Marvel Studios’ once unstoppable cinematic empire now appears to be struggling under the weight of superhero fatigue, and the release of Captain America: Brave New World does little to restore the franchise’s former glory. Following a series of lackluster Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) projects—such as the underwhelming Secret Invasion and Thor: Love and Thunder—the latest Captain America installment feels more like a desperate attempt to revive interest than a genuine creative breakthrough.
The film introduces Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as the new Captain America, succeeding Steve Rogers, who hung up his shield in Avengers: Endgame. Wilson, once known as The Falcon, is now thrust into a world of international conflict involving the precious metal adamantium, which is discovered in the corpse of a dead Celestial being from Eternals. Alongside him is Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), who takes on the mantle of The Falcon, and the duo must navigate a political minefield involving U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), who, in a surprising twist, has become the Hulk—specifically, the “Red Hulk.”
If the plot sounds convoluted, that’s because it is. The film is packed with callbacks to previous MCU films, references to obscure comic book details, and a slew of new characters, including Seth Volker (Giancarlo Esposito), a hitman working for the film’s behind-the-scenes antagonist, Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson). While these moments are meant to excite loyal Marvel fans, they end up feeling overwhelming and ultimately unnecessary.
Despite the star power in the cast, including the formidable presence of Ford and Esposito, the film squanders its potential. The performances, even from seasoned actors, feel muted, with Mackie’s Captain America—advertised as the film’s central character—spending much of the time cleaning up the messes created by the side villains. Ford’s portrayal of Ross, while occasionally compelling due to his gruff demeanor, doesn’t bring enough gravitas to elevate the film.
The film’s title, Brave New World, is a striking example of its tone-deafness. Originally slated to be called New World Order, the change was made after concerns about the title’s provocative connotations. However, the final product is ironically devoid of risk or innovation. Instead, Brave New World adheres to a tired formula, relying on action sequences and overused tropes that fail to offer anything fresh to fans.
Visually, the film falls short as well. The CGI is predictable and lacks polish, a common criticism for Marvel in recent years, where tight deadlines have resulted in rushed visual effects. The fight scenes fail to pack a punch, and the generic score does little to elevate the action. Dialogue feels stilted, with characters often spouting lines that seem more designed to move the plot forward than to develop their personalities.
The political subtext is also underwhelming. Vague allusions to real-world issues surface throughout the film, only to be abandoned before they can make any meaningful commentary. The result is a movie that feels safe, calculated, and unwilling to take any significant risks—much like the superhero genre it seeks to prop up.
Ultimately, Captain America: Brave New World is a movie designed for easy consumption, without much thought or heart behind it. It’s a popcorn flick through and through, but lacks the charm, depth, and character that made earlier MCU films stand out. For fans hoping that this film would mark a return to form for Marvel Studios, it’s clear that Brave New World is far from the answer.
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