Have you ever walked out of a film feeling more confused than when you went in? I mean you enjoyed what you watched but something didn’t feel right and the more you think about it the more you come to the realisation that the movie you just watched was, for the lack of a better word, trash.
That is what I felt after watching Captain America: Brave New World. On the surface, it is a competently made film; its structure and pacing especially in the third act feel exhilarating, but beneath that polished exterior lies a story marred by convoluted plotlines and conflicting ambitions.
The film’s attempt to serve as both a Captain America story and The Incredible Hulk sequel leaving you wondering whether blending these two concepts was the original idea.
The film’s premise is deceptively simple: Sam Wilson finds himself entangled in an international crisis after a meeting with President Thaddeus Ross. Tasked with unmasking a nefarious global plot, the new Captain is forced to navigate a labyrinth of political intrigue, explosive action, and murky loyalties.
Beneath this straightforward setup, the movie teeters between two faces; a grounded superhero story and an overblown, sometimes laughable, Hulk sequel. The result is a patchwork narrative that, while occasionally exhilarating, every now and then feels like an abomination. This is even evident in the number of writers involved in penning the film.
Positives
But, as I mentioned before there's a good movie somewhere in all this mess. One of the undeniable strengths of Brave New World is its cast. Anthony Mackie, stepping into the mantle of Captain America, is the kind of Captain America who prefers talking over fighting, he is confident and charismatic which gives this Captain America a different touch. The confidence also bleeds into the action set pieces, especially in the third act.
Alongside Mackie, Carl Lumbly delivers a brief yet memorable performance that makes the first and second act bearable and Giancarlo Esposito’s presence leaves us hoping for more exploration of his character in the future. Even Tim Blake Nelson’s as (spoiler alert) Samuel Sterns, despite some obvious script plot holes, adds an interesting layer to an otherwise muddled narrative. And then there’s Harrison Ford, who to no one's surprise is just Harrison Ford.
The movie’s action, particularly in its third act, is its most redeeming quality. A climactic fight scene involving the Red Hulk manages to capture a visceral intensity that contrasts sharply with the more lacklustre, almost streaming-friendly sequences of the opening and middle acts. That final act is where the film finally feels “cinematic” in the classic sense, the kind that makes your heart pound and reminds you of Marvel’s better days.
There are moments, brief flashes of what might have been, where the movie reminds us of the old Marvel, where heroes had clear motivations and villains carried a weight of consequence. Unfortunately, those moments are too few and far between, overwhelmed by a script that seems more concerned with ticking boxes than telling a compelling story.
Generally, this production is well put together, the costumes look cool, some visual effects are decent and the editing/pacing helps mask a lot of the plot holes and script flaws.
The negatives
The story is riddled with plot holes and feels burdened by the weight of its own ambitions. Much of the film’s disjointedness stems from its overabundance of ideas. Brave New World ambitiously reaches into the vast tapestry of the Marvel universe, drawing connections to Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the Incredible Hulk, and even the Eternals.
It’s no secret that Captain America: Brave New World underwent multiple rewrites and reshoots, a process that left the film feeling like a Frankenstein’s monster, cobbled together from versions of what could have been a coherent story. The disjointed narrative and shifting tone hint at a production that struggled to decide its own identity. One moment, you’re watching a grounded political thriller with real stakes; the next, you’re plunged into an over-the-top superhero fight that defies the laws of physics and logic.
The film also suffers from an overzealous attempt at social commentary that feels disingenuous, there are moments where the dialogue and scenes appear to be crafted less for organic storytelling and more as a checklist for diversity and inclusion. For example, the character of Leila Taylor constant presence in frame at the White House in some scenes feels less like a natural character choice and more like a deliberate nod to modern ideals that don't deliver any substantial impact on the plot.
This was directed by Julius Onah, an African American director and stars a lot of what Americans would call minorities. Watching this, you might think it’s representation but I thought some of the decisions in the film point to a marketing need rather than genuine step toward representation. What doesn't help is the choice of music which made me think this was a Captain America film for “black” people.
The introduction of Ruth Bat-Seraph requires a suspension of disbelief, let's just say that her physical size vs the people that she fights is difficult to buy. She clearly is supposed to be a "Natasha Romanoff" like character in this movie. Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow for those who know nothing about the Marvel cinematic universe, was pivotal in the previous Captain America movies.
Then there’s the question of Sam Wilson himself. Look, while Mackie’s performance is undeniably strong, and the significance and impact of a superhero like Sam can't be understated. As much as I tried I just couldn't see Captain America in Sam Wilson, all I could see was an echo of the Falcon. What was weird was that Isaiah Bradley, a much older character who had limited screentime, I thought was a better embodiment of Captain America.
I thought it was the fact that during action scenes Sam is always flying and still has all the gadgets that come with the Falcon which make him feel and look less grounded. The vibranium suit, meant to compensate for any perceived lack of superhuman strength, ends up making this version of Captain America feel almost cartoonish when the shield’s improbable ricochets defy every law of physics, it's a comic book movie, I know, but Sam, who is powerless, handles that shield like he is a super soldier.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this movie is a mixed bag, it's competently put together and by the third act you get that big Marvel cinematic experience. It’s an entertaining watch if you’re in the mood for a lukewarm Frankenstein of a movie that feels like and was obviously put together by a committee. It's the kind of Marvel film that left me longing for the coherence and heart of the Captain America films that came before it.
