Captain America: Brave New World
Sam Wilson officially becomes Captain America in this political thriller sequel
The brief
Anthony Mackie steps into the shield with workmanlike determination, but Captain America: Brave New World feels like Marvel going through the motions rather than blazing any new trail. Harrison Ford brings gravitas as President Ross, yet the political thriller elements never quite gel with the superhero spectacle, leaving both halves feeling underdeveloped. The action beats hit their marks without much flair, and while Mackie has the charm to carry a franchise, the script doesn't give him nearly enough to work with. This one's for MCU completists and anyone who just wants to see where Sam Wilson's story goes next, but don't expect the tightness of Winter Soldier.
The verdict
If you're invested in Sam Wilson's character arc and don't mind formulaic Marvel entries, this delivers adequate superhero action with Anthony Mackie's likable performance. If you expect the political thriller sophistication of Winter Soldier or need your MCU films to break new ground, you'll find this disappointingly by-the-numbers.
Watch with
- 👥 MCU fans wanting Sam Wilson's next chapter
- ⚠️ Casual viewers may find it formulaic
Heads up
- Superhero action violence throughout (moderate)
- Political thriller tension and conspiracies (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Julius Onah
- Cast
- Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Tim Blake Nelson, Carl Lumbly, Giancarlo Esposito
Official synopsis
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War (2026)
Both feature heroes navigating international conspiracies with high political stakes.
Total runtime: 1h 59m + 1h 45m = 3h 44m
