Captain America: Brave New World leaves viewers with several lingering questions. This review analyzes the film's most perplexing plot points and unanswered questions.
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Banner's Absence: The film directly builds upon The Incredible Hulk, yet Bruce Banner is conspicuously absent. His expertise and connection to the unfolding events would have logically warranted his inclusion. While an explanation might be forthcoming, his absence creates a significant plot hole.
The Leader's Limited Scope: Samuel Sterns, aka The Leader, is portrayed as less of a brilliant mastermind and more of a man consumed by personal vendetta against President Ross. His actions lack the strategic depth expected of such a formidable villain, particularly given his calculated awareness of impending global threats.
Red Hulk's Inconsistent Depiction: The MCU's Red Hulk lacks the tactical prowess and intelligence showcased in the comics. His portrayal mirrors the mindless rage of the original Hulk, undermining the potential for a unique and compelling character arc.
Weapon Inconsistencies: Red Hulk's invulnerability to bullets is contradicted by his susceptibility to Captain America's vibranium blades. While vibranium's superior properties provide a plausible explanation, the inconsistency remains jarring.
Bucky's Unexpected Career Change: Bucky Barnes' sudden foray into politics feels abrupt and lacks prior foreshadowing. His past actions and personality seem ill-suited for a political career.
Sidewinder's Unexplained Grudge: Sidewinder's intense personal animosity towards Captain America remains unexplained, leaving a significant plot thread unresolved. This might be addressed in future installments.
Sabra's Underutilized Role: Ruth Bat-Seraph, the MCU adaptation of Sabra, feels underutilized and lacks a clear narrative purpose. Her inclusion as a Black Widow archetype seems arbitrary, especially given her significant divergence from the comic book character.
Adamantium's Significance: The introduction of adamantium serves primarily as a plot device, leaving its long-term impact on the MCU unclear. While its connection to Wolverine is implied, its overall significance remains to be seen.
The Avengers' Continued Absence: The film briefly touches upon the need for a new Avengers team, but fails to meaningfully progress towards its formation. The lack of groundwork for a future Avengers reunion is concerning given the proximity of Avengers: Doomsday.
Poll: Should Captain America: Brave New World have included more Avengers characters? (Options: Yes, it would have made the climax more exciting; No, this needed to be Sam's story.)
This review highlights the film's missed opportunities and unresolved plot points, leaving many questions unanswered and potentially impacting the overall narrative coherence of the MCU.