The Marvel Cinematic Universe has found a fresh direction since the end of The Infinity Saga. Projects like Agatha All Along showed that creativity and individuality have taken center stage in this new era of Marvel properties, and Captain America: Brave New World confidently continues this trend. While it's far from a perfect film, it's a bold next chapter for Captain America and fans of Cap's legacy.
Anthony Mackie returns as Sam Wilson in a race against time to stop a looming threat to the country with his partner, Joaquin Torres AKA Falcon. However, Sam quickly finds there's more to the story than meets the eye, while he's at odds with new President Thunderbolt Ross. None of that will stop him from striving to avoid all-out war. Brave New World features plenty of conflict and action, while giving both Sam and the actor who plays him the attention they deserve.
Captan America: Brave New World Confirms Sam Wilson's Greatest Strength
The Film Explains Why Sam Was the Right Choice for the Shield
Part of the fun of having characters take on a preexisting mantle is that it shows how they shine in some areas where the previous iteration didn't. In the case of Captain America, Steve Rogers was a man out of time, continuing to hold onto ideals that he started back in the 1940s. He was every bit the noble hero fans loved, but he was also largely removed from the public eye, working to protect the country without always interacting with its people. Brave New World shows the importance of Sam Wilson getting into the thick of it with his fellow Americans -- and the impact both he and Steve have had on the country. Whether taking the time to make a fan feel special, or being a hero that people can relate to in a way they couldn't with Steve, Sam has his own unique qualities. Anthony Mackie shows that the best part of Sam Wilson isn't his wings, but the way he doesn't stop being of service.
Captain America: Brave New World focuses heavily on the impact of trust. Sam is often put in positions where he interacts with people who aren't as trustworthy. Not only does this allow him to shine bright, but it also offers multiple chances for other characters to do the right thing, too. President Ross acts before he thinks, aiming to send a message, whereas Sam seeks to uphold an age-old ideal that America was built on. While it's hard not to notice the symbolism in a time where the country has issues it must face head-on, that doesn't detract from why Sam has the shield -- and why he feels more real than ever. His beautifully choreographed fight scenes hit harder and feel even more draining than the iconic hallway fight from Daredevil. Sam's version of Captain America is only a human doing his best, no different than anyone else, and the film establishes why that's so important.
Harrison Ford Shines Among Brave New World's Supporting Cast
Ford's Performance as President Ross Is a Highlight
One of the things that immediately separates Brave New World from other superhero movies is the addition of Harrison Ford, and the film doesn't disappoint in giving his portrayal of Thunderbolt Ross plenty to do. Ford takes over the character from the late William Hurt -- who last appeared in Black Widow -- with grace and respect, showing a new side to Ross that enables audiences to enjoy both equally. This is a version of Ross who is trying to do better, but still has more than a few skeletons in his closet. He's still the same stubborn and surly character that fans have always known, just with more internal conflict. Plus, the legendary Ford embodying the Red Hulk is a sight to behold, as the character is well-adapted for his screen debut.
Elsewhere, Tim Blake Nelson doesn't miss a beat in his return as Samuel Sterns, and Brave New World's new villain may be one of the scariest and most faithful adaptations of a Marvel character yet. Another pleasant addition to the cast is Giancarlo Esposito as Sidewinder -- a relatively unknown villain that the Breaking Bad actor makes his own. Esposito turns the character into a merciless threat with skill and tactical knowledge that would put even the Punisher on the ropes. Audiences will leave the theater wanting to see Esposito in a future MCU movie.
Last but certainly not least, Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph AKA Sabra is a fun addition that helps expand the MCU and its roster of Black Widows even further. Carl Lumbly returns as Isaiah Bradley and serves as the heart of Captain America 4, delivering one of the most tragic performances in the franchise yet, while Joaquin Torres really gets to spread Falcon's wings as Sam's ally and friend. Just as fun to watch as Sebastian Stan's portrayal of Bucky Barnes, Torres' version of Danny Ramirez should likewise become a fan favorite. The cast is a huge reason to love Captain America: Brave New World.
Captain America: Brave New World Separates Itself From Steve Rogers
The Movie Enables Sam Wilson to Start His Own Legacy as Cap
Captain America: Brave New World may the fourth installment in the MCU's Captain America series, but it's impossible not to see this as something totally new. Sam Wilson separates himself from Steve Rogers by championing aspects of Captain America that audiences have never seen before. Yet that's also true of the movie, which doesn't feel like any of the prior installments, nor does it feel too classic. The film has a separate, distinct tone.
Brave New World takes a lot of inspiration from political thrillers, similar to Captain America: The Winter Soldier. But while that movie sought to embrace the 1970s era of political thrillers, Brave New World feels like it hearkens back to the 1990s. From a villain with a world-ending plan to being grounded to a point where even things that shouldn't work do (like a Red Hulk fighting a man with wings), Brave New World is cut from a totally different cloth. There are degrees of camp, whether it be Esposito's overtly villainous performance or the movie's difficulty balancing all its characters fairly. But Sam Wilson soars over one of the best Marvel movies in years, as Captain America: Brave New World proves that the MCU hasn't lost its touch.
Captain America: Brave New World is in theaters Feb. 14, 2025.
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