Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

What is the Movie Captain America: Brave New World About?

Shortly after becoming the second Captain America, Sam Wilson is tasked by newly elected US President Thaddeus Ross to reform the Avengers. However, when Korean war veteran Isaiah Bradley attempts to assassinate Ross, it sets events in motion that lead Sam into the heart of a nefarious global plot, one that might involve the President himself. 

Our Honest Review of Captain America: Brave New World

We’ve seen more than our fair share of superhero movies, but we still had a pretty good time with the popcorn munching fun of Captain America: Brave New World. It’s full of familiar Marvel tropes and it is getting predictable, but the formula works! It’s been years, and we still love seeing superheroes bashing bad guys across the screen. 

It’s about time that Anthony Mackie was given the lead role, and he runs with it, but with the added twist that this Captain America has no special powers, he’s just a guy. A very highly trained guy, yes, but there’s a vulnerability to him that makes him more interesting than a syringe full of super serum ever could. We know this one divided audiences, but as far as we’re concerned, there’s life in the MCU yet. 

What Do the Critics Think of Captain America: Brave New World?

The critical response to the fourth Captain America movie was mixed. Anthony Mackie received praise for his performance, but the visuals and character development attracted some negative press. 

• “This movie cannot settle down and be what it needs to be in the moment. It is trying to tie back to movies you don't like and don't remember.” - Christy Lemire, FilmWeek. 

• “I found it absolutely impossible to get interested in it. The writing is at its very, very best functional.” - Mark Kermode, Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review. 

• “It’s too much to saddle his stand-alone film with this much exposition, and yet, Mackie and Onah bear it with as much grace as they can… a decent political thriller with something culturally resonant to say that exceeds mere comic-book particulars.” - Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service. 

• “Hitting the screen like a shot of pure unfiltered adrenaline, director James Mangold's Ford v Ferrari is an outstanding historical character study.” - Sarah Michelle Fetters, Moviefreak.com 

• “The pleasures offered in “Captain America: Brave New World” are neither grand nor groundbreaking, but they’re consistent and earned.” - Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun Times.

What Awards and Nominations did Captain America: Brave New World Receive?

Captain America was not put forward for many awards, although it did get a few nominations for the 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards and the Critics’ Choice Super Awards. These included:

• Favourite Movie at the Kids Choice Awards.
• Favourite Butt-Kicker for Anthony Mackie at the Kids Choice Awards.
• Favourite Villain for Harrison Ford at the Kids Choice Awards.
• Best Superhero Movie at the 5th Critics Choice Super Awards.
• Best Actor In A Superhero Movie for Anthony Mackie at the 5th Critics Choice Super Awards. 

Director & Cast of Captain America: Brave New World

Fun Facts About Captain America: Brave New World

• The film’s subtitle is also the title of the first episode of The Falcon And The Winter Soldier TV series.

• Harrison Ford replaces William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross. Hurt was an MCU mainstay, first appearing in The Incredible Hulk (2008) and then reprising the role in four more films, but he passed away in 2022.

• Despite playing a prominent role, Sidewinder was only added to the film in reshoots. Giancarlo Esposito was given blue eyes in post-production to better match his comic book equivalent.

• Tim Blake Nelson’s first MCU role since 2008. He was reportedly thrilled at being asked to reprise the character, as he was disappointed that The Incredible Hulk never got a direct sequel.

• Harrison Ford previously played the United States President in Air Force One (1997).

Themes of Captain America: Brave New World

The central storyline of Brave New World is about the pressure faced by Sam Wilson to live up to the Captain America name. His predecessor was an artificially enhanced super soldier, whereas Sam is a mere mortal. He’s highly trained and experienced, but ultimately, he’s not an indestructible mega man and must overcome his doubts when a new threat rises.

Alongside this, there are subtle hints about strength through diversity. Wilson and his fellow heroes represent three generations of the black and latino communities, although this is handled in a relatively low key manner. Crucially, Sam also depicts the power of human empathy, as he is a good man struggling to do the right thing rather than the symbol of nationalist power that his moniker suggests. 

How Does Captain America: Brave New World Compare to Julius Onah’s Other Work?

Frankly, it doesn’t bear much resemblance to his previous films. This was Julius Onah’s fourth feature-length directing job, but it doesn’t have a lot in common with The Girl Is In Trouble (2015) or Luce (2019). 

You could make the argument that his 2018 film The Cloverfield Paradox has some similarities as both are science fiction coded, but that movie was poorly written and confusing. Brave New World is far more accessible and entertaining, as well as being more family friendly. 

Iconic Scenes from A Time To Kill

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• The film’s original title was Captain America: New World Order. However, this phrase is often associated with anti-semitic conspiracy theories and was deemed by the studio to have too many negative connotations.

• Professional wrestler Seth Rollins was cast in a supporting role, but was cut from the film during post-production.

• When creating the Red Hulk character, Wētā FX wanted to ensure they didn’t just replicate the original Hulk in a different colour. They intended him to be more athletic than the Hulk and more intimidating, as well as incorporating a methodical approach to his actions that reflected his military background. Harrison Ford himself provided motion capture for the Red Hulk and his scenes involved over 300 digital effects shots.

• There was some controversy over the inclusion of Ruth Bat-Seraph. The character is depicted in the film as a Black Widow assassin who works for the US Government, but her comic equivalent is an Israeli mutant and former Mossad Agent. The background was reportedly changed to avoid negative stereotypes and criticism from Pro-Palestinian organisations, but still resulted in criticism that the character had been stripped of her identity and reduced to an unessential sidekick.  

What’s the Soundtrack Like for Captain America: Brave New World?

The score was composed by the Emmy Award winning musician Laura Karpman. She had previously written the music for the MCU series What If…(2021-2024) and Ms. Marvel (2022) and for the feature film The Marvels (2023).

It’s a pretty decent score too, evocative of seventies political thrillers and it made us feel more than a little jittery. If you want music that’s equal parts grandiose and paranoid, this is the one for you. It is too long though and could have done with being trimmed down.

Best Quotes from Captain America: Brave New World

• “You may be Captain America, but you're not Steve Rogers.” - Thaddeus Ross tries to insult Sam Wilson.

• “Should've taken the serum.” - Sam Wilson questions his life choices.

• “Since when are they red?” - A reporter gets her first look at a new Hulk.

• “Captain America, caught without his wings.” - Sidewinder mocks Captain America.
  
• “Steve gave them something to believe in, you give them something to aspire to.” - Bucky Barnes summarises the differences between Steve Rodgers and Sam Wilson.

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