Captain America: Brave New World promised a bold new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but unfortunately, it faltered under the weight of its ambitions. While the film delivered a handful of shining moments, particularly in its well-executed and visually thrilling action sequences, it ultimately struggled to leave a lasting impact. The story felt lackluster, with a narrative that lacked the emotional depth and cohesion fans have come to expect from the franchise. While it had potential, these missteps leave Brave New World feeling more like a missed opportunity than the daring reinvention it aspires to be.

Plot Issues and Bland Narrative

The biggest flaw of Brave New World lies in its weak and inconsistent plot. The movie attempts to tackle several ideas at once—from geopolitical tension to personal struggles—but fails to develop any of them in a compelling manner. The primary conflict, revolving around an emerging global threat, feels like a recycled, generic villain plotline. The antagonist, a shadowy intelligence operative named Adrian Chase, is neither intimidating nor memorable. His motivations are painfully underdeveloped, presented through rushed exposition that fails to make audiences care about his schemes.

The plot tries to address Sam Wilson’s struggles as the new Captain America, balancing his personal identity with his superhero responsibilities. While this should have been the emotional core of the film, it is poorly executed. The story resorts to shallow monologues and predictable scenarios rather than genuine character growth or nuanced storytelling. The result is a narrative that feels hollow and overly reliant on surface-level conflicts.

Flat Character Development

Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) deserves better. Following his powerful sendoff in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, fans expected a deeper exploration of his character. Unfortunately, Brave New World reduces Sam to a walking emblem of morality, with very little complexity or internal conflict. He spends much of the film delivering speeches about doing the right thing, which feels contrived and repetitive. His struggles with public acceptance as Captain America are present, but they’re handled in a perfunctory manner, never hitting the emotional depth the subject deserved.

Supporting characters fare even worse. Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), now the new Falcon, has little to do besides quip in a few team-up moments. His character lacks personality and leaves no lasting impression. The dynamic between Sam and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), which was a highlight in the television series, is almost nonexistent here. Bucky appears in a single scene that serves no meaningful purpose in the narrative.

Pacing Problems

At 2 hours and 20 minutes, Brave New World feels much longer. The pacing is sluggish, particularly in the second act, which drags with exposition-heavy scenes and an overabundance of subplots. The movie constantly cuts between different locations and characters without giving the audience a chance to fully invest in any of them. Action scenes are dropped in almost mechanically to break up the monotony, but they often feel disjointed from the larger story.

One of the most frustrating pacing problems lies in the climax. What should have been an epic and emotionally charged conclusion feels rushed and underwhelming. There’s little build-up to the final confrontation, and the resolution feels unearned, leaving viewers with a sense of anticlimax.

Impressive Action, but No Heart

If there’s one area where Brave New World succeeds, it’s the action. The fight scenes are choreographed with flair, and the use of Sam’s wings in combat is particularly creative. A mid-movie aerial battle over a city skyline is visually stunning and brings some excitement to an otherwise dull story. However, while the action captures the eye, it doesn’t engage the heart. Without meaningful stakes or emotional investment, even the most visually impressive scenes feel hollow.

Overuse of the Marvel Formula

More than anything, Brave New World suffers from being formulaic. The movie feels like it’s checking boxes rather than telling a unique story. It’s crammed with half-hearted callbacks, awkward comedic moments that land with a thud, and sequel setup scenes that detract from the main narrative. Instead of focusing on creating a compelling standalone film, it’s clear the movie prioritizes laying groundwork for future installments, to its own detriment.

Last Word

Captain America: Brave New World had the potential to tell a powerful and timely story, but it squanders its opportunities with a bland plot, lack of emotional depth, and an over-reliance on tired Marvel tropes. It’s not irredeemable—the action is fun, and Anthony Mackie does his best with what he’s given—but the movie fails to live up to the legacy of its predecessors. Fans deserved a more thoughtful and impactful debut for Sam Wilson’s Captain America. Instead, we got a forgettable entry in an increasingly crowded, messy franchise.

Verdict: 4/10