Anthony Mackie makes his standalone solo film debut with Sam Wilson taking up the mantle in Captain America: Brave New World and the consensus on this outing is in. Was Harrison Ford’s Red Hulk versus Cap everything it’s been built up to be? Are we ready for what the Serpent Society has in store? Here’s what critics and pop culture commentators had to say about the Marvel Studios picture, ahead of the film’s release this Valentine’s Day.
The answer is… well, decidedly mixed. Some people seem to be very much into the performances of Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford as Sam Wilson and Thaddeus Ross, respectively, but a lot of people seem to think that Marvel’s misguised era post-Endgame continues here.
Here’s a sampling of the reactions so far.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD: looks like Marvel got that Netflix memo about characters having to say everything they do so an inattentive audience can keep up. Extreme Disney+ series energy
— Hoai-Tran Bui (@htranbui) February 12, 2025
Captain America: Brave New World is a game-changer for Phase 5 of the MCU. Mackie soars past the role of Falcon cementing himself as the new Captain America. Ford puts his signature grunting and crankiness to great use as Thaddeus Ross and Red Hulk. Brave New World is like Falcon… pic.twitter.com/4YxPScKvfF
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) February 12, 2025
#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld brings an exciting idea for the future of the MCU under Sam Wilson as leader. A pretty solid Cap meets Hulk film but where it shines is in @AnthonyMackie and @DannyRamirez‘s performances. Harrison Ford is having so much fun and I had fun with him pic.twitter.com/cE6zv0uo6j
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) February 12, 2025
I used to complain about how Marvel’s problem was making movies that were “fun” but nothing more.
Now, I just wish #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld was remotely fun.
A dour thriller-lite afraid of saying anything. Some sparks of excitement, mostly flat. pic.twitter.com/q9KDzAv3JP
— Alex Leadbeater (@ADLeadbeater) February 12, 2025
CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD was…kinda awesome?
Flawed fun, to be sure — part WINTER SOLDIER lite, part quasi-sequel to INCREDIBLE HULK.
It (mostly) looks great and, despite a script in need of polishing, felt like classic Marvel fun.
Game changer? No.
A blast? Sure. pic.twitter.com/OxNgstFP3w
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) February 12, 2025
CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD seems to only exist to wrap up loose ends to The Incredible Hulk and Eternals. And in doing so the plot is about as convoluted and dull as that all sounds. This should have been called Captain America: Loose Ends #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) February 12, 2025
CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD is below-average Marvel. The director seemed overwhelmed. You felt the chaos of all five writers stitching this together. Harrison Ford was underutilized. An angry President exploding with rage during a press conference of questions is very 2025.
— Kenny Miles (@TheKennyMiles) February 12, 2025
Captain America: Brave New World opens this Friday February 14.
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