Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Captain America: Brave New World.Captain America: Brave New Worldis not the best movie in the hero’sMarvel Cinematic Universefranchise. In fact, I think it is the worst. However, that does not make it nearly as bad as the negative reviews make the film look. Captain America is my favorite MCU hero, which means I’ve spent countless hours rewatchingChris Evans' Captain America trilogy. I wassad to see Steve Rogers go inAvengers: Endgame, but I felt his ending was sweet, though I wish some things had been done differently.
That said, I never had a problem with Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson being chosen to replace Steve as Captain America infuture MCU movies. I always feltSam made more sense than Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes. That is why I was so excited about his first film as the lead, and I was surprised byCaptain America: Brave New World’s negative reviews. The film holds a 49% Tomatometer score from critics onRotten Tomatoesat the time of writing. While it could have been better, the Captain America movie is not as bad as it is said to be.
I Agree That Chris Evans’ Captain America Trilogy Is Better Than Brave New World
It Is The MCU’s Best Trilogy
I think it is unfair to say thatBrave New Worldis a bad movie simply because it ranks last in the Captain America franchise. The 2025 film simply had too high a bar to reach, asChris Evans' Captain America trilogy is regarded by many as the MCU’s best for good reason. I love every single one of Evans' Captain America movies.The First Avengerwas the perfect Steve Rogers origin and visually stunning war epic, whileThe Winter Soldierdefined grounded thrillers for the MCU, andCivil Warwas an Avengers movie with Captain America as the star.
10 Best Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson Captain America Fight Scenes In The MCU, Ranked
Captain America: Brave New World added many exciting fight scenes to the MCU, and Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson have had major fights as Captain America.
One of the easiest ways to compare Evans' Captain America trilogy to Mackie’sBrave New Worldis through the movie that inspired the MCU’s latest Captain America entry. 2014’sCaptain America: The Winter Soldierset the tone for what grounded thrillers should be like in the MCU, with political intrigue, hard-hitting action, and high stakes. It was repeated in many interviews thatCaptain America: Brave New Worldwas inspired byThe Winter Soldier, and it is clear that the film went for the same tone. However, I never found it as exciting or profound as Evans' second Captain America movie.
Captain America: Brave New World Shows Just How Worthy Sam Wilson Is Of His MCU Title
The MCU’s New Captain America Shines In The Film
I understand some of the criticism surroundingCaptain America: Brave New World, as I too felt there were too many subplots, with characters like the Serpent Society not playing much of a role, the dialogue carried too much exposition, andthe Leader was not the most exciting villain. However, I refuse to believe the movie is on the same level asIron Man 2and other such entries commonly ranked at the bottom of the MCU, no matter how much its negative reviews believe that to be accurate. Sam Wilson shines inCaptain America: Brave New World.
Wilson cements himself asCaptain America in Brave New World, and I absolutely loved howMarvel did not shy away from the Steve Rogers comparisons. It was important to address to movie audiences how Sam could be Captain America without taking the super-soldier serum. AsBucky put it in his surprising cameo, Sam’s true power lies in his humanity, being able to show kindness and help those in need. That point was hit home in the fight against Red Hulk. Sam tries his best but can’t beat him, so he uses his experience and reasons with him, making Ross stop.
The MCU’s First Movie Of 2025 Sets Up So Much For The Franchise’s Future
The Multiverse Saga And Beyond Can Thrive Off Captain America: Brave New World’s Setups
Another positive aspect ofCaptain America: Brave New Worldis how much it puts in motion for future MCU releases. I never felt like the film’s story suffered from the teases of what could go on to happen in other Marvel projects. Instead, I was excited about the potential some of them have. The biggest tease relates to Sam Wilson, asCaptain America decides that he will restart the Avengers, not working under Thaddeus Ross, but separately from the government once again. The Leader’s speech also set up the events ofAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, which I didn’t expect.
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I loved how one of the film’s biggest teases for the future of the MCU played such a key role inCaptain America: Brave New World.The film introduced Adamantium, a metal stronger than Vibraniumthat can be found on Celestial Island — the dead Celestial Tiamut seen inEternals— and is connected to Wolverine and the X-Men. Other teases, like Bucky becoming a congressman and Red Hulk ending up in the Raft, where he could eventually be recruited for the Thunderbolts, were also exciting. All in all,Captain America: Brave New Worldis an enjoyable movie with a great lead.
