In what marks another setback for Marvel Studios' struggling cinematic universe, "Captain America: Brave New World" delivers a lackluster entry that fails to recapture the magic of earlier films, finding its sole bright spot in the commanding presence of Israeli actress Shira Haas.
While "Brave New World" may not be quite as dismal and lifeless as "The Marvels," there's nothing remotely "brave" or "new" about it. Its yawn-inducing dilemmas merely recycle issues already addressed in the Falcon streaming series (and in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"), its scale feels entirely televisual, its humor never lands, and it lacks any semblance of drive, imagination, or charisma.
The numerous script and production changes made during and after filming are palpably evident. At times, different sections of "Brave New World" appear held together with scotch tape, its political elements have been sanitized and stripped of any potentially controversial content (becoming excessively conciliatory and pandering), and its sole major reveal – meant to shock audiences in the third act – has already been thoroughly exposed in every trailer and promotional poster (seemingly highlighting Marvel's lack of confidence in their own product).
Has Marvel forgotten how to make good films? Is the MCU's story finished? Unfortunately, based on this latest chapter in the saga, which aims to launch a new storyline continuing into future films, the answer leans more toward "yes" than "no." "Brave New World" fails both as a standalone film and as groundwork for what's to come, with none of the light, charming magic that once characterized Marvel's work.
At its core, this is a paranoia thriller echoing "The Winter Soldier." However, the execution falls short across all departments and feels like a significant downgrade compared to previous Captain America films.
Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), having inherited the mantle of Captain America, grapples with both the symbolic weight of the shield and the practical challenges of national security in a post-Blip world. The narrative centers on a conspiracy reaching into the highest levels of government, with President-elect Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) requesting Wilson's help in reassembling the Avengers amid growing global tensions.
Moments later, Wilson's old friend Isaiah (unfamiliar to viewers who haven't watched "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier") attempts to assassinate the president, though he appears to be controlled remotely by an unseen force in a scenario reminiscent of "The Manchurian Candidate."
This sets Wilson and his dry-witted sidekick Joaquin (Danny Ramirez) on an investigation to uncover who's targeting the president and who framed Isaiah. Meanwhile, Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas), a secret agent with Israeli roots, conducts her own parallel investigation. Predictably, these two investigative threads soon intersect, leading to broader revelations about the conspiracy at hand.
Director Julius Onah struggles to maintain coherence across the film's disparate elements, resulting in a product that often feels more like an extended television episode than a theatrical release. The action sequences, while competently staged, fail to achieve the kinetic energy and visual innovation that Marvel fans have come to expect.
The true revelation comes in the form of Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph (whose casting, notably, sparked protests from pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel audiences), whose limited screen time provides the film's most compelling moments. Haas brings a fierce intensity and magnetic presence to her role, elevating every scene she appears in. Her performance is particularly notable in her scenes with Harrison Ford and Anthony Mackie, where she demonstrates remarkable screen presence, holding her own against these established Hollywood stars.
Though Haas appears on screen for only a few cumulative minutes, her scenes represent the finest moments in "Brave New World." One can only hope she'll be cast in the next film as well. Haters can hate.
