-Written by Kyle Bain.
The first of many Marvel Cinematic Universe properties of 2025, Captain America: Brave New World officially introduces us to the new Captain America (Anthony Mackie), and follows him on a journey of self discovery. As he tries to rekindle a challenging relationship with newly-elected president, Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross (Harrison Ford), threats from the past resurface, making that difficult and threatening the world that he’s sworn to protect.
With pieces from The Incredible Hulk, Falcon & the Winter Soldier, and Eternals, Captain America: Brave New World is an attempt by Marvel and Disney to tie up some loose ends and prepare fans for a more cohesive and linear MCU going forward. We all know of the recent failures of the MCU, so there’s no need to address them here–but rather the fact that Kevin Feige and his team have appeared to address these issues and plan to move on from them in an exciting way.
The world anticipated that Captain America: Brave New World would flop, that it would continue this greater franchise on a trajectory toward failure, and there are certainly moments in this film in which I felt that Writer-Director Julius Onah and the plethora of other writers didn’t take advantage of what they had before them. Case and point: Giancarlo Esposito (Sidewinder). Esposito has made a name for himself over the course of the past decade, solidifying himself as one of the best modern-day actors, capable of tackling any role, no matter how challenging. There are moments in which he’s able to shine, but to cast him in a role that ultimately feels insignificant feels like a travesty. Casting Director Sarah Haley Finn rarely misses, and while he’s able to fill the shoes of this villain brilliantly, there’s just not enough here for him. He needed a bigger role, one with more depth–and I’m holding out hope that he’ll return one day down the line, and that this team will allow him the opportunity to steal the screen and dazzle us all.
Then there’s the issue of the dialogue. While much of the dialogue is simple, it plays out fine within the grand scheme of things, and I found most of it to be acceptable. However, there are a series of moments in Captain America: Brave New World that fall flat from a lack of depth. The sometimes shallow dialogue detracts from the darker tone of the film, one that works incredibly well overall. I hoped for something more sophisticated, something more in tune with the tone of the film and the direction in which the franchise is headed, but there were far too many times in which I was let down, and instances of massive importance failed to effectively reach viewers.
However, there are so many things that do work for Captain America: Brave New World, and while some of those things will only appeal to fans of the MCU, they work nonetheless. Cinephiles will be able to appreciate the brilliant choreography and action sequences, as they are well developed and impeccably executed. This stunt team has created something massive, on par with the films that have come before, but without things feeling gratuitous or overwhelming.
Additionally, the darker tone that Onah projects onto Captain America: Brave New World is one akin to that of The Russo Brothers’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which is widely considered as one of the best films of the MCU. The darker tone allows for a more visceral response from the audience, allowing them to better appreciate the perils faced by Captain America and our other heroes.
Then there’s the beautiful acting brought to life by each of the actors. Mackie, Ford, Esposito and the rest of the cast are elite in their performances in Captain America: Brave New World, with Carl Lumbly (Isaiah Bradley) potentially being the most impressive of the bunch.
Again, there are the aspects of the film that will likely appeal only to the fans of the MCU. Storytelling, Adamantium, and references to the nostalgic past of this cinematic universe continue to reel us in, continue to appeal to us throughout. It’s clear that those behind the MCU are actively making an effort to right the wrongs of recent history with Captain America: Brave New World–and it looks like they might be successful when all is said and done (and I’ll continue to hope and pray that I’m right in this regard). Captain America: Brave New World is far better than I anticipated and a fitting ending (or at least advancement) for a series of storylines in this impressive cinematic universe.
Directed by Julius Onah.
Written by Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, Julius Onah, Peter Glanz, Joe Simon, & Jack Kirby.
Starring Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Tim Blake Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito, Xosha Roquemore, etc.
7.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
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