Captain America: Brave New World (2025), the fourth installment in the Captain America series and the 35th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), marks a significant transition as Anthony Mackie takes up the shield as Sam Wilson, the new Captain America. Directed by Julius Onah, the film aims to establish Sam as the successor to Steve Rogers while navigating a complex web of political intrigue, action, and MCU connections. Despite strong performances and exciting action, the film struggles with a convoluted plot and uneven execution, resulting in a solid but unspectacular addition to the franchise.
Plot and Themes
Set five months after Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (Harrison Ford) is elected U.S. President, the story follows Sam Wilson and his protégé Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), the new Falcon, as they uncover a global conspiracy involving a powerful new resource, adamantium, and a nefarious mastermind. The narrative draws heavily from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), The Incredible Hulk (2008), and Eternals (2021), weaving in themes of legacy, identity, and international diplomacy. Sam's journey as a non-superpowered Captain America emphasizes his humanity and empathy, distinguishing him from Steve Rogers. However, the plot is overstuffed with subplots, villains, and exposition, making it feel rushed and lacking depth. The political thriller elements, while ambitious, avoid real-world resonance, diluting the stakes.
Performances
Anthony Mackie shines as Sam Wilson, bringing charisma, determination, and relatability to the role. His portrayal captures Sam's struggle to live up to Steve Rogers' legacy while forging his own path, making him a compelling lead despite a script that underutilizes his emotional depth. Harrison Ford, stepping in for the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross, delivers a nuanced performance, balancing political gravitas with personal redemption. Carl Lumbly's return as Isaiah Bradley, the forgotten super-soldier, adds emotional weight, serving as the film's heart. Supporting performances, such as Danny Ramirez's energetic Joaquin Torres and Tim Blake Nelson's campy Leader, are highlights, though characters like Shira Haas' Ruth Bat-Seraph and Giancarlo Esposito's Sidewinder feel underdeveloped or tacked on due to reshoots.
Action and Visuals
The action sequences are a strong point, with well-choreographed hand-to-hand combat and creative use of Sam's shield and wings. The grounded fight scenes, reminiscent of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, stand out, though some CGI-heavy moments, like the Red Hulk battle, feel underwhelming due to limited screen time and clunky visual effects. The film's color palette—red for chaos, blue for peace—adds thematic depth, but editing issues and inconsistent pacing disrupt the flow. The production, marred by extensive reshoots, occasionally feels disjointed, with noticeable seams in the final cut.
Reception and Impact
Brave New World has received mixed reviews, with a 48% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 42/100, reflecting critics' divided opinions. Audiences gave it a B– CinemaScore, the lowest for an MCU film, indicating lukewarm reception. While praised for its performances and action, the film is criticized for its messy script, forgettable villains, and reliance on MCU homework. It sets up future MCU projects, including Avengers reboots and X-Men connections via adamantium, but struggles to stand alone. Despite a racist backlash against Mackie's casting, the film grossed $414.8 million worldwide, showing commercial resilience.
Final Thoughts
Captain America: Brave New World is a mixed bag—an earnest attempt to launch Sam Wilson as Captain America that succeeds in moments but falters under the weight of its ambitions. Mackie and Ford anchor the film, and the action entertains, but the cluttered narrative and production issues prevent it from reaching the heights of its predecessors. It’s a decent popcorn flick for MCU fans, but casual viewers may find it inaccessible without prior knowledge. For a more focused political thriller, rewatch The Winter Soldier instead.
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