Captain America: Brave New World marks a significant chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), presenting Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in his inaugural feature-length adventure as the new Captain America.
Directed by Julius Onah, the movie picks up with Sam embracing his role as Captain America, following the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Disney + series. The plot centers around newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, who seeks to broker a multinational treaty concerning the valuable resource adamantium, discovered on the Celestial Island—a remnant from the events of Eternals. However, an assassination attempt during a White House event involving a mind-controlled Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) propels Wilson into a complex conspiracy. Teaming up with his new partner, Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), the duo delves into a web of political machinations, uncovering a plot orchestrated by the vengeful scientist Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), also known as the Leader.
Like Winter Soldier, this film is set primarily in Washington, D.C., and follows its protagonist as he questions the government’s motives, attempting to wield him as a symbol. These familiar elements make it feel like a spiritual successor to one of the MCU’s most beloved films. Yet, in true Marvel fashion, it also serves as an overdue follow-up to The Incredible Hulk and Eternals.With some of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier writers contributing to the screenplay, the film fails to stick the landing. Director Julius Onah, previously known for the sharp psychological thriller Luce, struggles under Marvel’s constraints. While he wisely avoids the desaturated look that MCU films often use to appear “serious,” the film still suffers from a synthetic, artificial aesthetic. Early trailers teased a grainy, old-school thriller vibe, but that was little more than a marketing gimmick.
Credits: Marvel Studios
Anthony Mackie, on the other hand, commands the screen with his inherent charisma, even if he dials back the playful energy of his Falcon persona. The film deftly navigates the complex implications of a Black Captain America in a world with a Red Hulk President, offering subtle commentary without resorting to heavy-handed political statements. Additionally, while clearly playing himself, Harrison Ford brings a surprising amount of humanity to the role of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. He doesn’t attempt to mimic the late William Hurt’s portrayal. Still, Ford infuses the character with a sense of vulnerability and complexity, making Ross far more sympathetic and layered than in previous MCU appearances.
Carl Lumbly’s portrayal of Isaiah Bradley is a standout, providing the film with its richest emotional core. As the movie’s primary source of thematic depth, Lumbly delivers another passionate and powerful performance, portraying a deeply tragic figure within the Marvel Universe. His character brings much-needed gravity to the story, addressing painful history and personal sacrifice in a way that resonates far beyond typical superhero fare.
Danny Ramirez also gets to shine as Joaquin Torres, Sam Wilson’s loyal ward. While Torres isn’t given the same dramatic weight as Isaiah Bradley, Ramirez brings a much-needed sense of levity to the film. His moments of humor and camaraderie with Sam provide some much-needed balance and lightheartedness, helping to offset the film’s darker tones.
Credits: Marvel Comics
The return of Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns, who is never called The Leader in the movie, is a major missed opportunity. First introduced in The Incredible Hulk (2008), Sterns is a character many fans hope will be explored further, but here, his potential is wasted. Despite being the main villain, Stern’s screen time is very limited, lacking substance and menace.
Despite a good start, Brave New World quickly devolves into a tangled web of unfinished Marvel plotlines that never quite coalesce into a compelling narrative. The conspiracy driving the story (which also involves a separate villain played by Giancarlo Esposito) is another amalgamation of unresolved MCU threads.
Captain America: Brave New World delivers familiar Marvel thrills but ultimately feels like another franchise installment rather than a necessary cinematic event. While enjoyable, it leaves one questioning the justification for its big-screen treatment.
“Captain America: Brave New World: A New Cap, An Old Story
Captain America: Brave New World delivers familiar Marvel thrills but ultimately feels like another franchise installment rather than a necessary cinematic event. While enjoyable, it leaves one questioning the justification for its big-screen treatment.
