Movie Review: Captain America: Brave New World

Captain America: Brave New World is not a great movie by any means, but it‘s also not a bad one. It’s a perfectly passable superhero film - entertaining in the moment, competently made, and featuring solid performances from its cast. In an era where superhero fatigue has set in hard, this film doesn’t break new ground or redefine the genre, but it does its job: it delivers action, spectacle, and a straightforward good-versus-evil narrative.

The Story: Good, but Clunky

The story itself is decent, though at times it feels muddled by excessive exposition. It’s the kind of movie where characters have to explain what’s happening rather than letting the audience experience it organically. This is one of the weaker aspects of Brave New World - the plot is functional, but it doesn’t always flow smoothly. Still, the core themes and narrative beats work well enough, and there’s enough action and intrigue to keep things moving.

Performances Carry the Film

If there is one element of the movie that undeniably works, it is the performances. Anthony Mackie proves he can carry a film as Captain America, delivering a strong, charismatic performance. The supporting cast also holds their own, bringing the necessary weight and presence to their roles. Even if the script occasionally stumbles, the actors do their best to elevate the material.

The Controversy: Manufactured and Predictable

One of the more frustrating aspects surrounding this film isn’t the movie itself but the online discourse about it. There’s been a lot of noise (especially from MAGA circles) complaining about a black man taking up the Captain America mantle. This isn’t surprising, given the same crowd reacted the same way when Sam Wilson took over the shield in the comics. It’s amazing how these people apply an impossible standard to minorities and women while giving white male characters endless chances. They refuse to acknowledge that Sam Wilson becoming Captain America isn’t some forced political statement, it’s a natural evolution of the character within the Marvel universe. The same universe, mind you, where superheroes regularly pass their mantles to others, sometimes white men, sometimes minorities, sometimes (gasp) women.

Superhero Fatigue and the Future of the Genre

While Brave New World will likely struggle at the box office, I don’t think racism will be the sole reason (though it will absolutely play a part). More than anything, this movie comes at a time when audiences are simply burned out on superhero films. The golden age of the genre - the era of Iron Man, The Dark Knight, and Avengers: Endgame is over. What once felt fresh and exciting now feels repetitive. Brave New World doesn’t do much to shake up the formula, and as a result, it risks being lost in the shuffle.

That said, I do think there’s room for a lower-scale superhero trend to emerge. This film doesn’t try to be a universe-altering epic. It’s just a superhero movie - nothing more, nothing less. And maybe that’s the best way forward for the genre. If audiences are done with massive crossover events and multiverse storytelling, perhaps smaller, character-driven superhero films could find a niche. Brave New World doesn’t fully seize that opportunity, but it hints at the possibility.

Final Thoughts

Captain America: Brave New World is an okay film. It’s an fun, it’s competently made, and it does what it sets out to do. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, nor does it try to. The performances are strong, the action is solid, and the story (while a bit over-explained) gets the job done. But in today’s landscape, being a decent superhero movie might not be enough to make it a success.

If this movie flops, it won’t be because Anthony Mackie is Captain America (though certain people will claim otherwise). It’ll be because audiences are simply tired of the superhero formula. The question now is whether Marvel can adapt or if this era of filmmaking is finally winding down. - Dave Carey