A noisy, overstuffed MCU entry with some political-thriller trappings, but the consensus points to weak execution, uneven CGI, and a story that feels more like connective tissue than a satisfying standalone film. It may work for viewers deeply invested in post-Endgame Marvel continuity, but most audiences will find… Read more
Captain America: Brave New World
Where to watch: Buy
Movie · Action · Thriller
Wed · 1h 59m
Director: Julius Onah
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez
Overview
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.
Director
Julius Onah
Cast
Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez
Curator Review
Verdict
A noisy, overstuffed MCU entry with some political-thriller trappings, but the consensus points to weak execution, uneven CGI, and a story that feels more like connective tissue than a satisfying standalone film. It may work for viewers deeply invested in post-Endgame Marvel continuity, but most audiences will find it more frustrating than fun.
Best for
MCU completionists
Viewers curious about Sam Wilson’s Captain America
Fans of glossy studio action with political intrigue
People who enjoy franchise lore and crossover setup
Skip if
You want a tight, self-contained superhero movie
You’re tired of multiverse-era Marvel sprawl
You’re sensitive to obvious CGI or uneven visual effects
You prefer strong character arcs over franchise bookkeeping
Overview
Captain America: Brave New World aims for a leaner, more grounded Marvel mode, with Sam Wilson pulled into a conspiracy that wants to feel like a political thriller. The problem is that the movie keeps tripping over its own franchise obligations, stuffing in legacy threads, callbacks, and setup until the suspense gets buried under continuity noise.
Worth noting
There are flashes of the old Marvel rhythm here: a capable lead, some brisk action, and a premise that should have had real tension. But the film’s visual polish and dramatic stakes are inconsistent, and the story often feels like it is assembling a larger universe rather than telling a complete one.
Bottom line
If you’re already committed to the MCU, there’s enough here to justify a watch, especially for the character of Sam Wilson. For everyone else, it plays more like a middling chapter in a long-running series than a movie with its own identity.
Top Letterboxd reviews
whenthepawn___ (3.5★) · 25764 likes
The most unrealistic part of this movie is that the president actually went to prison for his crimes
Cody (2★) · 14999 likes
When Cap earnestly says to Hulkiana Jones “Remember this place? You used to come here with Betty” and it’s literally a CGI parking lot…baby that’s comedy
David Sims (1★) · 14130 likes
would love to know Red Hulk's plans for combating inflation
Cyrus (3★) · 12768 likes
the 17 people that watched eternals and the incredible hulk are going to love this.
Qukey (3.5★) · 12157 likes
Cap's got a 400 day Duolingo streak
Themes
political conspiracy, superhero legacy, government power, international incident, identity and responsibility, franchise continuity, rage and control, public trust
Topics
superhero, action thriller, political conspiracy, comic-book adaptation, franchise sequel, government intrigue, high-stakes action, CGI-heavy, 2020s, mainstream blockbuster