Deadpool & Wolverine was the only Marvel movie released in 2024, but the studio has a more extensive lineup planned for 2025. The first film on the slate is Captain America: Brave New World, which marks Anthony Mackie’s debut as Sam Wilson, a role he took on after the events of The Falcon & Winter Soldier in 2021.

The production of Brave New World has been plagued by a string of unfortunate events, including production delays caused by the Hollywood strikes, negative test screenings that led to multiple reshoots, and changes to supporting characters like Sabra, who was revamped, or completely removed from the film. Additionally, the movie’s release coincides with a tumultuous time in the United States, marked by an increasing hostility towards any content that could be perceived as critical of the country. Given these circumstances, it’s no surprise that the film’s trailers, despite being impressive, hinted at a disjointed and chaotic final product. Unfortunately, this prediction has proven to be accurate.

The reviews and reactions to Brave New World have been largely unfavorable. While Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford’s performances, as well as some of the action sequences, have received praise, the film’s narrative and themes have been heavily criticized. The turbulent production process is evident to many viewers, although some have expressed that, despite its flaws, Brave New World is still a decent Captain America film that adequately kicks off Marvel’s 2025 slate. Marvel is no stranger to polarizing content, but Brave New World is likely to spark debates among fans as they try to make sense of what the film attempted to achieve and what it ultimately became.

Did you enjoy Brave New World or dislike it? Were you hoping for more Red Hulk? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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