There was a time when every Marvel movie was a spectacle and tradition to look forward to, as Marvel Studios and Disney elevated expectations and centered on developing its characters and stories for its audience to be invested in. Ever since the end of The Infinity Saga and Avengers Endgame, the MCU has struggled to find that balance and excitement again – especially with so many shows and films being chugged out under The Multiverse Saga banner yet not building towards a proper threat that the heroes could rally together under and take on that would have the fans excited about.
Last year Marvel Studios set to course correct their quality issues by taking a break and making Deadpool and Wolverine the sole MCU movie released for 2024. Now they’ve returned to their regularly scheduled programming with three films due for 2025 – with the first one being released this month in “Captain America: Brave New World”. As the first film in the Captain America film franchise not to feature Chris Evans in the titular role, the mantle of the star spangled avenger has been passed to Anthony Mackie – the former Falcon who has now fully embraced his role as Captain America following the events of Avengers Endgame and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.
Thanks to Marvel Philippines, I was invited last February 11 to be among the first in the world along with other media friends to catch the PH Premiere and IMAX Screening of “Captain America: Brave New World” over at SM Megamall – which also launched an exhibit spotlighting Sam Wilson’s first solo adventure as the new Captain America as well as featuring his primary foe in the Red Hulk! With life-sized statues of both characters, photo display areas, galleries, games, and even merchandise related to the film and the Marvel Universe, this is an exhibit that fans should check out before it wraps up this February 18!
Now with that said, here’s my review for Captain America: Brave New World!
As a direct sequel to the Disney + MCU series, Brave New World sees Sam Wilson already a few years into his role as Cap with the people and nations accepting his role as a symbol and hero to the world. The United States has elected a new president in Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross – who is now played by veteran actor Harrison Ford. Proposing to work together to help restart the Avengers and forging a treaty that will safeguard a newly discovered element, President Ross invites Sam and his allies to the White House as guests of honor – only for an assassination attempt to play out which threatens the treaty and Ross’ credibility. With time running out and people’s lives being played and manipulated, Sam races to uncover this conspiracy and face new threats head on as the new Captain America.
As his first solo outing and headlining the film as the main character, Anthony Mackie plays to his strengths and delivers a very charismatic performance as Captain America Sam Wilson. Equipped with a new flight suit from Wakanda and carrying the iconic shield passed down to him by his friend Steve Rogers, Sam continues the fight for liberty and freedom while also standing his ground and never compromising his views and beliefs. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier did tackle political and racial issues that included a black man taking on the mantle of Captain America, and this is a continuation of that journey where Sam puts those prejudices and doubts to rest by standing tall and proving he is just as much of a hero and worthy candidate to wield the shield. The mantle of Captain America is more than just one person – it’s about being compassionate, being in the service of others despite all odds, and as Professor Abraham Erskine once said to Steve Rogers – being a good man.
Taking over for the late great William Hurt who tragically passed away before production began, Harrison Ford fills the gap and plays to his own strengths as US President Thaddeus Ross. As a man who once hunted the Hulk and opposed superheroes with the Sokovia Accords during Captain America: Civil War, Ross is now head of America and looking to mend fences with the superhero community beginning with Sam. Unfortunately some skeletons in the former wartime general’s closet come back to haunt him, and it leads to his inevitable transformation into the Red Hulk as seen in promotional material for the film. Ford plays to his strengths and is certainly a very much welcomed star presence to the MCU, but almost everyone going into this movie is here to see him see red and hulk out. If you’re there for the fights and action pieces, the latest Cap film will deliver and entertain in those aspects.
Despite being a good vehicle for Anthony Mackie to show off his leading man chops, Captain America: Brave New is a safe superhero action thriller that addresses MCU issues but doesn’t raise the stakes high enough. It acts more as a sequel to “The Incredible Hulk” and “Eternals” than it does laying the groundwork for Sam to develop his own adventures and rogues gallery. While there’s nothing wrong with Julius Onah’s direction and the elements carried over from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier are still very much present thanks to Danny Ramirez and Carl Lumbly reprising their roles as Joaquim Torres/ Falcon and Isaiah Bradley, their roles only serve to assist Sam rather than allowing them the chance to shine and be key players in the overall conspiracy (especially Lumbly’s Isaiah). Even new faces like Shira Haas’ Ruth Bat-Seraph and the very talented Giancarlo Esposito as Seth Voelker/ Sidewinder play very limited supporting roles – with the central focus being Sam Cap taking on an old Hulk enemy who orchestrates Ross’ fall and eventual transformation into the kind of monster that he hates.
If you’re invested in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and are there to see spectacle, Captain America: Brave New World won’t disappoint and will certainly entertain. It has action, espionage, and lots of superhero theatrics, but it certainly is no “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and does only a passable attempt at recreating that kind of atmosphere The Russo Brothers have created with their Captain America and Avengers films. It could have been worse and this gets a pass from this fan. I very much enjoyed Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford in this one, but Sam Wilson deserves better and should get the proper superhero adventure that doesn’t have to address other MCU connections and focuses solely on his own character development in his own grounded corner of the MCU.
Rating – 3/5
