No depth, awful dynamics and not a fun story to follow. Captain America: Brave New World, which finally came out on February 14, 2025, sadly could not live up to the legacy of its predecessors, leaving fans disappointed.
The film follows Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as he steps fully into his role as the new Captain America, trying to balance the weight of his shield with the growing political tensions in a world after Thanos’ blip. The story pits him against a rising global threat, forcing him to question the ideals that Captain America stands for. While this story could have given a chance to start fresh with the character and change its personality, it ultimately meant nothing due to awful writing and a generic plot.
From the opening action scene, the film tries to hold onto audiences with high-stakes fights and government conspiracies. However, the lack of a good villain weakens the overall threat, lowering the attention audiences feel they need to give. The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson), lacks the threat of past Marvel antagonists like Thanos or Killmonger leaving the conflict feeling forced. Instead of an emotionally gripping showdown, the climax is predictable and misses the weight a Captain America film should hold.
Unlike earlier Captain America films that covered an inner conflict, Brave New World barely covers its themes. Wilson’s struggle with identity and leadership feels more like a side plot than the heart of the film. Supporting characters including Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) and Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) do not matter to the film’s story.
Another major flaw of the film is its failure to build meaningful character relationships. The dynamic between Sam and President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) feels forced rather than natural, and any attempts at emotional depth fall short. Even potential romantic subplots feel dry, leaving audiences bored.
Marvel’s track record for putting together incredible casts holds, but even strong actors can not always save weak dialogue and surface-level character development. Anthony Mackie who proved his ability to bring depth to Sam Wilson, is given nothing to work with. His role lacks the emotional intensity you want from a hero stepping into the shoes of one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes. Ford’s talent did nothing in a role that lacked substance for the film.
One of the film’s few positives is its action choreography. While not nearly as good as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the fight scenes are well-paced and visually engaging. The CGI, which is usually criticized for being overused, did a good job of showcasing Marvel’s usual high production values. Additionally, the film doesn’t need extensive knowledge of past Captain America story lines, making it accessible to casual viewers. Since it is a new Captain America character, this film could have served as an introduction to potential new fans.
However, long-time fans may find themselves underwhelmed. After years of buildup to Sam Wilson taking on the mantle, Brave New World should have been a defining moment in Marvel’s Phase Five. Instead, it feels like another forgettable edition in a franchise struggling to reach its former glory.
For younger audiences or those simply looking for a fun superhero flick, the movie might be light-hearted entertainment. But for those expecting a solid continuation of the Captain America legacy, this entry will feel like a missed opportunity. The film had all the right ingredients but much like its script, it missed its chance to make them matter. Marvel tried to reset the Captain America series, but they missed the emotional hits and storytelling that made the last films so good.
