Captain America: Brave New World review – Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford try their best, but predictable writing and lackluster action make this MCU film a disappointment.
Captain America: Brave New World – Marvel’s New Hero Falls Flat
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has seen its fair share of highs and lows, but Captain America: Brave New World struggles to find its place. While Anthony Mackie steps into the iconic shield, the film lacks the depth, emotion, and thrilling action sequences that made The Winter Soldier and Civil War stand out. Even the much-anticipated introduction of Red Hulk (Harrison Ford) can’t lift this sluggish installment.
🎬 What is Captain America: Brave New World About?
In Brave New World, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) officially embraces the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers’ departure. However, his journey is overshadowed by self-doubt—both in character and performance. While this internal struggle had the potential to be compelling, the film’s execution turns Sam into an overeager soldier desperate for approval.
Meanwhile, the newly elected President Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross (Harrison Ford) is focused on mining Adamantium—a clear nod to the X-Men. His treaty to extract the powerful metal is threatened by a shadowy villain who wants to disrupt global peace. To prevent catastrophe, Captain America and his new Falcon, Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), must set aside their differences and take action.
📉 Where the Film Fails
🔄 A Recycled Formula Without the Thrill
Marvel has mastered the “spy-thriller” formula with past hits like The Winter Soldier and Civil War. However, Brave New World feels like a watered-down imitation, with predictable twists and uninspired storytelling. The screenplay—crafted by multiple writers, including Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, and Julius Onah—fails to bring the emotional depth that made previous MCU installments engaging.
From the opening scenes, it’s clear where the plot is headed. The so-called twists can be spotted a mile away, making the film feel like a paint-by-numbers MCU entry rather than a fresh take on Captain America’s legacy.
😴 Dialogue That Lacks the Marvel Charm
One of the MCU’s trademarks has been its sharp and witty dialogue. Sadly, Brave New World lacks that signature charm. Instead of memorable lines and engaging banter, we get dialogue that feels robotic and uninspired. It’s almost as if AI wrote the script, and the director simply hoped that flashy VFX would distract audiences from the lackluster writing.
🔥 Red Hulk – The Only Saving Grace?
For a brief 15 minutes, Brave New World comes alive with the introduction of Red Hulk. Watching a CGI-enhanced Harrison Ford unleash destruction on Washington D.C. is the film’s highlight—almost reminiscent of the intensity of The Incredible Hulk (2008). Unfortunately, this excitement is short-lived, and the film quickly returns to its meandering pace.
The film’s actual villain, The Leader, fails to leave an impact. Unlike Zemo in Civil War, who manipulated events brilliantly, The Leader operates in the shadows with little to no real menace. As a result, the stakes feel low, and the final battle lacks tension.
🛑 Is This the Future of the MCU?
The biggest concern with Captain America: Brave New World is what it signals for the MCU’s future. If this is the tone and quality Marvel plans to maintain, fans have reason to worry. The film sets up upcoming Avengers and X-Men stories, but if the foundation is this weak, will audiences even care?
After the highs of the Infinity Saga, the MCU is struggling to reclaim its magic. While Brave New World isn’t the worst Marvel film, it’s forgettable—something a Captain America movie should never be.
🎭 Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
🚫 Skip It – Unless you’re a hardcore Marvel fan, this film offers little excitement.
🤷 Stream It Later – If you’re curious, wait for it to hit Disney+.
🎟️ Watch It for Red Hulk – The only real standout moment is Red Hulk’s destruction spree.
⭐ Rating: 2.5/5
Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World had all the right ingredients—strong characters, high stakes, and an intriguing premise. But without the zip, it’s just another bland entry in an MCU phase that desperately needs a spark. Wake us up when the X-Men finally arrive.
