Writer’s note: The second paragraph of this article (just below the first image) contains a basic outline of the film’s premise. There are no spoilers that weren’t already inferred in the film’s own trailer. However, if you want to completely avoid potential spoilers, skip over the second paragraph.
For over 20 years, superhero films have dominated cinema, resulting in legions of passionate fans and just as many naysayers. However, practically all viewers are united in the consensus that the Captain America films are a crowning achievement in the genre. Consisting of Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), and Captain America: Civil War (2016), this trilogy consistently pushed the boundaries of what Marvel Studios could offer, delivering pulse pounding action, complex drama and political commentary. Not only that, but the series was the greatest example of how a cinematic universe could enhance storytelling. Thus, the fourth film in the series, Captain America: Brave New World (2025), comes with plenty of pressure and high expectations.
In the wake of Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) retirement, his long time friend Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) has taken up the mantle of Captain America. Wilson has been in the position for a few years now, along with his own right hand man, Joaquín Torres (Danny Ramirez), the new Falcon. At the same time, Secretary Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross (Harrison Ford) has been elected as the new President of the United States, rallying support from a platform which played on people’s fear of recent supernatural and meta-human threats. Despite Ross and Wilson previously being on opposite ends of the meta-human debate, Ross wants Wilson to reform a new team of Avengers to protect the people in these uncertain times. There’s little time to think about this, as Wilson’s friend and mentor Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) attempts to assassinate President Ross. Wilson is convinced that Bradley was not in control of his own actions, and begins an investigation to uncover who or what is behind this conspiracy. Things become complicated, as this unknown terrorist threatens to pull the United States into war with its allies, as well as revealing some of President Ross’ darkest secrets.
As befits Captain America, the general plot outline of Brave New World sounds like an appropriately paranoiac espionage thriller. The key to a Captain America film’s success is to have the hero be the only uncomplicated element in an otherwise complicated world. While governments, mercenaries, terrorists and people are all marred by moral shades of grey, Captain America himself traverses these complexities by always holding true to what is objectively right and good. This is what makes Captain America an inspiring and compelling figure. While Anthony Mackie does excellent work as the incredibly likeable Sam Wilson (a more human incarnation of the classic hero) there does seem to be a nagging sense that the main core of his arc has been completely removed from the film. As things unfold, it doesn’t feel as though these events have any bearing on Wilson’s growth. He’s really only involved because he’s Captain America, and he’s paid to be there. Once the main villain confronts Wilson, there’s no reason why the pair should have any personal stake in each other’s defeat.
This lack of engagement from the main character arc is a product of incredibly obvious reshoots, which can easily be spotted even if the viewer isn’t aware of them before sitting down to watch the film. Yes, every big budget blockbuster goes through multiple edits, reshoots and test screenings, but Captain America: Brave New World is the clearest example of a film being ruined by these corporate mandates. Throughout the two hour run time, there are plenty of scenes which give hints as to what the original plan for this film was, offering a far more complex, thrilling and ‘brave’ story than what we are ultimately given. It seems that nearly every time Captain America: Brave New World came close to achieving something unique, topical or exciting, the studio panicked, didn’t want to take the risk, and opted to retool the film into something more standard.
The extensive reshoots have not only harmed the storytelling, but the production quality as well. For the majority of the first and second acts, the action sequences are poorly staged, and conceived with seemingly little effort. Even Marvel Studios’ own television productions on Disney Plus have more verve and creativity than most of what we see here. Once again, it’s clear that these cheaply produced sequences are a result of the reshoots. It is clear that these scenes where originally stronger, as they have ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ moments which deliver the desired cinematic grandeur. Whatever was originally shot was where the money went, meaning the budget was lacking by the time they had to film new content. Things greatly improve by the time we enter the third act, with most of those sequences being the main set pieces the film is built towards. However, there are still some fairly lacklustre green screen effects which are hard to ignore.
Even though Captain America: Brave New World was ruined by its reshoots more than any other film in recent memory, this isn’t to say it’s worse than other films ruined by reshoots. Brave New World is still leagues ahead of things like Suicide Squad (2016) or Fant4stic (2015). Unlike those two travesties, Brave New World is still an entertaining, harmless and enjoyable romp which passes the time completely painlessly. That being said, it is still a more mangled result than Suicide Squad or Fant4stic, as those two films were ruined long before a single reshoot was completed. In their cases, the studio took poor films, reshot them, and delivered poor films. With Brave New World, the studio took what could’ve been a great film, reshot it, and delivered an average film. Thus, while the final result is still stronger, the disappointment is actually greater.
If anything, Captain America: Brave New World should be a teachable moment for Marvel Studios. Yes, the studio likely worried that the film’s plot would be politically divisive (especially on the heels of a fraught election year), so they worked hard to make the film have a broader, more generalised appeal. Despite the effort, the result is a toothless, uninspired and fairly rote superhero film (a far cry from its three predecessors). Sanding down the storyline’s edge may have prevented people from hating it, but it also prevented people from loving it.
4.5/10
Best way to watch it: Three edits ago.
