Captain America Brave New World - Review: An Interesting, Exciting Ride in a World of Heavy Expectations

Captain America: Brave New World

An Interesting, Exciting Ride in a World of Heavy Expectations

★★★☆☆

A serviceable entry that shines when it stops trying to be a franchise-altering event.

Directed by Julius Onah, Captain America: Brave New World carries the heavy burden of succeeding the massive Deadpool & Wolverine and the critically acclaimed Rogers trilogy. While the production's reported "creative chaos" is visible in some rushed character injections, the film remains an exciting ride. It successfully introduces high-stakes political threads, specifically the global scramble for Adamantium mined from the Tiamut Celestial.

"I believe we, as viewers, should just go back to our initial expectations for Marvel films. Which is just to have a little fun for awhile while watching a story with friends and family."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 MCU Intel

• Captain America: Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson)
• President Thaddeus Ross: Harrison Ford
• Key Support: Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly
• Legacy Tie-in: The Eternals (Tiamut Island)

The Weight of Legacy

Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford both shine, providing the necessary gravitas for a story grappling with the rebuilding of the Avengers. While the military's logic in facing the Red Hulk is questionable, and some supporting characters like those played by Giancarlo Esposito feel underwritten, the film finds its heart in the relationship between Sam and Joaquin Torres. It’s an interesting ride that succeeds if taken at face value rather than as a cinematic masterwork.

💡 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Adamantium Debut: This film marks the official MCU introduction of Adamantium, the metal traditionally associated with Wolverine.
• The Leader Returns: Tim Blake Nelson reprises his role as Samuel Sterns for the first time since 2008's The Incredible Hulk.
• Ford's First Flight: This is Harrison Ford's first appearance in the MCU, taking over the role of "Thunderbolt" Ross following the passing of William Hurt.

✅ Pros

• Strong lead performances from Mackie and Harrison Ford.
• Compelling political world-building regarding Adamantium.
• Emotional core provided by Isiah Bradley and Joaquin Torres.

❌ Cons

• Evidence of "creative tinkering" and awkward plot points.
• Telegraphed "mind control" plot that tests character intelligence.
• Antagonists presented in shadows and quick cuts.

The Full Analysis

Captain America: Brave New World serves as another serviceable entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It faced the unenviable task of succeeding one of the most successful Marvel films ever, Deadpool & Wolverine, while also following in the footsteps of the most critically acclaimed trilogy in the MCU, the Captain America series. Needless to say, the deck was stacked against the filmmakers from the start. The immense pressure resulted in reported extensive reshoots and multiple delays due to creative differences, and some of that production chaos is evident in the final product.

Although the action sequences and special effects are top-notch, there are awkward plot points and character injections that feel rushed or altered. Specifically, the characters played by Giancarlo Esposito and Shira Haas are given glossed-over backstories and do not feel fully fleshed out. Furthermore, the presentation of the main antagonist feels handcuffed and awkwardly executed, as if the creative team could not agree on the character's physical appearance, presenting him mostly in shadows and mysterious, atmospheric quick cuts.

Regarding the plot, the inciting incident—an attempted assassination of the President eventually revealed as mind control—is so obviously telegraphed that it makes one doubt the believability and intelligence of every character for not seeing the manipulation. Additionally, the depiction of the military attempting to subdue the Red Hulk with bullets is questionable. It makes one wonder if these characters even live in the same universe audiences have been watching for years. However, despite these issues, Brave New World is not a disaster. It features fun action sequences and interesting world-building aspects, specifically the political discovery of Adamantium and the concept of rebuilding the Avengers.

Headlining stars Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford shine in their respective roles, while Carl Lumbly and Danny Ramirez provide the film with an emotional heart. While the film is not the best in the MCU, it is certainly not the worst. Expectations for these films have become almost insurmountable, with viewers demanding every entry be a masterpiece or a franchise-altering event. We should perhaps return to our initial expectations for Marvel films: to have a little fun with friends and family. Captain America: Brave New World is an interesting and exciting ride, and it is as simple as that.

🏆 Final Verdict

Captain America: Brave New World isn't the best in the MCU, but it is certainly not the worst. It’s a fun, exciting blockbuster that rewards those who set aside insurmountable expectations for a simple, solid Marvel story.

View original review on Letterboxd