★★★

A bit player in the Chris Evans era, Anthony Mackie never really found definition as Falcon. Marvel gave him the wings (literally) but none of the personality and individuality he needed to fly. Not that standing out was ever easy among such charismatic company as was the original Avengers. And yet, this is an age of second gos for the MCU. Soon enough, Robert Downey Jr. will return, albeit in a different guise. In the here and now, Brave New World gifts Mackie the spotlight and shield-wielding mantle of Captain America. Boy, does he take to it well. This feels a promising new direction, even if the vehicle itself couldn’t really be justifiably termed ‘brave’.