'CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD' ADVANCE BOOKINGS OPEN… IN CINEMAS *THIS FRIDAY*… Advance bookings are now open for #MarvelStudios' highly anticipated action spectacle #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld.
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) February 10, 2025
Tremendous excitement for #CapAm vs #RedHulk showdown… Arrives in… pic.twitter.com/h2rLLwv242
Anthony Mackie stars as Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, in the latest Marvel film “Captain America: Brave New World.” The movie premiered in Hollywood on Tuesday night, and early reactions from critics and fans are mixed but mostly positive. Many praised Mackie’s performance as Captain America. Chris Gallardo said Mackie “rightfully earned the role” and “puts it all in as Sam Wilson.” Scott Menzel called the film “a game-changer for Phase 5 of the MCU” and said “Mackie shines as the new Captain America.”
Harrison Ford joins the cast as President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, who transforms into the Red Hulk.
#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld both met & exceeded my low expectations.
— Sean Chandler (@kirkneverdied) February 12, 2025
You can feel the reshoots throughout the film & the main villain was a big miss.
But this is the most cohesive the MCU has felt since 2019. Sam has good chemistry w/ his partners & it can deliver the feels. pic.twitter.com/VPUsNxuXeT
#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld is a lot of things: some good, some okay. It’s exciting, offers a worthwhile message in a divisive time, is a return to form for the mainline MCU after a string of disappointments, and is one of the first to progress the MCU story itself post-Endgame. pic.twitter.com/vHKlc9scAa
— Ben Kendrick (@benkendrick) February 12, 2025
Josh Weiss said “Ford’s portrayal of Thaddeus Ross and Red Hulk is exceptional.” Jake Peffer noted that “Harrison Ford is a welcome addition.”
The plot follows Sam Wilson working with President Ross to investigate a conspiracy tied to an assassination attempt and a global battle for adamantium. Danny Ramirez plays the new Falcon, Giancarlo Esposito is the villain Sidewinder, and Shira Haas portrays a U.S. government agent.
captain America: mixed critical reception
Some critics felt the movie didn’t quite hit the mark. Cris Parker said it “didn’t quite hit the emotional or narrative highs I was hoping for” and “felt slightly empty.” John Flickinger called it “clunky and anticlimactic” and said the “screenplay gives the characters little to do.”
Others were more positive. Herb Scribner described it as an “absolute blast” and said it “felt like an MCU movie where other projects matter again.” Ben Kendrick said it “is exciting, offers a worthwhile message in a divisive time, and is a return to form for the mainline MCU.”
Mackie himself said the transition to playing Captain America was comfortable, noting “Sam Wilson is already a connected, created character.
There was only a costume change.” He praised director Julius Onah’s vision for expanding the character’s aerial combat abilities with the wings and suit. “Captain America: Brave New World” opens in theaters on February 14. While not everyone agrees it’s a home run, most seem to find it an entertaining and worthy addition to the MCU, carried by strong performances from Mackie and Ford.