Director: Julius Onah
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford and Tim Blake Nelson
‘A Captivating Blockbuster’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as strong as Anthony Mackie. Following his rise to recognition amid the 1990’s, Mackie has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s brave captains, terrorist leaders or troubled soldiers, Mackie has depicted many strong characters. Arguably, Mackie’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has often poured his heart and soul into every role. Although he is arguably best known for his role as Falcon in the MCU, Mackie has proven that he can make engaging movies in nearly every genre audiences value. An actor with a strong commitment to his craft, Mackie has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Throughout his enduring career, Mackie has made many great movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
Now, Mackie is back on the big-screen and his strengths as a world-famous actor are clearly evident in his movie “Captain America: Brave New World”. Released in 2025, Julius Onah’s film offered a bold tribute to Captain America and his legacy. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a satisfying comic-book movie. At centre of if all is an incredible performance by Anthony Mackie, who portrays a soldier embarking on a tense journey. Although “Brave New World” is an engaging comic book blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. It’s poorly paced, lacking strong villains with strong motivations. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment which would definitely satisfy fans of the iconic comic-book character.
Following the events of “Avengers: Endgame”, “Captain America: Brave New World” follows a soldier embarking on a journey in a new world. Anthony Mackie portrays Sam Wilson, a brave captain with strong dedication to rescuing the world from destruction. Assisted by the newly appointed American president Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), Sam has always excelled at preventing destructions. However, Sam’s life drastically changes when his world suddenly comes under the threat of a new order. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Sam is forced to wonder whether it is truly possible for him to overcome disaster. Faced with tense dilemma, Sam is forced to question whether it is truly possible for him to maintain his identity as Captain America.
Julius Onah is a newcomer toward Captain America. Before he had directed “Captain America: Brave New World”, Onah had never made a comic-book movie before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to honour an iconic comic-book hero’s legacy but he pulled it off successfully. Using stunning cinematography, Onah captures a hero embarking on journey into a new world causing adversity. Evoking the Russo Brothers’ “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”, Onah expertly uses handheld camera to capture comic-book heroes under pressure. For instance, the handheld visuals enhance the meeting scene. During this tense scene, Sam has his first ever meeting with the newly elected president Thaddeus Ross. Using handheld camera, Onah honours the legacy of Captain America. Handheld camera is a Triet technique to use in movies. As Curtis Hanson’s “8 Mile” suggested, handheld camera elevates biopics about iconic musicians. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through stunning visuals, Onah captures tensions that superheroes are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Captain America: Brave New World” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is the extremely well made. Onah effectively uses production design to capture the lives of heroes that shine. Throughout the movie, Sam Wilson’s costumes showcase his transformations into a comic-book hero. For instance, the costumes enhance the teamwork scene. During this intense scene, Sam has a tense confrontation with the Red Hulk in fights causing tension. Through stunning costumes, Onah creates superheroes which prove to be compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Laura Karpman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden which superheroes bear. Through strong production, Onah captures the lives of superheroes facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Captain America: Brave New World” is a film about heroes that’s compelling. The movie is extremely well-written, and effectively employs flashbacks to capture tension superheroes are facing. The film deftly switches back and forth between two timelines: intense flashbacks of Sam’s past as a winter soldier and present day scenes of his life as Captain America. Through captivating flashbacks, Onah creates a comic book hero that audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in film. As Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” proved clearly, flashbacks enhance war films. George Tillman Jr.‘s “The Hate U Give” suggested that flashbacks elevate racism films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a bold screenplay, Onah captures brave captains that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Anthony Mackie delivers one of his best career performances as Sam Wilson. Mackie earned praise fodder playing rappers in music movies. With “Captain America: Brave New World”, the actor took on his most complex role. It is tricky to play a legendary comic-book superhero but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Mackie has often excelled playing emotional heroes in pressure, and “Brave New World” showcased his greatest strengths as an actor. With bold expressions, he captures angst, desperation and heroism of a captain on missions. It’s an exceptional performance from one of the best actors today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Anthony Mackie, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Harrison Ford is fantastic, capturing the personality of a hulk that’s adored. Danny Ramirez is dazzling, bringing authority to an army commander that seeks to save the world from nuclear tragedy. Lastly, Tim Blake Nelson deserves recognition. As a heroic captain, he brings emotion towards the movie.
Although “Captain America: Brave New World” is a captivating comic-book blockbuster, it is not a flawless film. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Onah’s decision to integrate political subplots into the film about presidents is bold but doesn’t quite succeed. Due to this faulty decision, scenes capturing Thaddeus Ross’ political inspection aren’t as engaging as Captain America’s bold mission. Moreover, the movie lacks compelling villains. For instance, we’re barely given strong reasons to care for the Red Hull beyond facts that he seeks world domination. Comic book movies thrive based on quality of villains, and in this regard “Brave New World” falls short of expectations.
Nevertheless, fans of Anthony Mackie would enjoy “Captain America: Brave New World” and so would movie-goers seeking engaging entertainment. A captivating comic-book blockbuster, it honours an iconic actor.
A captivating tribute towards Captain America, it’s a compelling reminder about a commemorated actor that has thrived at making unforgettable movies in the comic-book genre which always attract audiences towards the Cinema.
3.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 