“Captain America: Brave New World” Review: Anything But Brave in this Misguided Mission

by Annika February 12, 2025

Superhero films thrive on reinvention, but Captain America: Brave New World is proof that not all change is for the better. What should have been a triumphant showcase for Sam Wilson’s Cap instead stumbles into a mess of half-baked ideas, underdeveloped character arcs, and action sequences that feel more obligatory than thrilling. It’s a film that wants to say something important but never quite figures out what that is—leaving audiences with little more than a shadow of what Captain America once stood for.

“Captain America: Brave New World” Review: Anything But Brave in this Misguided Mission

– “Captain America: Brave New World” explores the challenges faced by Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as a Black man representing America, however, the film’s desire for universal appeal undermines its attempt to address these complex issues.
– Despite director Julius Onah’s efforts to elicit political reflection through the storyline involving wrongful imprisonment and government authority, the film’s attempt to balance substantiated messages and entertainment falls short.
– Ultimately, the film ends up reducing its hero to a clichéd trope that serves to placate white America, causing it to miss the chance to meaningfully explore Black representation and the reality many people experience.

The latest MCU installment, “Captain America: Brave New World,” aims to elaborate on why a Black man, like its main character Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), would want to take on the mantle of a country that frequently neglects to protect people of color. However, this film leaves pressing questions unanswered in the pursuit of universal appeal, resulting in a disappointing tale that fails to resonate.

Prequels such as “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” which delicately touched on historical and social injustices, built high expectations. Disconcertingly, “Brave New World” exhibits an inclination to prioritize entertainment over narrative depth, using political themes as superficial backdrop to an incoherent action-packed plot, contributing to an hollow installment.

Onah’s film pushes political dialog upfront, starting with Sam Wilson’s White House invitation by President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford). Despite the attempted assassination of Ross, Wilson stoically supports the system. The film’s villains lack depth, leaving the narrative to trudge along, making it feel tiresome and overly drawn out.

The film’s saving grace lies in its rugged, well-choreographed action sequences which showcase the full potential of human physicality. However, the aesthetic appeal fails to offset the subpar narrative of the movie. The final act is notably disappointing, leaning heavily on clichés, despite Harrison Ford’s effective portrayal of Ross.

“Brave New World” ends with a misplaced attempt at presenting a utopian vision of the world that drastically deviates from reality, wrapping up a disappointing narrative with an equally unsatisfactory ending. Ultimately, the film fails to strike a balance between entertainment and substance, culminating in a hollow conclusion.

This film is not “brave,” but a forgettable blockbuster that timidly avoids real issues instead of confronting them head on.

Captain America: Brave New World feels less like a bold new chapter and more like a misguided attempt to recapture past glory without understanding what made it work. It fumbles its political intrigue, sidelines its most compelling characters, and ultimately delivers a film that’s as muddled as its themes. Sam Wilson deserves better, and so do audiences. If this is the “new world” Marvel is building, maybe it’s time to find another universe.

RATING: 1.5 out of 5 stars.

“Captain America: Brave New World” premieres in theaters February 13, 2025