Pixabay

Calling all Marvel fans, it’s time to discuss the new Captain America movie—though, perhaps, not for the reasons you might expect. While the film is billed as a Captain America story, it often feels more like a showcase for a character who’s still trying to find his footing. Despite the film's faults, there’s still reason to recommend watching it—albeit for the wrong reasons.
It’s no secret that Steve Rogers will forever be the definitive Captain America. No one can truly replace him, and though Anthony Mackie’s portrayal of Sam Wilson comes close, the movie's central struggles remain. The fight scenes are spectacular, and Mackie’s performance reflects his character’s internal conflict about stepping into Rogers' iconic role. Yet, despite these promising elements, the film ultimately lacks the most important thing that makes a superhero movie stand out—an engaging story.
Marvel continues to deliver incredible action sequences, but they seem to forget that audiences crave more than just fight scenes. Without giving too much away, the film is reminiscent of the 2008 Hulk movie starring Edward Norton—except this time, there’s no actual Hulk. Instead, we get Harrison Ford as the General, which, while an interesting casting choice, doesn't add much to the plot. A mad scientist appears, but his role is as forgettable as any other villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The real disappointment comes with the much-anticipated Red Hulk, who, despite being hyped up in the trailers, is hardly in the film at all. If you blink, you might miss him entirely. This missed opportunity only deepens the film’s overall sense of wasted potential.
At the end of the day, this movie serves primarily as a setup for future Marvel projects rather than as a standalone success. Anthony Mackie does his best with the script, but it’s clear the character's journey was limited by the lackluster writing. For these reasons, this reviewer gives the film 3 out of 5 stars, and recommends watching it at home instead of in theaters.