President's Day At The Movies: 'Brave New World' And 'Paddington 3'

HOLLYWOOD, CA — This President's Day weekend, a superhero and a Peruvian bear dominate the cinematic landscape on the big screen.

Marvel fans, get excited! “Captain America: Brave New World,” the latest feature film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, arrives this weekend. Anthony Mackie, in his first standalone film as America’s superhero, leads a cast of returning MCU stars, including Danny Ramirez, Liv Tyler and Tim Blake Nelson. Harrison Ford also joins the continuing action-packed saga.

As for family entertainment, movie fans can check out “Paddington in Peru,” where the eponymous genteel bear (voiced by Ben Wishaw) returns to his native homeland, along with his adoptive family (Hugh Bonneville and Emily Mortimer).

Check out what we thought of the two new releases below.

Movies Out This Weekend

“Captain America: Brave New World”

Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez; directed by Julius Onah

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) saga continues with a “Captain America” film, starring Anthony Mackie in his first standalone film as America’s superhero.

Marvel fans will recall that Mackie made his MCU debut in 2014’s “Captain America: Winter Soldier” as Sam Wilson, an Air Force veteran-turned Avenger Falcon. Then in 2019, the actor reprised his iconic role in the superhero blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame,” setting Wilson’s path towards taking up the mantle of Captain America from Steve Rogers (Chris Evans).

Two years later, Mackie shined with a starring role, alongside Sebastian Stan, in the Disney Plus superhero series, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” The six-episode season concluded with a groundbreaking story, ultimately serving up an official conduit for Mackie's Sam Wilson to become the next Captain America.

Undoubtedly, Julius Onah’s “Captain America: The Brave New World” is a direct sequel to the Disney Plus 2021 series. However, in more ways than one, the latest movie also shares several cinematic strands with 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk,” bringing a handful of main characters back from the original “Hulk” film into the spotlight.

So, expect the MCU returns of Bruce Banner’s old flame Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) and scientist Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson). Let’s not forget Thunderbolt Ross (Harrison Ford), who is suddenly propelled to become the Red Hulk.

Notwithstanding, it is not a prerequisite to watch the Disney Plus series or “The Incredible Hulk” before making your jaunt to the theaters.

Finally, suffice to say, “Brave New World” abounds with high-octane action sequences and high-stakes political thrills — though there are times when the peaks and valleys of the screenplay feel rather off and uneven, leaving much more to be desired.

“Paddington in Peru”

Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Olivia Colman, Ben Wishaw; directed by Dougal Wilson

The heartwarming third installment in the “Paddington” movie franchise, based on Michael Bond’s beloved children’s stories, is every bit as delightful as its two predecessors — 2017’s “Paddington 2” and 2014’s “Paddington”— in terms of family entertainment.

In “Paddington in Peru,” the adventure saga continues as Paddington (voiced by Ben Wishaw) returns to the eponymous bear’s native homeland in Peru, along with his adoptive family, the Browns (Hugh Bonneville and Emily Mortimer), to locate the whereabouts of his Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton). Apparently, she is now spending her days and nights in a Peruvian retirement residence for bears.

And so begins their quest that takes them into the treacherous Amazon jungle. Meanwhile, an explorer (Antonio Banderas), who is searching for a mythical city of gold called El Dorado, unexpectedly joins the pack.

Oh! Did we tell you about Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman), who runs the retirement home? Get ready for the guitar-playing nun. Although she might not have the great elan displayed by Hugh Grant's Buchanan in “Paddington 2,” she's still a real hoot to say the least.

Go see the movie!