There used to be so much excitement whenever Marvel Studios released a movie. At one point, their films were incredible—gripping stories, great action choreography, groundbreaking CGI, and spectacular performances from the actors. However, after the Avengers series, something changed. Their movies no longer had that same impact. Maybe it started feeling repetitive—the same old stories, conveniently using the multiverse and time travel to spin off endless films. It felt like they were just milking their previous successes. But with the recent success of Wolverine and Deadpool, there is hope that Marvel can recapture its former magic.
When Sam Wilson became the new Captain America, Marvel followed up with a Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. I really liked that series. It felt different—it explored Sam Wilson's internal struggle, his doubts about being a worthy successor to Steve Rogers. Along with the personal conflict, the storyline was solid, and the action sequences were on par with the actual movies. After its success, Marvel decided to give Sam his own film, which is the latest installment in their Phase 5 series, Captain America: Brave New World.
The movie is good. It brings back several characters from previous films, like Thaddeus Ross (who first appeared in The Incredible Hulk), Dr. Samuel Stern, a new character from Black Widow, the Serpent Society, and many more. The story kicks off with Ross becoming the new President of the United States. During a presentation unveiling a new element, Adamantium, there's an assassination attempt on him. Sam Wilson takes on the investigation to uncover the mastermind behind it all. This mystery element is engaging and keeps you hooked, which is refreshing for a Marvel film, as they often rely solely on superhero action. The investigative angle is reminiscent of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
The action sequences are well done. I particularly liked Sam Wilson's introduction scene—he arrives at supersonic speed, lands among the bad guys, warns them to "wait for it," and then boom—the sound wave knocks them out, proving he moves faster than sound. The film also delves deeper into Sam's self-doubt, questioning whether he can live up to Steve Rogers despite lacking superhuman abilities. There's also a surprise connection to Dr. Samuel Stern that longtime fans of The Incredible Hulk might appreciate.
Harrison Ford plays Thaddeus Ross, and I think he does a good job. In the comics and previous films, Ross always had a thick mustache, whereas Ford does not. The movie even jokes about this with a line: "Lose the mustache or lose the election." I found that funny. Another interesting detail is how they depict world leaders. The Indian Prime Minister, for example, resembles Narendra Modi, though the film shows him with a wife—whereas Modi is actually a bachelor.
The movie also lays the groundwork for the next Avengers films. Ross asks Sam to form a new Avengers team, which aligns with Marvel's plan for two more Avengers movies. A key moment is when Harrison Ford’s character turns into Red Hulk. Ford does his best to appear as angry as possible, but given his charming persona, it's hard to take him seriously as a raging monster. The climax features a duel between Red Hulk and Sam Wilson, but it ends abruptly. They could have extended the fight a bit more. The transformation of Red Hulk back to normal also felt like déjà vu, as we've seen this same sequence with Bruce Banner countless times before. Additionally, the movie is shorter than typical MCU films, running under two hours.
Anthony Mackie delivers a fantastic performance. It’s great to see him go from playing a supporting role in the MCU to leading a major film and carrying it on his shoulders. He portrays Sam Wilson’s inner struggles exceptionally well, paralleling his own journey as an actor stepping into a leading role. The rest of the cast, including Harrison Ford and Israeli actress Shira Haas, also do a commendable job.
Julius Onah’s direction is solid. The music and sound editing are great. However, I felt the CGI was underwhelming. Even after two decades, the effects looked similar to the original Hulk movie. It’s unclear where all the budget went, but the visuals didn’t feel as polished as they should have.
Overall, the movie does a great job of establishing Sam Wilson as the new Captain America. The investigation angle, action sequences, and character payoffs make it worth watching. I recommend watching a recap on YouTube beforehand, as otherwise, you might struggle to remember who all these returning characters are.
I’d give the movie a 7 out of 10.
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