Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5 Stars)
Released 02-14-2025
Watched 02-16-2025
Reviewed 02-22-2025
Watched in the theater Using Cinemark Movie Club
"Its potential applications in tech, in medicine, in defense are immeasurable. It's even more indestructible than vibranium. And it's not controlled by an isolationist nation. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you adamantium."
Marvel Studios delivers another action-packed spectacle with Captain America: Brave New World, but this time, the shield is in new hands. Anthony Mackie steps fully into the role of Captain America as Sam Wilson, bringing his own brand of leadership and combat skills to the franchise. While the film moves at a brisk pace and keeps audiences engaged, it leans more heavily into its Falcon and the Winter Soldier roots than the Captain America legacy, leaving some fans wondering if the new Cap truly needs wings.
From the outset, Brave New World establishes itself as a politically charged thriller, much like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but with a broader focus. The film tackles power struggles, covert operations, and the responsibilities of being the new Captain America. Sam Wilson’s internal conflict about living up to Steve Rogers’ legacy is well explored, giving the film its emotional weight. However, as the action unfolds, it starts to feel less like a traditional Captain America movie and more like an extension of Falcon’s journey. The introduction of new and returning characters only reinforces this shift.
One of the film’s biggest selling points was the debut of Harrison Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, now the President of the United States. Ford is predictably great in the role, bringing gravitas and authority, but his screen time is disappointingly brief. Fans hoping for more of the Red Hulk Ross’s infamous monstrous alter ego will be left wanting as the film offers only a limited glimpse of his transformation. When he does appear, however, it is an undeniable highlight.
One thing Brave New World gets right is the action. From aerial dogfights to brutal hand-to-hand combat, the choreography is top-notch. Sam’s fighting style blends his Falcon agility with the weight of wielding the iconic shield, creating some visually thrilling sequences. However, the integration of his wings into the Captain America persona raises some questions. While it makes sense, given his past, does Captain America really need to fly? The combination of wings and the shield occasionally makes Sam feel more like an upgraded Falcon than the grounded tactical hero Captain America has historically been.
As with all Marvel movies it is essential to stay until the very end. The post-credit scenes tease major implications for the MCU’s future, with one in particular sure to get fans talking.
Captain America: Brave New World is an entertaining well paced film that successfully carries the franchise forward. Anthony Mackie delivers a solid performance, and the action is exciting, but the movie often feels more like a Falcon sequel than a Captain America film. The lack of substantial Red Hulk screen time and limited use of Harrison Ford’s Ross is a missed opportunity.
For Marvel fans, it is a must-watch, but for those expecting a return to the espionage-heavy grounded storytelling of past Captain America films, this may feel like a different kind of adventure.
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