The latest movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Captain America: Brave New World,” struggles to stand out in a sea of superhero films, delivering a forgettable story despite solid performances from Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford.
As someone who only knows these characters from the big screen, I had hoped for a refreshing take on what it means to carry the shield, especially with Anthony Mackie stepping into the role of Captain America.
Mackie took up the mantle of Captain America following Chris Evans’ departure, and his performance deserves recognition. Mackie brings an earnestness to Sam Wilson that makes him relatable as a hero grappling with both personal doubts and the weight of his new role.
Ford, stepping in as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, delivers a gravitas that complements Mackie’s vulnerability. Their performances elevate scenes that otherwise fall flat due to the uninspired script. Unfortunately, even strong acting can’t save a story that feels like it was pulled from a template labeled “generic superhero plot.”
The action sequences are one of the film’s biggest letdowns.
Marvel movies are known for their spectacle, but the fight scenes here feel indistinguishable from any other blockbuster. Explosions, fast cuts and CGI-heavy battles dominate the screen, but they lack creativity or emotional stakes. It seemed like the action was there simply to fill time between expository dialogue and predictable twists. For a character like this, whose appeal is as much about ideals as it is about action, this was a major missed opportunity.
One of the most anticipated aspects of this film was how it would address Wilson’s new position as a Black man wielding the iconic shield. The movie acknowledges this, but only in fleeting moments. There are brief scenes that hint at societal challenges and public perceptions of a Black Captain America, but the film never commits to exploring these ideas in depth.
As a white viewer, I can’t claim to fully understand the complexities of this topic, but even from my perspective, it’s clear that more could have been done to engage with these themes.
As someone who only watches the Marvel films, hearing that this topic was developed more in a corresponding Marvel TV show is frustrating. Marvel can’t expect all movie-goers to watch eight episodes as a precursor to the movie. If they were going to walk the line of what the new version of the series is, I would have preferred the backstory to lie in the movie rather than a Disney+ original.
What’s most frustrating about “Captain America: Brave New World” is how unambitious it feels. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has shown it can deliver emotionally resonant and thought-provoking stories, as seen in movies like “Black Panther.” But this installment, like many other recent Marvel franchise films, feels content to coast on its brand recognition rather than pushing the narrative boundaries of what a superhero film can be.
Mackie’s potential is great.
As an actor, his performance delivered the bravery and air Chris Evans had, if not more. The down-to-earth soldier act is missing from Mackie, but a new Captain means new opportunities.
Marvel had the chance to create a stand-out film uplifting a Black actor in an iconic role. Instead of that, they delivered an uninspired cookie-cutter film that doesn’t encourage fans to keep up to date with the movies. They had a chance to take a swing at a better-than-good movie, but instead they left Mackie and his new Captain America to fend for themselves.
Ultimately, “Brave New World” doesn’t feel brave at all. It’s a movie that plays it safe, relying on tried-and-true tropes instead of challenging the genre or addressing the weighty themes it introduces. For viewers like me, who only know these characters from the films and aren’t steeped in the comics’ lore, this was a disappointing entry in the franchise.
Captain America deserves better, and so do audiences.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
To read more like this, click here.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://indianapolisrecorder.com/captain-cookie-cutter-mackie-shines-in-otherwise-predictable-film/&media=https://indianapolisrecorder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/hpt1500_trl_comp_wta_v0280_ac644c4f-scaled.jpeg&description=The latest movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Captain America: Brave New World," struggles to stand out in a sea of superhero films.){kind=link}