Captain America: Brave New World (2025) – A Mixed Marvel Milestone
Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World, now streaming on Disney+ and JioHotstar as of May 28, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as it passes the iconic shield to Sam Wilson, portrayed by Anthony Mackie. Directed by Julius Onah, this fourth installment in the Captain America franchise attempts to redefine the legacy of the star-spangled hero in a post-Steve Rogers world. With a star-studded cast including Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross/Red Hulk, Danny Ramirez, and Tim Blake Nelson, the film dives into a politically charged narrative while introducing new dynamics to the MCU’s Phase Five. However, despite its ambitious premise and thrilling moments, Brave New World struggles to find its footing, delivering a passable but ultimately uneven superhero outing.
The story follows Sam Wilson, who has fully embraced his role as Captain America after the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021). Wilson is thrust into an international conspiracy when he meets newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, played by Harrison Ford, who replaces the late William Hurt in the role. The plot thickens as Wilson uncovers a nefarious global scheme orchestrated by Dr. Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), aka The Leader, whose intellect was enhanced by exposure to Bruce Banner’s blood in The Incredible Hulk (2008). Sterns, using mind-control technology and the song “Mr. Blue,” manipulates events to destabilize global relations, including a theft of adamantium that leads to an attack on the White House. As tensions rise, Ross loses control, transforming into the Red Hulk and wreaking havoc, leaving Wilson to stop him and save the day.
Mackie delivers a commendable performance as Sam Wilson, bringing a grounded charisma to the role of Captain America. His portrayal captures the essence of a hero who relies on intellect and empathy rather than brute strength, a refreshing contrast to Steve Rogers’ more traditional heroism. The film’s standout moment comes when Wilson, facing a rampaging Red Hulk, uses memories of Ross’s daughter Betty and Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms to appeal to his humanity, showcasing Sam’s emotional intelligence. Mackie’s chemistry with Danny Ramirez, who plays Joaquin Torres as the new Falcon, adds a layer of camaraderie that hints at future Avengers potential, especially with Torres being invited to join the team in the film’s closing moments.
However, Brave New World falters in its execution, grappling with a convoluted narrative that tries to juggle too many elements. The film heavily relies on callbacks to previous MCU projects, such as The Incredible Hulk and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which can alienate viewers who haven’t revisited those entries. As one IMDb reviewer noted, the clunky exposition meant to bridge these gaps often feels forced, detracting from the story’s momentum. The political thriller elements, while ambitious, lack depth, with the film failing to fully explore the implications of Ross’s presidency or the global treaty at the heart of the conflict. The Japanese government’s blame on Ross for the adamantium theft, for instance, is introduced but quickly sidelined, leaving the political intrigue feeling half-baked.
The villains are another weak point. While Tim Blake Nelson’s return as The Leader is a nostalgic nod to 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, his character lacks the menacing presence needed to elevate the stakes. Sterns’ mind-control scheme, though conceptually interesting, is underdeveloped, and his escape during a chaotic fight with mind-controlled soldiers feels more like a plot device than a satisfying arc. Similarly, the Red Hulk storyline, which had immense potential, is underutilized. Harrison Ford’s transformation into the crimson behemoth is a visual spectacle, but the film reveals this twist in its marketing, as lamented by fans on IMDb, stripping away any element of surprise. Ford’s performance as Ross is competent but lacks the gravitas one might expect from such a legendary actor, with some critics suggesting he appeared disinterested, possibly due to the physical demands of the role on an 82-year-old.
Visually, Brave New World is a mixed bag. The action sequences are well-choreographed, with Sam Wilson’s aerial combat using his vibranium wings providing some of the film’s most exhilarating moments. However, the CGI, particularly for Wilson’s wings and Red Hulk, has drawn criticism. Critics like William Bibbiani have pointed out the “drab” and unfinished look of the wings, a symptom of broader VFX struggles in the MCU following rushed production timelines in 2023 and 2024. Some viewers, as seen in IMDb reviews, even reported IMAX screenings that looked like “an old VHS copy,” highlighting technical issues that detract from the film’s spectacle. The 3D option for Apple Vision Pro users, as noted in trending posts, might offer a more immersive experience, but these visual shortcomings remain a significant drawback.
The supporting cast offers some bright spots. Danny Ramirez’s Torres brings a lighthearted energy that balances the film’s heavier themes, and his role as the new Falcon sets up intriguing possibilities for the MCU’s future. Shira Haas’s Ruth Bat-Seraph, however, has been a point of contention, with some fans and critics on Rotten Tomatoes questioning her inclusion and portrayal, citing controversies around her character’s ties to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). These debates, as noted in Wikipedia, didn’t significantly impact the film’s box office performance upon its February 14, 2025, theatrical release, but they underscore the challenges Marvel faces in navigating sensitive geopolitical themes.
Ultimately, Captain America: Brave New World is a film of missed opportunities. It has the ingredients for a compelling story—Sam Wilson’s journey as Captain America, the introduction of Red Hulk, and a politically charged conspiracy—but fails to coalesce them into a cohesive whole. Rotten Tomatoes reviews echo this sentiment, describing the film as “passable” but “overstuffed with uninteresting Easter eggs,” unable to stand alone as a worthy adventure for the new Captain America. The post-credits scene, where Sterns warns of an impending attack from other worlds, sets up future MCU conflicts, possibly tying into the Multiverse Saga, but it’s hard to feel excited when the film itself feels so directionless.
For Marvel fans, Brave New World offers enough action and character moments to warrant a watch, especially now that it’s streaming on Disney+ and JioHotstar in multiple languages, including English, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. But for those hoping for a return to the heights of Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Civil War, this installment falls short. It’s a brave new world for the MCU, but one that needs more focus and heart to truly soar.
Rating: 5.7/10