The Captain America banner has always been equated with resilience, leadership, and compelling stories. Unfortunately, even though Brave New World had all the ingredients to be a good addition to the franchise, I have a feeling it will fail to deliver the impact that fans are hoping for.

On the positive side, Harrison Ford enters the MCU as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, and while his presence brings a certain gravitas, the film doesn’t really utilize him in a meaningful way. He’s a great get on paper, but his inclusion feels more like setup for things to come rather than a vital component of this movie. Anthony Mackie, meanwhile, is as charming as ever. He does deliver an earnest effort in Sam Wilson’s transition as the new Captain America, and you can feel his commitment to the role. 

The action sequences are a highlight, delivering some well-choreographed fight scenes and a few surprising twists and turns along the way. Fans of practical stunt work and grounded fighting will find moments to love, though sometimes the stakes do not feel particularly high. The film lacks the same emotional resonance and heft that the other Captain America films have had, so some of the clashes do not feel as immediate or critical.

Perhaps the biggest issue is the overall trajectory of the MCU. Despite Marvel hinting that they are trying to get out of multiverse fatigue, Brave New World still bears the burden of setting up future stories, namely Secret Wars. Instead of feeling like its own self-contained story, the movie too often falls into being a stepping stone for something bigger, which takes away from the enjoyment of the film as a singular experience in and of itself.

And then there’s the post-credit scene, which, bluntly, is underwhelming. Marvel’s had some show-stopping teases in the past, but this on only confirms details that fans already know, rather than setting up something actually interesting for the future.

Overall, Captain America: Brave New World isn’t a bad film—it has some solid performances, thrilling action, and some funny moments. It just lacks the depth, sense of urgency, and emotional resonance that made the other Captain America films so great. It’s an enjoyable watch, but not one that will have any lasting impact.