A Grounded Hero in a Cluttered Universe
On February 14, 2025, Marvel Studios dropped "Captain America: Brave New World," the fourth installment in the Captain America saga and Anthony Mackie’s first solo outing as Sam Wilson, the new shield-bearer. Directed by Julius Onah, this film swaps Chris Evans’ super-soldier Steve Rogers for Mackie’s everyman hero, weaving a political thriller with Marvel’s signature action flair. With Harrison Ford stepping into the late William Hurt’s shoes as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, now President and Red Hulk, the movie promises a fresh chapter. But does it soar like Sam’s wingsuit, or does it stumble under the weight of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) sprawling baggage? After catching it in theaters, here’s my take.
The Setup: A Conspiracy with Wings
The plot kicks off with Sam Wilson, fully embracing his Captain America mantle post-"The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," tackling a black-market adamantium deal in Mexico alongside Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), the new Falcon. Back in the U.S., President Ross invites Sam to a White House event to push a global treaty over this rare metal—mined from the Celestial corpse left in "Eternals." Things go south fast when Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), a forgotten super-soldier, is mind-controlled into an assassination attempt on Ross. Sam dives into a conspiracy involving gamma-powered Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) and a hulking twist with Ross himself, all while juggling his role as a non-super-powered Cap.
It’s a premise brimming with potential: a grounded espionage tale echoing "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," spiced with Hulk lore from 2008’s "The Incredible Hulk." Yet, the execution feels like a bird with clipped wings—ambitious but overstuffed.
The Good: Performances That Punch
Anthony Mackie is the beating heart of "Brave New World." His Sam Wilson is no Steve Rogers, and that’s the point. Lacking the serum, he relies on grit, empathy, and a vibranium suit, making his Captain America a relatable underdog. Mackie’s charm shines in quieter moments—like mentoring Torres or reasoning with foes—showing why Steve chose him. Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley steals every scene he’s in, delivering a gut-punch of gravitas as a man scarred by America’s past yet pulled back into its mess. Harrison Ford, at 82, brings a grizzled charisma to Ross, though his Red Hulk transformation feels more like fan service than a story driver.
The action, when it hits, is a highlight. Sam’s wingsuit choreography dazzles, blending Falcon agility with Cap’s shield-throwing precision. A mid-film brawl with mind-controlled soldiers channels "Winter Soldier’s" intensity, proving the MCU can still deliver visceral thrills.
The Messy: Too Many Cooks, Not Enough Spice
Five screenwriters—Onah, Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, and Peter Glanz—cooked up this script, and it shows. The narrative is a jumble of half-baked ideas: adamantium treaties, mind control, Red Hulk, and a Leader tease that barely registers. It’s as if the film is auditioning to be three movies—a Cap thriller, a Hulk sequel, and an Avengers setup—without committing to any. The pacing lurches from slow exposition to rushed climaxes, with reshoots evident in choppy editing and green-screen eyesores.
The villains are a letdown. Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder is a cartoonish blip, Shira Haas’ Ruth Bat-Seraph feels tacked on (her Israeli backstory neutered after backlash), and Tim Blake Nelson’s Sterns/The Leader hints at menace but fizzles out. Red Hulk, hyped in trailers, gets a measly five-minute rampage—cool to see, but narratively hollow. Compare this to "Winter Soldier’s" tight conspiracy or "Civil War’s" emotional stakes, and "Brave New World" feels like a rough draft.
The Bigger Picture: MCU Fatigue or a New Dawn?
This is the MCU’s 35th film, and the weight of its interconnected lore is palpable. You’re expected to recall "The Incredible Hulk," "Eternals," and "Falcon and the Winter Soldier" to care about the stakes—a tall order for casual viewers. Sam’s arc, wrestling with the shield’s legacy, retreads his Disney+ show without pushing forward. The post-credits tease of him rebooting the Avengers feels like a corporate memo, not a character choice.
Yet, there’s a flicker of hope. Sam’s humanity—his refusal to take the serum, his focus on inspiring rather than overpowering—offers a new flavor of Captain America. In a post-Endgame MCU grappling with relevance, this could’ve been a bold reset. Instead, it plays it safe, leaning on nostalgia (Ford’s casting screams "remember Indy?") over innovation.
The Verdict: Mediocre, Not Marvelous
"Captain America: Brave New World" clocks in at a 3 out of 5 for me. It’s not the trainwreck some feared—Mackie and Co. keep it watchable—but it’s far from the franchise’s highs. The action pops, the cast shines, yet the story drowns in its own ambitions. At 118 minutes, it’s leaner than some MCU bloatfests, but it still feels like it’s sprinting to set up "Thunderbolts*" or "Avengers: Secret Wars" rather than standing tall.
Should you see it? If you’re an MCU diehard or love Mackie’s take, sure—grab some popcorn and enjoy the ride. But don’t expect the bravery or newness the title promises. It’s a pit stop, not a destination. As Sam flies into the sunset, I’m left hoping his next adventure gives him the spotlight he deserves, not just a shield to hold up Marvel’s creaky empire.
