Film Review — ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Is A Startling Return To The MCU

As impossible as it seems, it’s been a long time since the Marvel Cinematic Universe dealt with its key location, Earth- 616. Despite several movies and series set there in the last few years, the backdrop of world politics has been missing since 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — but that changes with this week’s release of Captain America: Brave New World.

Geopolitics is very much on the film’s mind even as Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) fully takes up the shield and name in his first solo feature. And, as with Captain America: The Winter Solider, the mixture of Captain America characters and a political thriller proves to be a satisfying combination with Brave New World featuring some startling images and ideas. Set “three years” after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam and Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) continue to operate as Team Cap, assisting the US military in various operations. But five months into the presidency of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford, taking over for the late William Hurt), their latest gig with the armed forces leads to an explosive situation and a mystery for Sam to solve.

And the answer to the mystery will be obvious to anyone who knows the cast list, but Brave New World makes up for that via some great scenes with the true mastermind behind the plot and some well-orchestrated fight scenes utilizing the Captain America shield and Sam’s other tools and tricks. He also fights without all his gear, which does a great job demonstrating the character’s determination won him the “Cap” designation. Additionally, while not as visceral in terms of editing, the fights also underscore that Sam — and Joaquin for that matter — are conventional humans fighting against stronger and sometimes enhanced opponents. They take cuts, falls, electrocutions, stabbings, and more. It’s almost enough to make you wonder if Sam will invoke his predecessor’s catchphrase, but ultimately Sam has no need for that as he has his own vocabulary to use. In fact, words are as important to Sam’s (and Mackie’s) success as Captain America as is his fighting prowess or wonderful toys.

If there is one assignment the film had for the larger MCU tapestry, it is to establish Sam as the leader of the superhero community and it is, on the whole, successful with that. Knowing when to charge in comes easy to him, but also knowing when to call in some help proves he isn’t just some strongman Steven Rogers (Chris Evans) mistakenly gave the shield to. Although, mercifully, Brave New World refuses to litigate Sam’s worthiness again as The Falcon and the Winter Soldier already covered that ground at length (credited screenwriter Malcolm Spellman was the creator and head writer of that series). Sam is Captain America now and the film, instead, focuses on what he can do to save the day.

Although, the exact nature of how the day needs saving is best experienced by viewing the film. Director Julius Onah does a fantastic job bringing the MCU’s geopolitical situation into 2025. But the details, hidden from the film’s marketing efforts for the most part, are part of the startling ideas presented within its story. We will say a certain new element comes into play as a McGuffin that leads to an international standoff. And that building of tension across the film’s runtime is one of Brave New World‘s strengths.

Ford as Thunderbolt Ross is another one. Full of bluster and humanity in equal measure, Ford’s Ross is louder than Hurt’s, but also more recognizable as a full person than the less dimensional antagonist Hurt proved to be in The Incredible Hulk and Captain America: Civil War. From the jump, President Ross is meant to be a man trying to better after a lifetime of shady choices, but the weight of those previous actions is coming to bear and there’s only so much the character can do to combat that. And I’m convinced Hurt would not have been able to play the layers as effectively as Ford. The latter’s screen persona already allows for a tremendous amount of sympathy, but his talents also lend themselves better to a (mostly) contrite Ross who, nevertheless, can still let his temper get the best of him. It’s also interesting to see Ford play the president again in a film that finds the job a little less heroic.

Beyond him, though, is a well-suited cast. Ramirez steals nearly every scene as the new Falcon. His camaraderie with Sam is also a key ingredient and the two prove to be a winning team. Carl Lumbly is the industry’s secret weapon and deploying him again as Super Soldier Isaiah Bradley brings a lot of heart and a surprising stake to the picture. Shira Haas proves quite capable in the mix as Ruth Bat-Seraph. Although the character is fairly removed from her comic book counterpart and has less to do than she should, she ends up a stronger character than necessary — a credit to Haas. Also, I have to admit, the idea of tiny Black Widow is a great expansion of that aspect of the MCU.

Indeed, all of the expansions are strengths this time around. While I don’t want to discuss the details, the film presents a world landscape that is compelling and tension-filled. And, as I keep teasing, it leads to some startling images, particularity in the latter third.

Of course, no film on this scale is perfect and I think Brave New World is, perhaps, ten minutes too long. But, at the same time, I’d be hard-pressed to find any obvious cuts to make. It may just be my changing tastes and a desire to see fewer fights in these films, even if they’re as well-crafted as these. Meanwhile, a few scenes — particularity toward the end — have the feeling of late retooling with solitary characters appearing on obvious green-screened sets. Also, as the film is part of the MCU tapestry, it offers almost no exposition regarding the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, so if you don’t know who Isaiah or Joaquin are, it might be time to sign back into Disney+ for a quick catch-up. While you’re at it, you might want to watch Eternals, too, as it has a connection to the movie.

Nevertheless, the film is a solid return to the mainstream of the MCU afters years of stories in the cosmos or away from the Avengers. It’s a good action picture with a satisfying geopolitical backdrop and surprising character moments. It’s also, for the most part, the sort of film worth seeing on the biggest screen possible.

Captain America: Brave New World opens this Friday.