Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
- "Captain America: Brave New World" entertains but lacks originality and emotional depth.
- Harrison Ford joins as General Ross, while the film struggles with a weak villain.
- The movie relies on nostalgia and fan service, lacking a strong central storyline.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been a dominant force in Hollywood for well over a decade, delivering massive box office hits, introducing beloved characters, and redefining the modern blockbuster. But after more than 15 years of interconnected films and TV shows, the once-mighty franchise has started to show signs of fatigue.
The latest installment, "Captain America: Brave New World," isn't a bad movie, but it's a clear example of that fatigue. While it does enough to be entertaining, it also feels like just another superhero movie. It lacks the emotional weight and originality that made earlier Captain America films stand out.
Here's what worked, what didn't, and why "Brave New World" is more of a decent time-killer than a must-watch Marvel entry.
The good
A few fun action sequences
Marvel has always delivered strong action, and "Brave New World" is no exception. While much of the movie feels familiar, one standout scene takes place over the Indian Ocean, offering a thrilling aerial battle that injects some much-needed excitement. The scene is well-shot, visually engaging and reminds audiences why these movies are still capable of delivering high-energy spectacle.
Solid visual effects
Even with the recent dip in Marvel's CGI quality (cough, "Quantumania," cough), "Brave New World" manages to keep things looking sharp. The film has its fair share of CGI-heavy moments, but they're executed well enough to avoid pulling you out of the experience. While it doesn't introduce any groundbreaking visuals, it also doesn't suffer from the overuse of unpolished effects that have plagued other recent MCU films.
Harrison Ford steps in as General Ross
With the passing of William Hurt, Marvel had the difficult task of recasting General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross. Enter Harrison Ford, an actor who needs no introduction. While Ford doesn't do anything extraordinary with the role, he also doesn't feel out of place. It's a little strange not seeing Hurt in the part, but Ford brings his signature gruffness to the character, and it works well enough.
The Bad
A weak villain
One of the biggest issues with "Brave New World" is its villain — or lack of one. Marvel has had its fair share of forgettable bad guys, but this film takes it to another level. The antagonist never feels like a genuine threat, and his motivations are paper-thin. This is a major downgrade from previous Captain America films, which gave us complex, compelling villains like the Winter Soldier and Zemo.
A strong villain can elevate a movie, but "Brave New World" is missing that critical piece. Instead, we get a character who exists to create conflict but never leaves a lasting impact.
The story struggles to find its footing
"Brave New World" feels unsure of what it wants to be. Is it an intense political thriller like "The Winter Soldier," a passing-the-torch character study like "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," or a setup for future MCU projects? It dabbles in all these ideas but never commits to any of them, resulting in a plot that feels aimless.
The pacing doesn't help, either. While there are bursts of action, large sections of the movie drag, leaving you waiting for something meaningful to happen. Without a strong central storyline or emotional core, the film just kind of moves along without ever pulling viewers in.
More fan service than great storytelling
Marvel has leaned heavily into nostalgia and fan service in recent years, sometimes at the expense of storytelling. "Brave New World" falls into this trap, throwing in references and cameos that feel more like distractions than meaningful additions.
It's clear the filmmakers wanted to please longtime fans, but fan service works best when it is woven into a strong narrative — think "No Way Home." Here, it often feels like a substitute for substance. Instead of a gripping, well-crafted film, we get moments designed to elicit cheers but ultimately add little to the overall experience.
What parents should know
"Captain America: Brave New World" is rated PG-13, and it fits right into the standard MCU mold in terms of content. There's plenty of action but nothing overly violent or graphic. The language is mild, and there's no suggestive content to worry about. If your kids have seen other Marvel movies, this one won't pose any new concerns.
Conclusion
At this point, the Marvel burnout is real. "Brave New World" isn't a disaster, but it's not particularly memorable, either. It delivers some fun action, decent visuals and another chance to see Sam Wilson in his Captain America role — but it also suffers from weak storytelling, a forgettable villain, and an over-reliance on nostalgia.
If you're a die-hard Marvel fan, you'll probably find things to enjoy. But if you've been feeling superhero fatigue, this movie won't do much to reignite your excitement. It's an OK entry in the MCU — entertaining enough in the moment but unlikely to stick with you after the credits roll.
"Captain America: Brave New World" is officially rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence.
