Sat Feb 15 12:40:38 UTC 2025: ## Captain America: Brave New World – A Solid, If Unremarkable, Debut for Mackie’s Cap
**Wellington, NZ** – Anthony Mackie takes the Captain America mantle in *Captain America: Brave New World*, a new Marvel film directed by Julius Onah. While the film delivers decent performances and a serviceable espionage plot reminiscent of *The Winter Soldier*, it ultimately falls short of expectations due to a predictable storyline, underwhelming action sequences, and noticeable post-production issues.
The film sees Sam Wilson navigate an international crisis under the presidency of Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), who replaces the late William Hurt. Mackie delivers a solid performance, successfully portraying a more grounded and earnest Captain America, while Carl Lumbly shines as Isaiah Bradley, providing an emotional core to the narrative. Danny Ramirez as the new Falcon also impresses. Ford’s Ross, however, feels somewhat underutilized.
Despite some enjoyable cameos, the film suffers from several weaknesses. The lack of a memorable musical score, lackluster fight choreography, and visible flaws from extensive reshoots detract from the overall experience. A largely abandoned villain plotline further highlights these production issues. The reviewer also notes that the film’s connection to the wider MCU felt forced rather than organically integrated.
While *Captain America: Brave New World* offers a satisfactory introduction to Mackie’s Captain America, its predictable plot and technical shortcomings prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite these drawbacks, the strong performances and some enjoyable moments make it a worthwhile watch for Marvel fans. The film is currently playing in cinemas.
First Piper 