(L-R) Joaquin Torres/The Falcon (Danny Ramirez) and Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios' CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD . Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 MARVEL.
As Captain America says, “the only hit that matters is the last one.”
Although Marvel’s new Captain America is talking about what it means to survive a fight, maybe that phrase could apply just as readily to the state of the MCU. It’s not a secret that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has struggled to find consistency since the release of Avengers: Endgame. While films like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 were met with critical love, others such as Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels have struggled to find their audience. As a result, it is believed that Marvel’s theatrical hiatus allowed them to ‘refocus’ the MCU before their next massive Avengers adventures.
Maybe all they needed was the return of Captain America.
Directed by Julius Onah, Captain America: Brave New World is a thoroughly enjoyable and gritty return to form for the MCU. In Brave New World, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) finally owns the role of Captain America. Partnering with the US government, Sam works hard to keep the peace and build a new world together. However, after President Ross (Harrison Ford, stepping into the role for the late William Hurt) is attacked, Sam’s faith in the White House is shaken as he uncovers an old foe that had been buried for over a decade.
In terms of tone, Brave New World has drawn comparisons to Captain America: The Winter Soldier and those comments are justified. In many ways, the film feels like a neo-noir political thriller wrapped in superhero garb. While it doesn’t reach the intense heights of Winter Soldier, Onah ensures that Brave New World keeps its circle of characters relatively close. This is a story that feels ‘small’ when held in comparison to the multiversal saga and that its to its credit. There are few ‘superpowers’ on display and conspiracies run deeply. As a result, the film seems surprisingly relevant in the current political climate.
But World’s greatest strength is its Captain. Finally given the opportunity to take up the shield, Mackie shows incredible strength as the new Cap. Taking over an iconic character is never easy, especially in the endless Marvel universe. (For instance, when characters such as James Bond or Batman are recast, there are usually years in between for fans to separate themselves from beloved actors that become synonymous with the role.) But it’s important to note that Sam Wilson isn’t Steve Rogers. And he isn’t trying to be.
Instead, Mackie plays his Captain America as a man who is worthy of the role, even if not everyone has fully accepted him yet. One can almost feel Mackie level up his performance when compared to Wilson’s time as The Falcon. While his character arc on Disney+’s limited series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, was technically the first time we saw Wilson as Captain America, this truly is his first time out in front. Here, action scenes are given greater impact and, when in the heat of battle, Mackie is allowed to lead the charge. He is confident, empathetic and instantly endearing. His compassion makes him someone that who we want to aspire to be. That’s what makes Captain America worth following.
As a result, with Mackie, Marvel has a shot at a new beginning.
For that reason, this film feels more like Iron Man than it does Winter Soldier. Just as Tony Stark and his ‘new heart’ felt like an opportunity to create something special, Brave New World also acts like a building block for the future. In the midst of multiversal chaos, Brave New World instead wants to (mostly) help our planet at a time when it’s struggling to survive. President Ross is attempting to bring the world ‘together’ to navigate new circumstances. The returning villain wants revenge to a government that has held them back. In short, Brave New World shows America in chaos, clawing desperately at a healthier way forward.
That sounds pretty relevant to me.
Admittedly, Captain America: Brave New World is far from perfect. Despite clicking along at a good pacing, the storytelling is bumpy in spots. For example, while fun, the implementation of Red Hulk feels like it could have been executed more effectively. As such, the film doesn’t feel as though it’s one of Marvel’s top tier projects. Even so, Mackie ensures that Brave New World remains fun and fierce when it needs to be. This is a welcome return the sorts of stories that make us want to turn the page to the next chapter. After all, Marvel knows that the only hit that matters is the last one.
Captain America: Brave New World is available in theatres on Friday, February 14th, 2025.
