Captain America: Brave New World Review
REVIEW
✦
REVIEW ✦
Captain America: Brave New World marks a pivotal chapter in the MCU, following Sam Wilson's ascension to the mantle of Captain America—while grappling with themes of legacy, political intrigue, and the evolving role of superheroes in a complex global landscape. However, even though the film boasts memorable moments, particularly the explosive introduction of Red Hulk, the final product struggles to fully realize its potential, resulting in a mixed bag of compelling character work and sometimes stagnant storytelling.
Captain America: Brave New World (2025) | Marvel Studios
A World in Transition: Navigating Legacy and Intrigue
Captain America: Brave New World finds Sam Wilson settling into his role as Captain America, a mantle he inherited from Steve Rogers. The film delves into Sam's struggles with the weight of this legacy, the expectations it carries, and the challenges of forging his own path as the new Captain America. Anthony Mackie does his best to deliver a nuanced performance, reexamining Sam's internal conflicts and his determination to live up to the ideals represented by the shield. This exploration of Sam's journey is interwoven with a complex narrative of political intrigue and rising global tensions—which begins to feel reminiscent of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
The film attempts to tackle themes of international relations, the role of superheroes in a changing world, and the ever-present threat of shadowy organizations working behind the scenes. However, while these themes are present, they often feel underdeveloped, lacking the depth and nuance needed to truly land. The plot, while intriguing in concept, sometimes struggles to balance the political thriller aspects with the superhero action, leading to a somewhat uneven narrative flow.
The MCU film also introduces new characters and reintroduces familiar faces, but many of them feel more like plot devices than fully realized individuals. Most of these additions (from key figures to supporting characters) find surface-level ways to serve their purpose in moving the story forward but lack the depth and intricacies that would make them truly memorable. And having so many characters means a lot of clunky exposition—which definitely causes the film to stumble.
Captain America: Brave New World (2025) | Marvel Studios
Red Hulk: An Exciting Addition to the MCU
One of the undeniable highlights of Captain America: Brave New World is the introduction of Red Hulk, portrayed with captivating intensity by Harrison Ford. And Thunderbolt Ross's transformation into this powerful and unpredictable force of nature injects a much-needed jolt of energy into the film. Red Hulk's presence is not just about brute strength and spectacular action sequences; it's about the evolving duality of the character over the trajectory of the MCU. Ford masterfully embodies both the raw, untamed power of the Hulk and the strategic, modernized, less-calculating mind of Thunderbolt Ross—impressively bringing his past and present together.
The action sequences featuring Red Hulk are a visual spectacle, and his interactions with other characters are filled with tension and intrigue. Despite his limited role, he stands out as one of the most compelling elements of the film, and his presence leaves a lasting impression. Especially given the lack of current Hulk content in the MCU. Red Hulk's introduction raises exciting possibilities for future storylines within the vast universe, and it's clear that he will be a force to be reckoned with.
Unpolished Action and Visuals
The action sequences in Captain America: Brave New World are generally well-executed, showcasing Sam Wilson's unique fighting style and his mastery of the shield. But also, his recent Wakanda upgrade has made him merge elements of three different heroes. Kind of interesting, but also kind of overindulgent. However, while the action is competent, it sometimes begins to feel wooden as it moves from one choreographed sequence to another—lacking the visual flair that would truly elevate it.
The battle between Captain America and Red Hulk is probably the highlight of the film’s action spectacle, but in a film that approaches two hours, it’s not quite enough to validate such a costly MCU production. And sure, one can also make some minor exceptions for these inconsistencies given the reshoots. However, by the time the dust settles, it’s pretty clear that there isn’t a full film here.
Score: 6/10
Because of its overcrowded script and excessive exposition, Captain America: Brave New World struggles to make its mark in the superhero genre—which seems to be a recurring problem in this era of the MCU. But at least we finally have a Red Hulk!
MORE IN MOVIES
