I just watched Captain America: Brave New World, and honestly? I’ve got a lot of thoughts. Here’s my breakdown:
The Good Stuff: Anthony Mackie Shines as Cap
Let’s start with the best part: Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson. He absolutely owns the role of Captain America. Mackie brings so much heart and determination to the character, and you can really feel the weight of the shield on his shoulders. There’s something incredibly powerful about watching Sam carry on Steve Rogers’ legacy, and I genuinely appreciate the depth Mackie gives the character. He’s definitely one of the highlights of the movie.
The Bad Stuff: The Story Feels Overstuffed
Now, let’s talk about the not-so-great parts. The story in Brave New World feels all over the place. The movie tries to juggle multiple plotlines at once—political intrigue, new villains, fan service—and as a result, it never quite feels focused. Instead of delivering a tight, impactful narrative like The Winter Soldier, the movie drifts in too many directions and doesn’t really land on anything solid.
One example of this is Harrison Ford’s character, Thunderbolt Ross. I love Harrison Ford, but his character arc here felt inconsistent. The movie tries hard to make Ross seem sympathetic, but it doesn’t really succeed. He’s still deeply involved in shady activities, and it’s hard to believe he’s truly a good guy in this film.
CGI: Impressive, but Overused at Times
The CGI in Brave New World is definitely impressive. The action scenes are visually stunning, and the effects are top-notch—everything looks sleek and polished. However, there are moments where the CGI feels a bit too much. While it’s great to see a visually rich superhero movie, there were a few points where the effects overshadowed the characters or the story. Don’t get me wrong, the CGI is cool, but at times it can feel like it’s trying a little too hard to impress.
The Good News: Moments of Potential
Even with all the chaos, the movie isn’t all bad. The action sequences are still entertaining, especially when they’re not bogged down by CGI. And, surprisingly, there are emotional beats that really hit. Sam Wilson’s journey as the new Captain America has some great moments of growth, and you can feel the stakes. It’s just frustrating because these glimpses of greatness are buried under all the noise of subplots and over-the-top effects.
Would I Recommend It?
If you’re a hardcore Marvel fan, I’d say Brave New World is still worth watching, but don’t rush to the theater for it. If you want to keep up with the MCU storyline, it’s important to see this one, but it doesn’t quite live up to the emotional depth or tight storytelling of earlier Captain America films.
Maybe catch it on Disney+ instead of making a big trip to the theater. It’s an enjoyable watch, but it’s not a must-see in the way some other Marvel films have been.
What Did You Think?
Am I being too harsh, or do you agree that Brave New World didn’t quite hit the mark? Let me know your thoughts in the comments—I’m really curious to see how others feel about it!