Talk about conflicted! That’s how I found myself when forming expectations for “Captain America: Brave New World”. On one hand, Steve Rogers was my favorite Marvel superhero as a kid. And the three previous Captain America films have been among my very favorite movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On the other hand, Steve Rogers is now gone from the MCU. And while I like the Falcon character, his messy streaming series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” didn’t start Sam’s journey as the new Cap on the right foot.

“Captain America: Brave New World” is the 35th movie in the MCU and follows on the heels of the Disney+ streaming series. It’s helmed by Julius Onah (“The Cloverfield Paradox”) who co-wrote the screenplay with the team of Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, and Peter Glanz. While my hopes were it would fall somewhere closer to the three Cap films, in many ways “Brave New World” feels like an extension of the series which isn’t the biggest compliment.

But in fairness, “Brave New World” is considerably better than its streaming predecessor. It makes an effort to maintain the more grounded and realistic vibe of the other Cap films in both its storytelling and filmmaking. And it plays on a much bigger scope and scale than the series. Yet there’s something missing from the very start. And no matter how hard it tries, “Brave New World” can’t capture what made the earlier features special.

Anthony Mackie reprises his role as Sam Wilson, formerly known as Falcon and the best friend of the now retired Steve Rogers. After being passed the shield, he stands as the new Captain America. By his side is his pal Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) who has essentially taken the mantle of Falcon for no bigger reason than to give Sam a sidekick similar to what he was to Steve in the previous MCU movies.

The story opens in Mexico where Sam and Joaquin stops an illegal black market sell of Adamantium (yep, the metal alloy that makeup Wolverine’s skeleton and claws). As a reward for his good work, Sam takes Joaquin to Baltimore to meet and train with the legendary Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), a former super soldier and mentor to Sam.

Meanwhile President-elect Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford taking over for the late William Hurt) is working hard to convince the American people that he is a changed man following the events of 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk”. Clearly enough people believed he had changed to vote for him. But some remain unconvinced, including his estranged daughter Betty (previously played by Liv Tyler) who hasn’t spoken to him in years.

Ross believes his success hinges on a proposed treaty between the United States and other countries over control of the recently discovered Adamantium. He invites Sam, Joaquin, and Isaiah to the White House as envoys while he addresses the leaders of the other nations about the importance of the treaty. But suddenly Isaiah and four other men pull weapons and attempt to kill President Ross. The assassination attempt is thwarted and a disoriented and confused Isaiah is arrested.

From there things escalate at a near comical rate. A determined Sam sets out to get to the bottom of what happened starting with exonerating Isaiah. His investigation immediately puts him at odds with Ross. But we quickly learn that someone else is pulling the strings. And both Sam and Ross are important parts of this secret puppet master’s grand plan. As it plays out, politics, espionage, grand conspiracies, and geopolitical tensions all play into the story but not always in a coherent or logical way.

As for the characters, Sam and Ross are the only ones who leave an impression. Joaquin is fine but is mostly a tag-along. Isaiah is easily the most emotionally involving but only has a small part. The always great Giancarlo Esposito is wasted as the villainous yet poorly developed Sidewinder who’s basically just a cog that the story needs on occasions. Shira Haas is unable to make the President’s Chief of Security Ruth Bat-Seraph anything more than a one-note Black Widow knock-off. And Tim Blake Nelson appears in one of the more compelling roles yet one restricted by some shaky material.

“Brave New World” has plenty of serviceable action though nothing that will get your blood pumping. And its set pieces are decent but hardly what you would call inspired. As far as Mackie, he certainly gives it his all. But despite having the physicality and commitment, he can’t quite carry the movie in the way it needs him to. It all leads to a glaringly average MCU installment that does nothing to bring back the big event feel that every MCU movie once had. “Captain America: “Brave New World” opens in theaters February 14th.

VERDICT – 2.5 STARS