Before the dark anti-Avengers and the Fantastic Four conquer the MCU this year, Marvel fans can cheer with Captain America in the cinema this week. Captain America: Brave New World is Sam Wilson’s (Anthony Mackie) screen debut as the new carrier of the vibranium sign and confronts him directly with brutal order killers, political conspiracies and a red hulk.
The first reactions were surprisingly mixed and in fact Captain America 4 is not the big highlight that the MCU needs. Are you still considering whether a visit to the cinema is worthwhile? Then you will find a spoiler -free assessment here Brave New World not the feared full disaster is.
Captain America 4: Does the film work without prior knowledge?
Although we are in the middle of the MCU multiverse saga, alternative realities for Captain America: Brave New World play no role. The film tells a grounded political thriller story without aliens and magicians who can also stand well for themselves. Three MCU projects However, are important for the story: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Eternals and the incredible Hulk.
Look here the trailer for Captain America 4:
Captain America: Brave New World – Trailer (German) HD
Although Brave New World basically a direct thematic sequel to the first Hulk adventure from 2008 (!) And Sam Wilson’s Disney+ debut as the new Captain America, you can do that Watch the film without prior knowledge. The most important thing about past events and returning characters can be explained in the film with plenty of exposure.
Action, tension and a red hulk: Is Captain America 4 worth?
Let’s start with the positive: As a new Captain America, Sam Wilson is surprisingly good – Without strengthened forces through superhero, but with willpower and optimism. It is particularly exciting that Sam is constantly struggling with his hero role and fears that he cannot meet the high expectations of a hero named Captain America. Steve Rogers’ legacy is heavy on his shoulders as he has to find out what he actually stands for.
Even if the title hero is different, fans of the previous Captain America films find many familiar elements. Like The Winter Soldier and Civil War, Brave New World focuses on rough melee action and political issues with far-reaching consequences. The film rushes through its conspiracy history at a high pace, so that the almost two hours of term passes by.
Above all The spy thriller atmosphere driven by Paranoia knows how to please. After an attack on the new US President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), an unknown villain seems to be able to suddenly transform people in killing machines in any moment, creating a lot of tension.
The poster and trailers of the film have already revealed that the president finally turns into a red hulk and put in anger mode half Washington, DC in rubble and ash. These scenes promise plenty of destructive action fun, but the real highlight is its human form: Harrison Ford gives the MCU character of the late actor William Hurt surprisingly emotional facets and inspires with his joy of play as an unexpected star of the film.
Captain America: Brave New World is terrifyingly average
Captain America 4 is certainly not a failure. The film is neither particularly good nor particularly bad. However, Marvel fans will disappoint that Brave New World ultimately lacks the emotional force and the bombast of earlier MCU films. The story is partly unnecessarily complicated, but predictable And as a remix known elements quite stencil when a string puller orchestrates in the background.
The staging is just as sobering. Except for huge action sequences at airy heights above a dead Celestial and in the destroyed Washington, the film mostly looks more like a Disney+ series than a new canvas blockbuster of the MCU. With the exception of unsightly green screen effects during the final fight, on the other hand, there is a surprisingly little complaint on the CGI front.
Captain America 4 gives away too much potential: The strongly played characters Sam Wilson, Thaddeus Ross and the “forgotten Captain America” Isaiiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) form a strong foundation, the sidewinder, such weak and leaking script is decomposed again. And 5 minutes of red hulk rasory against a pretty cherry blossom background are simply too littleto be able to satisfy the expectations of fans.
The return to a serious and grounded Marvel adventure and the waiver of cameo parades are to be welcomed. Anyone who expects important preparatory work for the Avengers 5: Doomsday, which started in 2026, will be disappointed that Captain America 4 adds little new to the larger MCU narrative.
After Deadpool & Wolverine finally produced a must-sea event last year, Brave New World’s average is an unfortunate step backwards. But If you have always wanted to see Captain America on a rocketwill still have fun.
Captain America: Brave New World has been running in German cinemas since February 13, 2025. It is the first of a total of three MCU films that can be seen this year.