New ‘Captain America’ Film Gets Mixed Reviews-Strong Performances, But an Empty Narrative?
Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World has been screened for members of the press, and early reactions to the latest superhero installment have been mixed.
Herb Scribner, an entertainment reporter for The Washington Post, shared his enthusiasm for the film on X, describing it as an “absolute blast.” He praised its cohesive storytelling, noting that it felt like a true MCU film where past projects played a meaningful role in the narrative.
However, some critics found the film underwhelming. Cris Parker expressed that while he appreciated Anthony Mackie’s portrayal of Captain America and the film’s more serious tone, it didn’t quite deliver the emotional or narrative weight he had anticipated. Similarly, film critic Emmanuel Noisette called it “grounded, entertaining, and to the point,” but noted that it seemed to hold back on its political themes and lacked much beyond what had already been revealed in marketing. He described it as an “average” entry in the franchise.
Despite mixed reviews, Mackie has been widely praised for his lead performance. Having first appeared as Sam Wilson/Falcon in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), he officially took up the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers passed him the shield in Avengers: Endgame (2019). The Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) explored Sam’s internal struggle over embracing the role, ultimately leading to his new position in Brave New World.
In the upcoming film, Sam Wilson must set aside his differences with U.S. President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross—portrayed by Harrison Ford, who replaces the late William Hurt—to uncover a conspiracy linked to an assassination attempt and a global conflict over adamantium. The movie also introduces Danny Ramirez as the new Falcon, Giancarlo Esposito as the antagonist Sidewinder, and Shira Haas as government agent Sabra.
Captain America: Brave New World is set to hit theaters on February 14, with Disney and Marvel Studios overseeing its release.
