Captain America: Brave New World delivers a gripping, politically charged thriller that manages to successfully establish Sam Wilson as the new Captain America. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of The Winter Soldier, the film offers a refreshing and grounded take on the superhero genre, as it artfully balances espionage, character-driven drama, and high-stakes action set pieces.
Picking up after the momentous events of Avengers: Endgame, where Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) passed his iconic shield to Wilson (Anthony Mackie), Brave New World plunges Sam into a complex and politically charged world. With Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), now President of the United States, Sam finds himself embroiled in an international incident that hits close to home. The situation involves his friend and mentor, Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), a super-soldier who endured decades of imprisonment and brutal experimentation at the hands of the state.
Mackie’s portrayal of Wilson is absolutely central to the film’s success, proving beyond a doubt that he’s worthy of wielding the shield and the mantle it represents. Crucially, unlike Steve Rogers, Sam lacks the Super Soldier Serum, making his journey uniquely compelling and relatable. He’s forced to rely on his intelligence, tactical skills honed as Falcon, and sheer determination—a dynamic that director Julius Onah emphasises effectively, showcasing the new Cap’s vulnerability and resourcefulness. Mackie brings a nuanced depth to the role, showcasing a hero grappling with the immense political weight of being Captain America in a deeply divided world, wrestling with questions of legacy and responsibility.
The return to a political thriller format works exceptionally well, but with a more modern and nuanced perspective. Themes of leadership, identity, and legacy resonate powerfully throughout the narrative as Sam navigates the treacherous waters of an international crisis involving President Ross. The film doesn’t shy away from drawing parallels to current world events, making them both poignant and deliberate.
Brave New World also reintroduces a familiar face in a new light: Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), now known as The Leader, whose long-awaited return brings an intriguing new layer of conflict and sets the stage for future storylines.
However, Brave New World isn’t entirely without its flaws. While the political intrigue is consistently engaging, there are moments where the pacing feels slightly uneven, hindering the overall flow of the narrative. Despite this, there’s a wealth of material to praise, including the welcome and effective shift in tone from the epic scale of previous Avengers films to a more grounded and character-focused approach.
Captain America: Brave New World is a strong and compelling entry in the MCU. It successfully establishes Sam Wilson as a distinct and compelling Captain America—one defined not by superpowers, but by his resilience, his unwavering belief in justice, and his commitment to leadership in a challenging world.
While not a flawless masterpiece, it’s an exciting and thought-provoking chapter that firmly solidifies Sam’s place as a central figure in the franchise. Fans of the MCU’s grounded, espionage-driven stories, as well as those interested in character-driven narratives, will find much to enjoy and discuss.
