Living in a post-“Endgame” world has been brutal for the millions of Marvel fans who have been loyal since 2008’s Iron Man. With box office flops and low ratings becoming the norm for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU, there’s a glimmer of hope in the newest iteration of Captain America.
“Captain America: Brave New World” echoes the espionage-esque style of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” which follows Captain America and Falcon as they try to discover, then dismantle, the hidden government plots that pose a grave threat to national security.
Anthony Mackie, now donning the stars and stripes, truly embodies the role and acts as a favorable replacement to Chris Evans' beloved interpretation of Captain America. His humility and subtle humor humanize the hero, which makes him feel like a truly fleshed-out character – something MCU movies have been lacking in recent years.
Former archaeologist and space cowboy Harrison Ford confidently steps into his role of president Thaddeus Ross. The character had previously been played by William Hurt, but had to be recast after he died in 2022. Ford brings the complex and gruff character to life, ensuring every minute he’s on screen is used to its fullest potential.
Leading actors aside, the supporting cast does well with the time they are given. Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley is one of the more compelling performances in recent MCU movies. The tough persona of his character, paired with the subtle humility, showcases Lumbly’s dedication to the role.
Additionally, Danny Ramirez’s role as the new Falcon stands to prove his acting chops, hopefully leading to more screen time down the road, especially with the news of him officially joining the cast of the new “Avengers: Doomsday” film.
While the mediocrity of both the line delivery and VFX (visual effects) are very noticeable in the film, the nuanced plot aids in rebranding and reconstructing Marvel's future.
With some big ticket movies, like “Avengers: Doomsday,” “Fantastic Four” and “Blade” coming down the line, “Brave New World” is a strong stepping-off point for the future.
The filmmaking and cinematography are nothing special, but at the very least, this movie is incredibly entertaining — another aspect Marvel has been struggling with since Avengers: Endgame. One can confidently say Marvel fans will take a mediocre action-packed film over a boring, exposition-heavy Disney+ show.
So while this film may not be getting into the Criterion Collection anytime soon, “Captain America: Brave New World” is a successful, fun superhero-action movie that will keep Captain America fans glued to the screen and Marvel fans excited for what’s to come.
This article was edited by Alia Messina, Marina Zaczkiewicz and Walker Whalen. Copy editing by Luna Jinks, Emma Brown, Ella Rousseau and Ariana Kavoossi.
