The Wasteland Reviewer

Captain America: Brave New World (2025) Written Review

Are we ready for the MCU to make its first leap onto the silver screen here in 2025? Captain America: Brave New World has some important elements of the MCU resting on its shoulders. With Steve Rogers stepping away from the spotlight, the mantle of Captain America became something so important to carry forward. Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson got a whole Disney+ series with Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes to set up Wilson as the new Cap. Brave New World is finally here to deliver on this promise. You might also see that Brave New World takes on a few hanging threads of the MCU especially the Celestial left in the Indian Ocean in Eternals and Samuel Sterns’ The Leader finally coming back after 17 years post The Incredible Hulk. William Hurt might have passed away (Rest in Peace) but Harrison Ford makes sure that we still get Thunderbolt Ross who is now in the most powerful seat in the United States. 

Does Brave New World pull the audience back into this compelling narrative world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? This new entry certainly sets up some interesting things while honestly playing it a bit safe with-it espionage element as well. There is a lot of potential to tackle relevant geo-political issues, but the film instead tries so hard to play it all down the middle. The discovery of a new world-changing element in the body of the dead Celestial does set up an intriguing power struggle throughout the world. But there are many moving pieces in the shadows of this film. Some of those reveals are incredibly impactful and will shock you while others feel quite telegraphed. There are plenty of layers that make up the plot centered around the mission created by The Leader (Time Blake Nelson). There are big emotional beats that add layers of emotion to a film that could have taken it quite simply. The way the story incorporates Wilson’s connection to his mentor, the Lost Captain Isaiah Bradley, the guilt that Ross still carries from losing his daughter, and the long gestating revenge of Stern gives it layers and more emotional impact. 

Does director Julius Onah deliver behind the camera? This film is just shy of two hours and has a good pace with it. This never gives you a chance to loosen focus or interest, which makes for a great foundation for such a film as Brave New World. There are not a lot of distinct details to make a unique voice in a visual sense for the film, but the personality of Onah can be felt in some of the needle drops for sure. The score offers up some unique and interesting elements as this film balances its big scale superhero stakes with unique tones to give Brave New World its own film. The action is rock solid and delivers some thrilling set pieces (including a big aerial fight above The Celestial Island and the climactic Red Hulk battle). One of the biggest glaring issues though is the horrible green screen at times to cover up some obvious reshoots. Some scenes are almost ruined but the terrible effects. The film does deliver on the Red Hulk which has incredible detail in its rendering. 

What is the real heart of the film? The dynamic between Wilson and Ross. Mackie delivers such an earnest and committed performance as Wilson whose big heart and honor elevate him to the level of hero. Wilson has a strength in him thanks to Mackie’s commitment. But he also delivers some great one liner as well because Mackie is just so charming. But the franchise’s long conflict between Ross and Wilson shines through in each of their scenes. Ford delivers a range of performance that shifts between rage, arrogance, strength, vulnerability, regret, and love. Ford commits to this role so much that you can feel Ross’ journey deliver around every turn. Not all of the performances are one point or memorable but there are a few strong supporting turns there too. Tim Blake Nelson and Giancarlo Esposito each get limited time on screen, but they make the most of it and deliver some memorable villainous work. Danny Ramirez is hilarious and charming as the new Falcon, Joaquin Torres. There is something so fun and meaningful in the dynamic between Mackie and Ramirez. But it is Carl Lumbly who steals the show. Isaiah Bradley has decades of pain, regret, and anger underneath the surface and Lumbly sells every bit of it. He can also deliver the charm as well as some real affecting emotion too. 

Is Brave New World a return to form of the MCU? This is certainly not one of the better films of the franchise and is on the back side of the rankings, but it still delivers a thrilling and twisted tale to enjoy. Mackie and Ford make a fantastic duo to anchor this film down. The action is tons of fun and the story finally navigates some long-standing threads bothering fans of the franchise. There are plenty of possibilities after Brave New World, but this is one to enjoy on its own as well.