Captain America and the Cost of Pursuing Ideals

Let's explore the character of Sam Wilson as he takes up the mantle of Captain America in the new movie, Captain America: Brave New World. As a therapist, I find his character fascinating and want to share some insights about his growth and virtues.  

A Hero with Heart

Sam Wilson has always been one of my favorite MCU characters. From his first appearance in Winter Soldier, where he ran support groups for veterans, I was hooked. A therapist who becomes a superhero?! Yes, please! It's a powerful representation of the importance of mental health and healing professions.

Themes of the Movie

Throughout the movie, three main themes stood out to me:

1. The Challenge of Doing Things the Right Way: Sam, like Steve Rogers, is a man of ideals and principles. This commitment to doing what's right, even when it's difficult, is the reason he becomes the new Captain America. Sam’s goodness is ever present in the film. He wants to make Isaiah Bradley have a seat at the table. He wants to work with President Ross, despite their history. Even when he’s fighting, he’s not trying to kill people. (Remember when superheroes weren’t all anti-heroes pushing the bounds of what’s moral or not?). He’s a reminder that striving for what's right often comes with challenges and sacrifices.
2. Reconciling Ideals with Reality: Part of Sam’s story, is the challenge of choosing to represent symbols after they’ve become tainted. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier did a wonderful job exploring that. In the show, Sam wrestles with the idea of being Captain America as a Black man, given America’s history with African Americans. This struggle is perfectly encapsulated in the character of Isaiah Bradley, who chose despondency and cynicism towards the American ideals. The complexity of it all is why he gives up the shield at the start of the show. But when we abdicate our responsibility, bad things happen. As the show continues, Sam finds a way to embrace the ideal while not disregarding the reality. He chooses hope over despondency. This theme resonates deeply, as it reflects the complexities we all face in trying to uphold our values in a challenging world.
3. Loving Your Enemies: One of the most powerful themes in the movie is the challenge of loving your enemies. Sam’s a therapist (remember) so his first move is always towards communication. And while, it comes across a bit heavy handed, what’s wrong with showing that? Do we not think communication works? Must we first resort to violence? I mean, there is plenty of fighting in the film, but at least it shows an attempt at something more. Throughout the show and movie, Sam is making that appeal. He reaches out to his enemies, tries to understand them, and tries to help them see another way forward besides revenge and rage. But the fighting is there if needed. Sam's character consistently tries to reach out and understand his adversaries, emphasizing the importance of communication and empathy over violence.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Captain America: Brave New World is not a perfect film, but it's a heartfelt one. It avoids the pitfalls of overly complex multiverse plots and focuses on telling a grounded story. The movie's emphasis on hope, communication, and doing what's right is a refreshing change. I'm excited to see where Marvel takes Sam Wilson's character next.

What did you think of Brave New World? Do you have any other characters or movies you'd like me to explore in future posts? Leave your comments below, and let's keep the conversation going. Many blessings to all of you!