The latest Marvel movie doesn’t soar quite as high as it needs to

The mantle of Captain America — a symbol of hope in a world that desperately needs it — isn’t an easy one to carry. But even with a futuristic flight suit and a shield that can defy the laws of physics, Sam Wilson’s first big-screen adventure as the new Cap is surprisingly turbulent.

To best understand “Captain America: Brave New World” — the fourth “Captain America” movie and the 35th(!) film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — a little backstory is needed. At the end of 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) bequeathed the title of Captain America, along with his unnaturally bouncy vibranium shield, to Sam (Anthony Mackie), then known as the Falcon. In the 2021 series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” on Disney+, Sam comes into his own as the new Cap, setting up the events of “Brave New World,” directed by Julius Onah (“The Cloverfield Paradox”).

Read the full review at The Seattle Times.

Three “No one likes you when you’re angry” stars out of five.