Captain America: Brave New World Review: Sam Wilson Soars, But Does the Film Stick the Landing?

Published On: February 17, 2025

Sam Wilson Takes the Shield—But Does Brave New World Earn Its Wings?

Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World is here, and the verdicts are… complicated. Critics are lukewarm (53% on Rotten Tomatoes), but fans are cheering (80%+ audience score). So, is it a superhero triumph or a middling MCU entry? Let’s break it down—no spoilers included.

The Plot: Politics, Punch-Ups, and a Red Rage Monster

Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) is officially Captain America now, but proving he’s worthy of the shield isn’t easy. The film throws him into a whirlwind of global politics (think: adamantium-fueled power struggles) and bone-crunching action, including a fiery showdown with Red Hulk. Sounds epic, right? Well…

The Good:
✅ Pacing that pops: At 2 hours, it never drags. You’ll stay glued.
✅ Red Hulk’s CGI: A+ visuals—this raging beast looks terrifying.
✅ Sam’s charisma: Mackie owns the role, balancing grit and heart.

The Meh:
⚠️ Political whiplash: One minute, it’s House of Cards; the next, Hulk SMASH! The mix feels jarring.
⚠️ Villain issues: The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson) is forgettable, and Giancarlo Esposito’s mysterious baddie? Wasted potential.

Action vs. Politics: A Clash of Tones

Imagine Winter Soldier’s spy thrills meets Hulk’s chaos—but with less finesse. The political subplots (aimed at adults) and action (for teens) don’t always mesh. Case in point: A tense UN debate abruptly cuts to Cap dodging helicopter missiles. Fun? Yes. Cohesive? Not quite.

Bright spot: The final battle delivers Marvel’s signature spectacle, and Red Hulk’s rampage (though brief) is a blur of fiery chaos.

How Does It Stack Up Against Past Marvel Films?

Vs. Winter Soldier: Not even close. Missing that gritty, emotional depth.
Vs. Thor: Love and Thunder: A step up—less cringe, more stakes.
Vs. Multiverse of Madness: Falls short on wild creativity.

Verdict: It’s fine. Not Marvel’s worst, but far from its best.

Should You Watch It?

For MCU die-hards: yes! Sam Wilson shines, and the post-credits scene teases Secret Wars.
For casual fans: stream it later. The story’s predictable, but the ride’s entertaining enough.

Our Rating: 6.5/10 – A popcorn flick with heart, but missing that Cap-level greatness.

Sound off in the comments!
Did Brave New World work for you? Team Cap or Team “Meh”? Let’s debate! 🔥

Stay tuned for our breakdown of the post-credits scene and what it means for the MCU’s future!