Captain America: Brave New World is far from Anthony Mackie’s first leading role in a film. It is his debut film as Captain America though after he took over the mantle in the Disney+ show, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier way back in 2021. It puts the MCU back on track and moviegoers may want more to watch after outside of the realm of Marvel.
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The following selections will focus on Anthony Mackie in political, action, and sci-fi roles that have some ties to how Captain America: Brave New World plays out. While many of these movies never became huge hits, they are secretly waiting to be discovered by more movie fans. There will not be any spoilers, so let’s jump in.
6
Elevation
Get Above The Line Or Die
Elevation is a post-apocalyptic take, following recent horror movies like A Quiet Place and its sequels. Anthony Mackie plays Will, a father whose son needs filters to breathe in the high elevations of Colorado. Three years ago humanity was almost wiped out when alien creatures appeared called Reapers. In a quick opening narration, survivors found out these Reapers cannot go above a certain elevation level which is why humanity retreated in the mountains and obviously how the movie got its title.
Unfortunately, Will needs supplies so he has to go on an expedition to find more filters, assisted by two fellow explorers. Tensions get high as they traverse the wilds of the Colorado mountains and deal with one crisis after the next. While the budget feels low and the cast is even smaller, Elevation manages to be entertaining if not laughable with some of the acting and green screen effects not being Oscar-worthy.
5
Triple 9
More Money, More Problems
Triple 9 follows the typical heist movie plot wherein things begin with a smooth operation that quickly unfolds as the criminals start to tear each other apart. Among this crew is Detective Belmont, played by Mackie, who is one of several corrupt cops in this bank robbery gang. They collectively work under a Russian mob boss and are trying to get out of it.
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This was supposed to be the last job but of course, there is always one more job after the one more job pitch. While the first and final bank heists will not rival anything from Heat or even any of the bank jobs in Grand Theft Auto 5, Mackie gives a great performance as he and the rest of the crew descend into bloody madness. The cast is stacked too including Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, and Chiwetel Ejiofor just to name a few beside Mackie, and Triple 9 is well-directed as a crime drama.
4
Point Blank
A Hit And Run Gone Bad
Point Blank is one of several Netflix movies that Mackie stars in. Of the several exclusives to the platform, Point Blank is an easy thrill ride to enjoy from start to finish. Things begin with Abe, played by Frank Grillo, escaping what seems to be an assassination plot. Marvel fans may recognize Grillo as he played Crossbones in a few MCU outings.
In his escape, he gets hit by a car and is stationed in the hospital where Mackie works. Paul, Mackie’s character, has to break Abe out to save his wife, as Abe’s brother kidnapped her for collateral. Armed with gadgets and pills to keep Abe alive, Paul is on the run from the cops with a lucid criminal in tow. It’s an estranged buddy movie but one more serious without much comedy although the two do share some moments of levity among daring chases.
3
Our Brand Is Crisis
Calamity Jane Rides Again
Ben, played by Mackie, is one of several political analysts who go and recruit a retired campaign manager, Jane, played by Sandra Bullock, in Our Brand is Crisis. She lost several campaigns in a row and suffers from personal disorders which is why she secluded herself in the mountains. Yet Ben talks her into joining a new campaign to aid the Bolivians for one of their candidates, Pedro played by Joaquim de Almeida.
Fans of Mackie’s co-star from Captain America: Brave New World, Harrison Ford, may recognize Joaquim de Almeida as one of the villains from the brilliant Ford film, Clear and Present Danger. Back to Our Brand is Crisis, Bullock is clearly the lead as is her political campaign manager rival, Pat, played by Billy Bob Thornton. It’s an interesting look at politics in another country with plenty of dark humor and heart along the way. Mackie has a smaller role but his support helps carry the movie at times.
2
Synchronic
Time Is An Illusion
It’s kind of hard to tell what Synchronic is as half of the movie makes it feel like a full-on psychological mystery. Things open up when Steve, played by Mackie, starts to figure out a connecting source at the crime scenes he arrives at with his medical team. People around the city are doing a new drug called Synchronic. After being ambushed by the creator, Steve discovers the drug is supposed to make people feel like they can travel in time.
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In this chaos, Steve’s partner, Dennis, loses his daughter, Brianna, at one of these crime scenes. With cancer knocking at his backdoor, Steve decides to try the drug for himself in hopes of finding a connection to Brianna. What he gets is quite the surprise which won’t be spoiled here. Let’s just say things get infinitely more interesting about forty minutes in.
1
The Hurt Locker
One Tense War Movie
The Hurt Locker isn’t just a good Anthony Mackie movie, it’s an award-winning movie that everyone should see. It begins with Mackie, Sergeant J. T. Sanborn, witnessing his bomb specialist die on a mission. That’s when Jeremy Renner enters the picture as Sergeant William James, the new explosive technician. At the start, James is clearly unlike any soldier around him.
He’s relaxed even in these firefights or when he’s diffusing a bomb. He even gets along with the locals and doesn’t treat everyone like a terrorist. He’s infinitely more likable than Sanborn who comes across as a soldier with no heart. That thick skin eventually melts as the two bond through more and more harrowing skirmishes. Video game fans will even get a treat as Gears of War makes a quick cameo.
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