Captain America: Brave New World saw President Ross become the terrifying Red Hulk, and while much of the Marvel Cinematic Universe film worked, an element of that fight brought to mind an oft-ridiculed Avengers moment. Featuring several returning characters and stories from early in the MCU, many argued that the new film was more of an Incredible Hulk sequel than Captain America. Still, there was much to like in the film, and in its use of characters like Thaddeus Ross, even if certain moments felt a little off.
Going up against a Hulk is a tough ask, as seen in the many Hulk fights in the MCU. This becomes even more difficult when recognizing Sam Wilson’s total lack of superpowers. A physical confrontation between the two seemed fated to end only one way, unless Sam Wilson was given new powers. Unfortunately, the film arguably made some strange choices about the end of this fight, and now there is genuine concern over how audiences may react to a controversial yet familiar moment that it featured.
Red Hulk Is Defeated By Reason Not Might
The Film’s Antagonist Is Beaten By Appealing To His Humanity
Thaddeus Ross has been an interesting character in the MCU, and Brave New World put a significant focus on his humanity. While Ross has certainly acted as an antagonist to the Avengers and the Hulk in the past, he is a flawed and human character, with some goodness inside of him, including love for his daughter, Betty Ross. In the culmination of the fight between him and Sam Wilson, humanity is given focus. Following a series of violent ups and downs, Sam attempts to talk the Red Hulk down from his rageful state.
Considering Ross’ love for his daughter, and his own care for reason, this is effective. During a dramatic scene, Sam is actually able to appeal to Ross’ humanity through reason, calming the giant monster down. This takes some time, and is a tense moment, but follows in the path of many previous MCU Hulk appearances. Using Sam’s skills at connecting and caring, especially in the midst of warfare, he is successfully able to talk the Red Hulk down.
Red Hulk’s Ending Is Like Age Of Ultron’s Worst Moment
The New Film Harkens Back To The Relationship Between Bruce And Natasha
Since Avengers: Age of Ultron was released, many audiences disliked how the film attempted to force a romantic relationship between Bruce Banner and Natasha. One of the most prominent moments in this relationship involved Black Widow being able to appeal to Bruce’s humanity in a similar way. Natasha would comment on how the “sun’s getting real low“, and this would help to calm Bruce. This allowed him to come out of his rage state and return to his humanity.
While there is much to be found as positive in the Bruce and Natasha dynamic, talking the Hulk down from his rageful state can feel a bit cheap.
Balancing the rage and power of the Hulk has been a difficult task, and much of the MCU has done away with this by converting Bruce into a Smart Hulk. This memorable Age of Ultron quote has since received ridicule, being made fun of in the comics and films alike. While there is much to be found as positive in the Bruce and Natasha dynamic, talking the Hulk down from his rageful state can feel a bit cheap. This makes the new film’s use of this same technique a bit worrying.
Red Hulk’s Defeat Fits Sam Wilson’s MCU Origin
Sam’s Military Background Involved Work With Soldiers Who Had PTSD
Taking down one of the strongest Hulks in the MCU through reason feels strange, but the moment does make sense. Sam does not have superpowers, restricting his ability to fight back with pure strength. Still, Sam has military training, and has spent a great deal of time working with soldiers who have struggled with PTSD. With this in mind, Sam’s being able to appeal to humanity even in the midst of terrifying violence makes sense for the character.
Sam is not Steve Rogers, and the new film works best when it reflects on that difference. The two come from different worlds, and have different abilities and talents. Allowing Sam to use reason actually makes a lot of sense for the character. Were it not for this previous Hulk moment from Age of Ultron, this might even feel like a great and innovative choice. Unfortunately, too many Hulk conflicts have been settled in similar ways, allowing the new scene to feel disappointing, even if it is a good idea in isolation.
The Red Hulk is not taken down with a lullaby, but the moment does feel surprisingly similar to that controversial technique from Age of Ultron. It’s a concerning choice for the new film, although it is hard to imagine another way that Sam could have defeated Ross in his Hulk form. The climax for Captain America: Brave New World was overall successful, although bringing this moment to mind may not have been a great choice. Fortunately for Marvel, audiences do not yet seem to be too bothered by it.
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