The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand its world. Now, ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, playing in theaters, brings Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson into the spotlight in his first solo film as the new Captain America.
The movie introduces Adamantium into the MCU and pits Sam against a deadly adversary, Copperhead. The villain is armed with weapons made from the nearly indestructible metal. However, the film leaves some major questions unanswered.
Copperhead’s Adamantium Daggers Were Shocking Due To The Metal Being So New In The MCU
One of ‘Captain America: Brave New World‘s most intense moments comes when Sam Wilson faces off against Copperhead. Unlike previous MCU villains, Copperhead wields Adamantium knuckle dusters and daggers, one of which slices through Sam’s Vibranium suit.
This is a shocking moment, as Vibranium has long been considered the strongest metal in the MCU. However, the movie never explains how Copperhead got his hands on Adamantium weapons so quickly. Marvel established that Adamantium was only recently discovered in the MCU.
The discovery followed the revelation that the Celestial Tiamut (frozen in the ocean) was a new source of the ultra-durable metal. With Japan only recently beginning to extract Adamantium, how did Copperhead already have access to such refined weapons? Moreover, the film provides no backstory on how this happened.
Marvel producer Nate Moore attempted to provide some insight in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “Merging Tiamut with the idea of it being the birthplace of Adamantium we thought was really interesting because it’s something that’s only in the MCU,” he explained. This explanation does little to clarify how villains already have weapons made from it.
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Receives Lowest Cinemascore In MCU History
Beyond its in-universe inconsistencies, ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ has also struggled with its reception. The film is the first of three MCU projects set to release this year. However, while it has exceeded box office expectations, the critical response has been lukewarm.
In case you missed it: ‘Thunderbolts*’ Trailer Might’ve Spoiled ‘Captain America: Brave New World’
The has set a record for the lowest Cinemascore rating in the history of the MCU, scoring a B-. While that may not sound disastrous, it’s a significant drop compared to previous Cap films, which have typically scored in the A-range. This B- rating suggests that general audiences walked away feeling underwhelmed.
However, the movie still has its defenders with fans appreciating the fresh take on Sam Wilson. Despite the film’s flaws, ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ still serves as an important chapter in the MCU. It was a major building block for the upcoming story and set the stage for larger battles ahead.
