‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Draws Mixed First Reactions, Some Praising as an ‘Absolute Blast’ and Others Saying it’s ‘Slightly Empty’

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As a devoted cinephile, I’ve just heard that Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” has been screened for the movie press, and early responses to this highly anticipated comic book blockbuster have been somewhat tepid.

Entertainment journalist Herb Scribner from The Washington Post raved about “Brave New World” on X, labeling it as a “Thrilling ride. Completely engrossed in the narrative. It hit all the right notes for me. Reminiscent of an MCU film where every project seems significant once more. There’s a strong sense of unity here.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself somewhat underwhelmed by the latest Marvel installment. While I admired Anthony Mackie’s portrayal of Captain America and appreciated the somber, introspective tone, the film failed to deliver the emotional depth and narrative punch that I had anticipated. It left me yearning for more substance.

Movie reviewer Emmanuel Noisette shared a similar opinion to Parker’s regarding the film “Brave New World.” He noted that it was “well-balanced, engaging, and straight to the point.” The action was strong, and there were a few unexpected twists. Red Hulk delivered an impressive performance. It seemed as though the movie took numerous political jabs. It’s unclear whether the promotional material gave away too much or if the film itself lacked additional substance. Overall, it was an average production.

Indeed, Chris Gallardo, an entertainment writer, concurred with Scribner, expressing that Anthony Mackie has deservedly secured the role of Captain America in ‘Brave New World’. He delivers a commendable performance as Sam Wilson, and his on-screen camaraderie with Danny Ramirez is noteworthy. Moreover, Harrison Ford’s portrayal of President Ross/Red Hulk exudes charm, and the action sequences are thrilling when they unfold.

In “Captain America: Brave New World”, Anthony Mackie steps into the limelight for the first time as the main character in a Marvel film. His journey began over a decade ago in 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” where he was introduced as Sam Wilson/Falcon, working alongside Chris Evans’ Captain America. Steve Rogers, played by Evans, handed the Captain America shield to Sam at the end of 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame”, paving the way for Mackie to become one of the main stars in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” from 2021 found Sam grappling with what it means to be Captain America and whether or not he should accept the shield. Ultimately, he decided against taking it, leading us to “Captain America: Brave New World”.

In the latest movie, Sam finds it necessary to reconcile his past disputes with the American President, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford replacing the late William Hurt. Together, they delve into a mysterious theory linked to an assassination attempt and the worldwide struggle for control of adamantium. The movie also features Danny Ramirez as the latest Falcon, Giancarlo Esposito as the antagonist Sidewinder, and Shira Haas playing U.S. government operative Sabra.

“Captain America: Brave New World” opens in theaters Feb. 14 from Disney and Marvel Studios.

Check out more reactions below.

Experience ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ on the largest screen available! It delivers as expected, offering thrilling blockbuster action. Anthony Mackie shines as Captain America. Thoroughly enjoyed it. A fantastic addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Kudos to Laura Karpman for an impressive score,” – Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt)

I’m really digging the pairing of Anthony Mackie and Danny Ramirez, and I’d love to see more of Harrison Ford in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Perhaps this year’s Halloween costume could be Red Hulk – time to hit the gym!” – Marc Malkin (@marcmalkin)

John Flickinger (@theFLICKpick) says that #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld is a disappointing movie with a dull plot. The characters have limited development, the action scenes seem routine, and Red Hulk fails to excite. As the 35th film in the MCU, it appears to play it too safe.

As a cinema enthusiast, let me tell you that I found #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld to be quite an intriguing blend. It’s got its strong points and areas that could use some refinement. The excitement it delivers is palpable, and the message it conveys in these turbulent times feels truly meaningful. Moreover, it’s a refreshing comeback for the mainline MCU after a series of underwhelming productions, and it’s one of the few that advances the overall MCU narrative post-Endgame. – Ben Kendrick (@benkendrick)

Joseph Deckelmeier (@joedeckelmeier) found #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld to be quite enjoyable. He initially had concerns that the film might seem piecemeal, but he was pleasantly surprised by its smooth flow. He’s eagerly anticipating Anthony Mackie assembling the New Avengers. This serves as an excellent sequel to ‘The Falcon & Winter Soldier’ and ‘The Incredible Hulk’.

Joseph Deckelmeier really liked #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld, even though he thought it might be disjointed. But it wasn’t! He can’t wait to see Anthony Mackie assemble the New Avengers, and this is a great continuation of ‘The Falcon & Winter Soldier’ and ‘The Incredible Hulk’.

Brittany Patrice (@BB18180) shared her opinion about a film: “It was alright, but it had many flaws and seemed to focus more on the other characters rather than Sam taking up the Cap role. The movie failed to utilize its strengths effectively, leaving me feeling quite disappointed.

Jeff Nelson (@SirJeffNelson) states that the movie #CaptainAmerica/#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld isn’t particularly brave. Instead, it’s a standard political thriller with inconsistent emotional impact, repetitive storylines, and a less engaging narrative progression. The villain in this film is just another forgettable antagonist.

Tamara Fuentes (@tamara_fuentes) finds #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld captivating as it showcases Sam Wilson and Joaquin Torres, highlighting their heroics and their interpretation of America. However, the series seems to be heavily setting up future MCU developments, which at times causes confusion. Nonetheless, there are thrilling instances throughout.

Tessa Smith (@MamasGeeky) found ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ to be better than anticipated. She particularly enjoyed the witty interactions between Danny Ramirez and Anthony Mackie. Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk CGI was impressive, in her opinion. The film had its flaws, but she appreciated the delightful fan service moments.

Lee Travis (@LeeTravis_) considers #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld the least engaging Marvel Cinematic Universe film so far. It seems constrained in its ambitions and overly ambitious when it comes to world-building. The movie’s heart seems to have gotten lost amidst all the reshoots.

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2025-02-12 09:20