Captain America Brave New World was a highly anticipated Marvel movie that was supposed to bring the old glory back to Marvel after a series of bad movies and shows. So does it live up to the legacy of its predecessors? Is the next installment of Captain America Brave New World worth watching? This is what we are going to discuss today in this Captain America Brave New World Review.
Seeing the initial reviews the movie failed to deliver what was promised, it didn’t reach the heights of previous Marvel movies featuring the iconic shield. Even Though, the movie boasts a talented cast and ambitious geopolitical themes, the narrative fails to capture the interest of the viewers.
Anthony Mackie Shines as Captain America In Brave New World
Anthony Mackie who plays Sam Wilson the new Captain America in the movie has given a spectacular performance in the movie and it is one of the strongest aspects of the movie. Sam Wilson received the mantle of Captain America in the Marvel’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier limited series and this new movie aimed at solidifying his status as the new Captain America of MCU.
Even though the movie was narrative wise a complete disaster, Mackie’s performance as Captain America was pretty solid. He truly captured the essence of the Star Spangled hero be it delivering an impassioned speech or engaging in high-flying combat, he embodies a hero torn between political pressures and personal duty. Anthony Mackie’s performance really stood out and showed that he has a lots of potential and deserves good scripts.
A Messy Geopolitical Thriller : Captain America Review
At its core, Captain America: Brave New World attempts to blend political intrigue with superhero action, echoing the success of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. However, while Winter Soldier maintained a tight and thrilling narrative, Brave New World struggles under the weight of multiple subplots.
The story revolves around President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford), whose administration is pushing for a multinational treaty to mine the rare element Adamantium. Sam Wilson, despite his distrust of Ross, gets caught up in the political maneuvering when an assassination attempt involving Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) derails an international summit.
The first act sets up a compelling premise, promising a thought-provoking take on power, loyalty, and global agendas. Unfortunately, the film soon spirals into chaos as too many storylines compete for attention.
From Political Drama to Hulk Smash : A Brave New World
One of the biggest issues with Brave New World is its inability to maintain focus. While the first half presents a grounded, espionage-like thriller, the second half devolves into a campy, CGI-heavy spectacle.
Instead of developing the political tensions, the film shifts gears when Ross transforms into the Red Hulk. The climax, which sees Captain America and Red Hulk tearing through Washington, D.C., feels more like an over-the-top brawl than the thoughtful commentary the film initially promised.
Although Ford brings depth to Ross before his monstrous transformation, his Red Hulk persona lacks the nuance needed to make him a truly compelling antagonist. The shift from political thriller to monster battle is jarring, making Brave New World feel like two different movies awkwardly stitched together.
Supporting Cast Brings Some Highlights
Despite the film’s narrative flaws, the supporting cast manages to inject some much-needed energy.
- Giancarlo Esposito as Sidewinder: A standout addition, Esposito plays a ruthless mercenary with the kind of intensity that could have made for a great main villain. His scenes with Mackie are among the film’s strongest moments.
- Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph: A skilled security adviser with ties to Black Widow’s past, Haas delivers a captivating performance that hints at a deeper backstory.
- Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres: Sam Wilson’s high-flying partner continues to be a reliable ally, though he is underutilized.
- Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns: Returning from The Incredible Hulk, Nelson’s portrayal of the big-brained villain adds some nostalgic appeal.
If anything, the performances suggest that with a more focused story, Brave New World could have been a much stronger film.
The Problem with Modern Marvel Movies: Captain America Brave New World Review
Like many recent MCU films, Captain America: Brave New World seems more interested in setting up future stories than delivering a compelling standalone adventure.
The film borrows elements from The Eternals and The Incredible Hulk, weaving in characters and references that might excite die-hard fans but ultimately bog down the story. This over-reliance on connecting past and future MCU projects detracts from the film’s individual impact.
Even the Captain America Brave New World post-credit scene feels more like a teaser for upcoming Marvel movies than a meaningful conclusion to the story.
How Long Is Captain America: Brave New World?
For those wondering, Captain America: Brave New World runs for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Unfortunately, the pacing struggles, with an uneven first half that builds intrigue before collapsing into an underwhelming final act.
Does Captain America Brave New World Have an End Credit Scene?
Yes, Captain America: Brave New World includes a post-credit scene, though its significance might vary depending on how invested you are in future MCU setups. The Brave New World post-credit scene hints at major shifts in the MCU, but it doesn’t do much to redeem the film’s flaws.
Rotten Tomatoes Score of Captain America Brave New World Review and Audience Reactions
As of now, Captain America: Brave New World has received mixed reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Mackie’s performance but criticizing the film’s unfocused plot. Audience reactions have also been divided, with some appreciating the action-packed sequences while others feel let down by the lack of a compelling story.
Captain America: Brave New World is a film with strong performances and intriguing ideas, but it ultimately crumbles under its own weight. It tries to be both a political thriller and a monster-fueled spectacle, failing to fully commit to either.
While Anthony Mackie proves he’s more than capable of carrying a Captain America movie, he deserves a stronger script and a clearer vision. Hopefully, future installments will provide him with a story worthy of his talent.
Final Rating: ★★½ out of 4
For fans eagerly awaiting the next phase of the MCU, Brave New World is still worth a watch, but don’t expect it to reach the heights of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
