Captain America: Brave New World Review – Is It Worth Watching?

You Want Me? Come and Get Me!

What’s a better Valentine’s Day mashup than a giant piece of red meat… with a side of America? Honestly, I don’t know where I was going with that, but I’m sticking to it.

Captain America: Brave New World hit theaters on February 14, 2025, bringing us the next chapter in the MCU while tying up loose ends from previous films. The movie stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, now fully stepping into the role of Captain America, and Harrison Ford as President Thunderbolt Ross, taking over from the late William Hurt.

After Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers passed the shield to Sam. Falcon and the Winter Soldier explored his struggle with taking on the mantle, but by the end of the series, he embraced his new role. Now, in Brave New World, we see him in action as Captain America.

Plot Breakdown (Spoiler-Free)

There’s a lot going on in this film. Remember the Celestial that started emerging from Earth in Eternals? Well, it left behind a valuable new element: Adamantium (comic fans know this as the metal coating Wolverine’s skeleton). Naturally, world leaders—including the U.S. and Japan—want a piece of it. President Ross attempts to negotiate a treaty to prevent war, but things go sideways when Isaiah Bradley seemingly tries to assassinate him.

For those who skipped Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Isaiah Bradley was actually the first Captain America before Steve Rogers. His tragic backstory made him a deeply compelling character, and this movie leans into that. Sam and his partner Joaquin Torres (the new Falcon) investigate the assassination attempt, leading them to Samuel Sterns (a.k.a. The Leader), making his return from The Incredible Hulk. That’s where I’ll stop with spoilers—trust me, there’s a lot more to unpack.

The Backlash: Is It Justified?

Right off the bat, this film is facing some harsh criticism. It’s currently sitting at 51% on Rotten Tomatoes but has a much stronger 79% critic score. Some are calling it disappointing, lifeless, or just another lackluster MCU entry. But here’s the thing: many people keep going into these movies expecting another Endgame, which is just unrealistic. The post-Endgame MCU has been hit or miss, sure, but some genuinely good films have been unfairly panned because of sky-high expectations.

And let’s address the elephant in the room—some of the hate is straight-up racist. The fact that certain people are still complaining about Sam Wilson being Captain America is ridiculous. “He isn’t my Cap!”—please, shut your racist ass up.

Is Brave New World Worth Watching?

Absolutely. It’s better than half of what the MCU has put out since Endgame. Is it the best? No. But for me, it’s in the top five of the last two phases, tied with Multiverse of Madness and just above Eternals.

Anthony Mackie as Captain America: This film truly solidifies Sam Wilson as Cap. By the end of FatWS, he accepted the role, but Brave New World shows him fully embodying it. He’s not just trying to be Steve Rogers—he’s his own Captain America, and that’s what makes it work. His chemistry with Danny Ramirez’s Falcon is fantastic, and I want to see more of them together.

Harrison Ford as Thunderbolt Ross: A scene-stealer. While I’m still unsure about the casting due to Ford’s age, he delivers. His Red Hulk? Menacing, but as expected, he doesn’t get much screen time. Marvel should’ve kept him out of the marketing to maintain the surprise.

Shira Haas as Ruth: This character has been a point of controversy, but honestly, she wasn’t memorable. She serves her purpose in the story, but you could swap her out with any other character, and nothing would change.

Tim Blake Nelson as The Leader: A standout villain. His return adds a layer of menace that the MCU has been missing. He’s easily one of the best antagonists since Kang and Gorr.

Visuals & Action

The CGI is solid overall, mainly enhancing the action sequences. However, the green screen effects are noticeable, especially in the final act. My girlfriend caught it a few times before I did, but by the end, it was impossible to ignore.

The action itself is intense, though some of the editing could have been paced better. It doesn’t quite reach Winter Soldier levels, but the aerial fight scene alone is worth the IMAX ticket.

Final Verdict

This isn’t Winter Soldier, nor is it Avengers. It’s its own thing, and Sam Wilson is his own Captain America. Go in expecting a political thriller with action—not a full-blown superhero blockbuster—and you’ll have a great time.

Final Score: 8/10