Directed by: Julius Onah Written by: Malcolm Spellman & Dalan Musson

The Captain America Shield has long been a symbol of the MCU Universe and comics for decades. It serves up the ideals of hope and justice, but I will say also perseverance. Chris Evans portrayal of the captain gave us the scrawny Bronx kid who no matter how many times he got knocked down always stood back up to keep fighting. This film marks Anthony Mackie’s debut as the titular hero in a solo film, following his character Sam Wilson’s ascension to the mantle in the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Directed by Julius Onah, the film attempts to blend political intrigue with superhero action, introducing new threats and allies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Now that Anthony Mackie has the shield, he is well aware of the big shoes he has to fill and do what he does without super solider serum. Many hoped for a epic stakes battle going into this film, yet Marvel has seemed to fumble yet again. Failing to deliver a solid theme and a brutal villain.

Now here comes the spoilers…
Five months into Thaddeus Ross’s presidency, portrayed by Harrison Ford, Sam Wilson and his partner Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), the new Falcon, are dispatched to Oaxaca, Mexico. Their mission: to intercept the Serpent Society, led by Sidewinder, from selling stolen adamantium—a newly discovered, ultra-resilient metal found on the emergent Celestial Island, the remains of Tiamut from “Eternals” (2021). While they recover the items, Sidewinder escapes, setting the stage for a deeper conspiracy. Back in the U.S., President Ross invites Wilson, Torres, and Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), a super soldier with a troubled past, to a summit at the White House. Ross proposes a treaty to regulate the mining and distribution of adamantium to prevent a global arms race. However, during the summit, the song plays, triggering several attendees, including Bradley, to attempt an assassination on Ross. This incident leads to Bradley’s arrest, though he claims no memory of the attack.

Wilson’s investigation uncovers that Dr. Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), also known as The Leader, is behind the mind-control scheme. Sterns manipulates events to tarnish Ross’s reputation and incite international conflict over adamantium resources. I felt they didn’t serve up this villain as well as they should’ve. Even Sidewinder is underutilized.

The climax unfolds on Celestial Island, where Ross and the Japanese Prime Minister vie for control over the precious metal. Sterns escalates tensions by controlling American pilots to attack the Japanese fleet, but Wilson and Torres intervene, preventing a full-scale war. Torres is critically injured, adding emotional weight to the narrative. In a public confrontation, Sterns exposes Ross’s unethical actions, including the use of gamma-infused pills to stave off heart failure, leading to Ross’s transformation into the Red Hulk. In his monstrous form, Ross wreaks havoc until Wilson appeals to his humanity, invoking memories of his daughter, Betty (Liv Tyler). This emotional plea brings Ross back to his senses, and he surrenders, leading to his incarceration.

Now that is about as cookie cutter of a plot that really served up no high stakes. Red Hulk is among the most feared character sin the comics. What we should have gotten was a fight that sees Sam try his best and get beaten more and more by the Red Hulk, Then to the point the Red Hulk injures Sam’s back and Sam is struggling to stand again. Yet the Red Hulk will watch as Sam stands up again and again only to be knocked down again and again. Each time same mustering every bit of his willpower to just stand up and try to fight. Ultimately the Red Hulk would see this man who isn’t invincible and respect his perseverance and hesitate long enough for his daughter to appear and he transforms back to himself. The film ends with Sam and Torres in rehab working together to get back on their feet. The theme of never giving up no matter what would be the rally call for forming the new Avengers.

Marvel needs to seriously hire better writers. They have been losing their magic touch and the box office receipts are proving the point. Kevin Feige…I am available.

With that, thanks for reading Writing Movie ‘WRONGS’.