Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Captain America: Brave New World And What's Making Us Happy"

Release Date: February 14, 2025

In this episode of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosts Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris, along with guests Gene Demby and Joelle Monique, delve into the latest installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), "Captain America: Brave New World", while also sharing what’s bringing them joy amidst the hustle of pop culture.

Review of "Captain America: Brave New World"

Introduction to the Film: The conversation begins with Linda Holmes introducing the new Captain America movie, highlighting Anthony Mackie’s role as Sam Wilson, who has taken up the mantle from Steve Rogers. Mackie’s Captain America faces off against President Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, in a plot involving mind control and political intrigue.

Critical Reception: Joelle Monique expresses disappointment with the film, stating, “I think the main storyline to the destructive, contentious president… he’s barely a person. He’s more of a title. And that’s deeply disappointing” (01:56). She criticizes the movie for lacking the depth and thrill expected from a political thriller, especially considering its release during Black History Month.

Glenn Weldon echoes this sentiment, describing the film as “a surprisingly thin gruel” and likening it to “watching a two-hour episode” of a Marvel TV show (04:13). He points out that while the TV series introduced significant themes, such as the treatment of black super soldiers akin to the Tuskegee experiments, the movie fails to adequately explore these elements, rendering them “toothless” and ineffective (06:11).

Gene Demby aligns with his co-hosts, adding, “I agree that it was aggressively mid” (06:24). He discusses how the film’s attempts at depth feel undercooked, partly due to last-minute reshoots that didn’t integrate seamlessly into the narrative. Demby reflects on the movie’s reliance on prior MCU knowledge, making it inaccessible to casual viewers and contributing to its overall lackluster impact (07:29).

Linda Holmes critiques the script, noting, “I think the overwhelming majority of the problems with this film are script problems” (09:09). She laments the absence of the wit and engaging dialogue that characterized earlier MCU films, suggesting that the film fails to balance fun with meaningful ideas, leaving it neither entertaining nor thought-provoking (17:33).

Character and Plot Analysis: Joelle Monique highlights issues with character development and narrative structure, particularly Sam Wilson’s portrayal. She remarks, “Some of the parts are not usually, especially in these last maybe two, three phases. Laid out in such a way that it both invites new people and continues to connect Marvel fans” (10:04). However, she notes that crucial backstory moments, like the introduction of Bucky Barnes, are poorly timed and executed, undermining their intended impact.

The hosts also discuss the film’s action sequences and special effects. While acknowledging some enjoyable moments, such as “a couple of stunts that work really well” and commendable CGI for the Hulk, they agree that these elements are not enough to salvage the film’s fundamental shortcomings (13:39, 16:12).

Humorous Interlude: In a lighter moment, the discussion shifts to the character Red Hulk, with Glenn Weldon humorously asserting, “Red Hulk is hot” (18:23), followed by playful banter about Harrison Ford’s portrayal and the unrealistic expectations placed on aging action stars. This segment provides a brief respite from the critical analysis, showcasing the hosts' camaraderie and humor.

Conclusion on the Film: The episode wraps up the film review with unanimous disappointment. Joelle Monique expresses concern over the MCU’s direction, fearing that without strong character arcs and meaningful narratives, future projects like Fantastic Four and Thunderbolts may also falter (17:21). Linda Holmes encapsulates the consensus by stating, “you can either be fun or you can have ideas. Ideally both, but not neither” (17:33), underscoring the film’s failure to achieve a balance.

What Is Making Us Happy This Week

Transitioning from critiques, the hosts share personal sources of happiness:

• Joelle Monique recommends "The One Recipe with Jesse Sparks", a food podcast that delves into the history and personal stories behind favorite recipes. She praises its engaging format and practical cooking tips, making it a delightful listen for food enthusiasts (21:39).

• Gene Demby shares his appreciation for the second season of the show "Mo", highlighting a particularly moving scene that blends bureaucracy with heartfelt moments. He praises the show’s ability to navigate complex emotions and situations (23:00).

• Glenn Weldon talks about the YouTube channel "No Rolls Barred", specifically their episodes of "Blood on the Clock Tower", a complex board game similar to Werewolf or Mafia. He enjoys the channel’s charming presentation and intricate gameplay, despite acknowledging it’s not something he could replicate in his own game nights (23:48).

• Linda Holmes recounts attending a benefit staged reading of "The Muppet Movie" script in LA. Featuring talented performers like Mark Evan Jackson and Paul F. Tompkins, the event was both entertaining and heartwarming, raising funds for fire relief. She describes it as “exactly what I wanted” and a perfect blend of humor and creativity (25:35).

The hosts conclude by inviting listeners to join NPR’s Movie Club newsletter for upcoming Oscar coverage and to continue exploring pop culture together.

Notable Quotes:

• Joelle Monique: “I think one was set up, but it falls apart in the second act. There's really no thrill or secrecy or guessing as the movie goes on.” (03:05)

• Glenn Weldon: “Superheroes are ideals. They are very flattering mirrors. They are us as we should be.” (14:44)

• Gene Demby: “It felt very much like, oh, we are deep, so deep into the Marvel Cinematic Universe… you kind of need to know a little bit about the Eternals to know, like, why there's a giant island in the middle Indian Ocean.” (09:09)

• Joelle Monique: “The coolest thing about this movie is that Sam, Captain America is like, I'm not taking this, like, toxic thing that would allow me to be almost indestructible.” (15:25)

Final Thoughts:

"Captain America: Brave New World" has sparked a robust discussion among the Pop Culture Happy Hour team, highlighting the challenges of evolving iconic characters within expansive cinematic universes. While the film attempts to address significant themes, its execution falls short, leaving both the hosts and their guests yearning for a more compelling and balanced narrative.

Meanwhile, the hosts find joy in discovering new podcasts, engaging television shows, charming YouTube channels, and heartwarming live events, reminding listeners that amidst the critiques, there are always sources of happiness to celebrate in the vast landscape of pop culture.

For more discussions and insights, tune into Pop Culture Happy Hour on NPR and join the conversation on their Facebook and Letterboxd pages.