CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Clings To The Past

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD (Digital)

2025 / 118 min

From Marvel/Disney

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😼

Available on Digital NOW and 4K, Blu-ray & DVD 5/13

Of all the Marvel movies, the first two Captain Americas are my personal favorites. The third one? Not so much, mainly because it felt like more of a transitional Avengers episode than a movie that can be appreciated on its own terms. 

I also really enjoyed The Falcon and the Winter Soldier during the short time I had Disney+. Yeah, it was sad that Steve Rogers was gone, but Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) was a worthy heir to the shield and the (mostly) stand-alone story was really good. It also introduced a few interesting new characters along with some familiar faces…Familiar if you’ve been keeping up, that is.

Captain America: Brave New World certainly assumes you have. In fact, you might need a masters degree from MCUniversity to appreciate half of it. Not only does it operate on the conceit that the audience is well familiar with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but also Eternals, Black Widow, Ant-Man, all the Avengers movies and even 2000’s The Incredible Hulk (you know, the one with Edward Norton). 

The narrative depends on the past more than any other MCU film to date. Starting at the top, viewers who’ve never subscribed to Disney+ might find themselves asking,“When and how did Sam Wilson become Captain America?” Haven’t revisited the mostly forgotten Incredible Hulk movie from 25 years ago? Well, that’s on you, even though the film isn’t even considered part of the MCU. Newcomers will likely find the movie lacking in overall character exposition because a lot of them were established in other movies and TV shows.

Cap forgets where he parked.

Obviously, Brave New World isn’t intended for newcomers, an attitude that has torpedoed some recent Marvel movies. But the good news is that it’s better than The Marvels, Wakanda Forever & Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Much of that is due to the performances. Mackie earnestly demonstrates resolve and vulnerability, while Harrison Ford as now-President Thaddius Ross (assuming the role played by the late William Hurt) indulges in a rare bit of scenery chewing. Giancarlo Esposito is fun as Sidewinder, though he’s underused compared to the far less interesting main antagonist, Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson).

The serviceable story never approaches the throwback fun of The First Avenger or the intrigue of The Winter Soldier, but is fairly entertaining in the moment (and maybe just forgettable enough to seem new again during repeated viewings). There’s also plenty of action throughout, though sometimes a little too dependent on CGI (which is pretty wonky at times). But on the plus side, here’s a rare Marvel movie that’s comparatively light on rampant mass destruction. I like citywide mayhem as much as the next guy. I also love lasagna…just not for every damn meal.

Additionally, Captain America: Brave New World does not have the look or tone of the other three movies, which I think is by design since it gives us a new Captain. But I don’t think it goes far enough. At this point, a fresher move would’ve been to ditch the MCU baggage with a stand-alone story that doesn’t cling to the past or offer hints about the future. 

EXTRA KIBBLES

FEATURETTES - Assuming the Mantle; Old Scores, New Scars.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By director Julius Onah and cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau.

BLOOPERS - It’s mostly just actors dancing for the camera.

3 DELETED SCENES