Captain America: Brave New World (2025) [Movie Review] - A New Shield Rises, Delivers Legacy and Innovation

Captain America: Brave New World, directed by Julius Onah and written by Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, and Dalan Musson, stars Anthony Mackie alongside Harrison Ford, and Danny Ramirez, and an ensemble cast including Shira Haas and Carl Lumbly. After officially inheriting the shield, Sam Wilson (Mackie) is drawn into a sprawling conspiracy when President Thaddeus Ross (Ford) enlists him to investigate a mind-control plot that threatens global stability.

Synopsis

Set five months into Ross’s presidency, Wilson and Falcon partner Joaquin Torres (Ramirez) to recover stolen adamantium samples in Mexico, only to uncover a dark scheme orchestrated by Dr. Samuel Sterns. Their pursuit takes them from high-stakes White House sabotage to a climactic battle on “Celestial Island,” where loyalties are tested and the line between protector and adversary blurs.

Performances

Anthony Mackie delivers a grounded, heartfelt portrayal of a hero grappling with legacy and identity—his emotional intelligence anchoring the film’s more outlandish moments. Harrison Ford brings surprising depth and gravitas to Ross, particularly when his character erupts as the Red Hulk, injecting genuine pathos into the political intrigue. Danny Ramirez’s Falcon provides both levity and loyalty, while Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley serves as an emotional touchstone, enriching the film’s family-and-duty dynamics.

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Action & Visuals

Director Julius Onah stages several kinetic set pieces—from a zero-gravity skirmish aboard an orbital platform to a spectacular showdown against mind-controlled soldiers on Celestial Island—which underscores the film’s blockbuster ambition. However, the VFX work draws mixed reactions: some sequences feel inventive, while others—particularly parts of the White House assault—come across as overreliant on CGI and occasionally unconvincing.

Themes

At its core, Brave New World interrogates what it means to wield a symbol in an era of fractured truths. The film explores identity, duty, and trust—both interpersonal and geopolitical—evoking parallels to contemporary political divides without fully taking a stance.

Verdict

Clocking in at just under two hours, Captain America: Brave New World is an earnest, if uneven, addition to the MCU. It shines brightest in its performances—especially Mackie’s earnest Cap and Ford’s conflicted president—but stumbles under the weight of convoluted plotting and variable visual effects. With a Rotten Tomatoes score hovering around 48%, it stands as a middling yet serviceable chapter for Marvel’s new shield-bearer.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

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