Before the screening of Captain America: Brave New World even kicks off, audiences are first shown the trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps. In one scene, the Thing insists on adding garlic to a dish to give it that extra ‘zip.’ If you’re wondering why I’m referencing an unrelated movie in a Captain America review, that’s a strong indication of how forgettable this installment is. But the garlic analogy perfectly encapsulates Brave New World—it has all the right ingredients: high-stakes action, stunning visual effects, menacing villains, and Marvel’s signature dialogue. However, it lacks that essential spark, the emotional depth, or the ‘zip’ that could have transformed it into something more than just another uninspiring superhero flick.
The Plot of Captain America: Brave New World
The movie follows Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as he officially steps into the role of Captain America after taking over from Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). Much like his character, Mackie appears to be struggling with a sense of impostor syndrome, trying to prove he is worthy of wielding the shield. This underlying theme of self-doubt could have added a compelling layer to the story. Unfortunately, under the direction of Julius Onah, Sam comes across as a student desperately seeking approval rather than a hero owning his newfound role.
Meanwhile, newly-elected President Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross (Harrison Ford) takes center stage in addressing the emergence of a Celestial from beneath Earth’s surface. Scientists have uncovered Adamantium (yes, a nod to the X-Men), and Ross is eager to unite world governments to mine more of the rare metal. His vision for a global treaty is soon threatened by an enigmatic antagonist who is determined to derail the plan, even if it means inciting a worldwide conflict. In response, Captain America, along with the new Falcon (Danny Ramirez), must put aside their differences with Ross to prevent catastrophe.
Where Brave New World Falls Short
On the surface, Brave New World has all the makings of a gripping Captain America thriller, akin to The Winter Soldier or Civil War. It follows the familiar formula of an investigator-soldier piecing together clues to hunt down the villain. However, the film stumbles due to predictable and uninspired writing. The screenplay, credited to Rob Edwards, along with contributions from Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, Onah, and Peter Glanz, fails to recapture the engaging storytelling that once defined the MCU. The plot twists are glaringly obvious, the so-called red herrings are ineffective, and the overall narrative feels excessively simplified, draining it of intrigue and suspense.
Throughout the movie, only a handful of scenes truly stand out—such as a brief but exciting cameo from a beloved antihero, the emotionally charged moments featuring Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumby), and any scene with Harrison Ford, who commands attention effortlessly. Beyond these glimpses of brilliance, the film lacks emotional impact. In the past, even Marvel’s weakest entries, like Thor: The Dark World, managed to evoke some level of investment from audiences. Here, however, that connection is sorely missing.
The dialogue, another hallmark of Marvel films, is particularly disappointing. Known for their witty banter and memorable one-liners, Marvel movies have historically excelled in this area. Yet, in Brave New World, the conversations feel awkward and uninspired, almost as if they were generated by artificial intelligence with a poor grasp of human interaction. The filmmakers seem to have hoped that dazzling VFX and explosive action sequences would be enough to distract from the lackluster script.
One of the few moments that truly caught my attention was the introduction of Red Hulk. The 15-minute rampage through Washington, D.C., is undoubtedly the film’s highlight, reminiscent of the chaos in The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton. Watching CGI Harrison Ford transform into Red Ross (yes, Friends fans, you may chuckle at the wordplay) finally provides Captain America with a formidable adversary. In contrast, the film’s primary villain, The Leader, falls flat—coming across as a watered-down version of Zemo, orchestrating events from behind the scenes but with little presence or menace.
At its core, Captain America: Brave New World is a forgettable and uninspiring addition to the MCU. That being said, it still manages to be better than many of Marvel’s recent offerings. The fact that this film lays the groundwork for future Avengers and X-Men projects should serve as a wake-up call for Marvel Studios. If this is the direction the franchise is headed, then the world’s most dominant cinematic universe may find itself on borrowed time.
