
Why Is Bucky a Politician Now?
Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes makes a brief cameo, revealing that he's now on the campaign trail as an aspiring politician. This development raises questions about Bucky's political ambitions, which were never hinted at in his previous MCU appearances. Considering his history as the Winter Soldier, manipulated into assassinations, it's surprising to see him enter the political arena.
While it's heartening to see the film acknowledge Sam and Bucky's friendship, Bucky's new career path seems out of character. More details about his political journey are expected in the upcoming Thunderbolts* movie.
Why Does Sidewinder Want to Kill Cap So Badly? ----------------------------------------------With Frank Grillo's Crossbones out of the picture, Brave New World introduces Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder, leader of the Serpent terrorist cell. Sidewinder's personal vendetta against Captain America is never fully explained, despite his willingness to kill Sam for free. Even after his capture, he remains determined to finish the job.
The film leaves Sidewinder's motivations ambiguous, possibly due to significant reshoots that altered the script. With Esposito hinting at Sidewinder's future in a Disney+ series, this plot thread needs further exploration.
What Was the Point of Sabra, Exactly?
Shira Haas's Ruth Bat-Seraph, a former Red Room operative turned bodyguard for President Ross, joins the cast. Initially an obstacle, she becomes an ally upon uncovering the conspiracy. However, Ruth's role feels underutilized, serving as a minor hurdle before fading into the background.
The choice to adapt the Sabra character from the comics, despite significant changes to her backstory and powers, raises questions. Why not create an entirely new character if the adaptation deviates so much from the source material?
What’s the Deal With Adamantium Now? ------------------------------------Brave New World introduces adamantium, a new super-metal discovered in the race to harvest Tiamut's riches. While it drives the plot forward as a MacGuffin, its broader implications remain unclear. Is this the last we'll see of global powers vying for adamantium, or is the Ross/Ozaki Accords merely a temporary solution?
The introduction of adamantium paves the way for Wolverine's eventual MCU debut, but its long-term impact on the MCU remains to be seen. Given Marvel's track record, it may take years before adamantium's significance is fully explored in other projects.
Why Are We No Closer to the Avengers?
Years after the disbandment of the Avengers, the MCU has introduced numerous new heroes, but a new Avengers team remains elusive. By the end of Phase 2, the MCU had already seen two Avengers films, yet at the end of Phase 5, the reformation of the Avengers feels distant.Brave New World touches on the idea of reassembling the Avengers, with Ross proposing the idea and Sam contemplating his role as a leader. However, the film doesn't progress beyond this concept. The final battle with Red Hulk could have benefited from additional Avengers, turning it into a more thrilling team-up akin to Captain America: Civil War. Instead, the new Avengers will start from scratch when Avengers: Doomsday arrives in 2026.
What do you think? What left you saying “WTF?!?” after watching Brave New World? And should the film have included more Avengers? Share your thoughts in the comments below and vote in our poll:
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