Latest news with #M.C.U.
New York Times
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The New ‘Captain America' Movie Isn't Great. But Don't Call Him a D.E.I. Hire.
'Captain America: Brave New World' is a mediocre-at-best movie, a roughly cobbled together film that pales in comparison to the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's still better than the franchise's most recent run of disasters, and its strong opening weekend at the box office seems to have restored some momentum to the M.C.U. But the most remarkable part of this film is the irony of how it lands in the political moment: 'Brave New World' features a Black iteration of the quintessential American superhero a month into an administration that has made eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion one of its first priorities. In a way, Disney's timing regarding diversity was always going to be off. For most of the run of one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time, diversity was an afterthought. For the first decade of the M.C.U., over the course of more than a dozen films, the heroes carrying the franchise — the central protagonists — were exclusively white men, until Chadwick Boseman led 'Black Panther' in 2018. So, yeah, Disney started out a little behind. But when it came down to the handoff of the star-spangled shield from the blond-haired and blue-eyed Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), Disney actually built a steady platform for the M.C.U.'s first Black Captain America to lead his own film. The 2021 Marvel TV series 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' provided the space for Sam to develop into Captain America in earnest, not just as a kind of M.C.U. diversity hire. Sam's transformation into the Captain could have easily been the M.C.U.'s version of 'The Blind Side,' a tale of a Black man's triumph under the tutelage of the true, original white hero. He also could have been the Uncle Tom Captain, a servile Black man unquestioningly putting his life on the line. But 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' explored Sam's reticence in taking on the mantle of Captain America, given how his Blackness so often marginalized him, made him a target or turned him into a stereotype in the eyes of some of his fellow citizens. The show also introduced a Black super soldier named Isaiah Bradley, who received the super serum like Steve Rogers. But Isaiah never became the lauded hero Steve did; he was made a prisoner and a science project, jailed and experimented on for 30 years. He's a reminder to Sam of what can happen as a Black man in American, no matter his standing, his strength or his title. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
New York Times
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Catching Up With Captain America
The Marvel Cinematic Universe was vastly different when the last Captain America movie premiered nine years ago. In 'Captain America: Civil War,' the supervillain Thanos had not yet snuffed out half of humanity, Tony Stark was still alive and the vibranium shield of Captain America still belonged to Steve Rogers. Now, in 'Captain America: Brave New World' (in theaters), the shield and its hefty responsibilities have passed to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), the winged Avenger who must decipher the origins of an attack on the President. The film's plot draws on classic Marvel movies like 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' and 'Avengers: Endgame,' but it also features characters from more recent offerings, such as the Marvel series on Disney+, 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.' Here's what you need to know before watching. How did Sam Wilson become Captain America? For much of the history of the M.C.U., Captain America was synonymous with Steve Rogers, the frail but big-hearted young man who transformed into one of Marvel's most recognizable heroes when he received a super serum and an indestructible shield. In 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier,' Rogers befriends Wilson, an Air Force veteran grieving the loss of his wingman. Equipped with the Falcon flight suit, Wilson joins forces with Rogers to combat terrorists and other threats. He quickly becomes one of Captain America's closest allies, siding with Rogers when the Avengers split into feuding factions in 'Captain America: Civil War.' Wilson was one of the many people who disappeared in the five-year 'Blip' caused by Thanos's snap, but he reappeared in 'Avengers: Endgame.' In 'Endgame,' Rogers goes back in time to return the Infinity Stones but instead of returning to the present day, he decides to stay in the past and live a full life with his lover Peggy Carter. Wilson ultimately finds Rogers sitting on a bench, his face wrinkled and his body aged. Rogers hands him the shield and anoints him as the new Captain America. 'I'll do my best,' Wilson says. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
