Is it brave or brazen?
REVIEWED BY Ruwandi Perera
The first Marvel movie to be screened in cinemas in six months, Captain America: Brave New World has a lot going on for it – good, bad and beyond.
Too many expectations and too many people wanting not to like it – purely because we seldom like change – are a lot to begin with. Add to that the new characters, a storyline that captures everything from US politics to skeletons in Marvel closets, numerous hints at future big hits plus a basket of Easter eggs, and you’ve got a cinematic tough nut to crack.
It’s always tricky to fill someone’s shoes; and when they belong to Chris Evans… well, you know what we mean.
Yet, Anthony Mackie has managed to put a smile of relief on our faces. The new Captain America may be less powerful and appear more of a scaled down version of the original Avenger team member but the character seems to be in good hands.
Mackie has always been a part of the Marvel universe, playing Sam Wilson and his alter ego Falcon; but now, he’s picked up the shield (literally), and delivers a charming and impactful performance – albeit in a role that doesn’t really seem to match his potential.
He portrays the incorruptibility of Captain America well and we’re promised many good things from him in future Avengers movies.
While the movie is about Captain America – at least title wise – the big gun, both in terms of actor and character, appears to be Harrison Ford and his role as President Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross.
This is Ford’s second time playing the role of the President of the United States – a part he played back in 1997 in Air Force One.
The movie legend and seasoned actor seems to elevate the film, bringing a sense of compassion to the obsessive and dedicated soldier personality. Ford makes it easy for us to like Ross as he battles secret health concerns, frustrations and anger; and of course, the big red monster waiting to break free from within him.
Leaving aside the star-studded Marvel puzzle that requires much research into past Marvel movies and heaps of predictive ability regarding future tales, we Sri Lankans have another reason to be astounded by the latest Captain America instalment. Sri Lanka’s very own Rajeev Colton (Wickramaratne) is behind the scenes as a Director’s Assistant!
Having been a movie fan since watching Jurassic Park at the age of six, Rajeev has been involved in acting, writing, directing and producing. He’s invested in learning the ropes of moviemaking from a young age, having made several award-winning short films in college, earning a BFA in Film from Evangel University; and later, an MFA from Chapman University.
And having been recommended – post-graduation – for the role of Director’s Assistant, the 32 year old has put Sri Lanka on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) map!
Like it, hate it or stuck in the middle – whatever you feel about Captain America: Brave New World, we must admit that it’s kept us at the edge of our seats… before and after coming out.
And with that post-credits scene where Samuel Sterns warns Wilson about a looming threat from other worlds and universes, we may all agree that we can’t wait for the next Avengers movie!
“Whatever you feel about Captain America: Brave New World, we must admit that it’s kept us at the edge of our seats”
