Deadpool & Wolverine was Marvel’s sole movie for 2024, but the studio’s got a larger output in 2025. First up is Captain America: Brave New World, the first movie for Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson after he took the mantle in 2021’s The Falcon & Winter Soldier.
If things have been weird for Marvel post-Avengers: Endgame, Brave New World is in its own special category. Pre-release, the movie was hit with a comically bad streak of luck like production delays during the Hollywood strikes, negative test screenings leading to multiple reshoots (which have been repeatedly downplayed), and supporting characters like Sabra being tweaked or wholly excised from the movie. Add in the real-world context of the current United States administration and an increasing hostility toward anything potentially critical of the country, and despite some pretty good trailers it seemed like this movie would be a mess and all over the place. And after all this time, it turned out to be….a mess and all over the place.
Reviews and impressions for Brave New World haven’t been kind. While there’s been praise toward Mackie and Harrison Ford’s performances and some of the action scenes, the film’s story and whatever it’s trying to say (or not say) have gotten the harshest criticism. The fraught production makes itself known for many, but for others, this is another good Captain America movie that does enough to be a decent kick off Marvel’s 2025 slate. Marvel’s no stranger to divisive anything lately, but this one’s probably going to be debated about for a while as people try to figure out what this almost was and became what’s in theaters playing now.
Loved Brave New World, hated it? Wish there was more Red Hulk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Trending Products
![cimetech EasyTyping KF10 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo, [Silent Scissor Switch Keys][Labor-Saving Keys]Ultra Slim Wireless Computer Keyboard and Mouse, Easy Setup for PC/Laptop/Mac/Windows – Grey](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/415Vb6gl+PL._SS300_.jpg)
cimetech EasyTyping KF10 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo, [Silent Scissor Switch Keys][Labor-Saving Keys]Ultra Slim Wireless Computer Keyboard and Mouse, Easy Setup for PC/Laptop/Mac/Windows – Grey

AOC 22B2HM2 22″ Full HD (1920 x 1080) 100Hz LED Monitor, Adaptive Sync, VGA x1, HDMI x1, Flicker-Free, Low Blue Light, HDR Ready, VESA, Tilt Adjust, Earphone Out, Eco-Friendly

Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Ultra Slim Combo, TopMate 2.4G Silent Compact USB 2400DPI Mouse and Scissor Switch Keyboard Set with Cover, 2 AA and 2 AAA Batteries, for PC/Laptop/Windows/Mac – White

HP 2024 Laptop | 15.6″ FHD (1920×1080) Display | Core i3-1215U 6-Core Processor | 32GB RAM, 1.5TB SSD(1TB PCIe & P500 500GB External SSD) | Fingerprint Reader | Windows 11 Pro

Thermaltake View 200 TG ARGB Motherboard Sync ATX Tempered Glass Mid Tower Computer Case with 3x120mm Front ARGB Fan, CA-1X3-00M1WN-00

SAMSUNG FT45 Sequence 24-Inch FHD 1080p Laptop Monitor, 75Hz, IPS Panel, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB Hub, Peak Adjustable Stand, 3 Yr WRNTY (LF24T454FQNXGO),Black

Dell Inspiron 15 3520 15.6″ FHD Laptop, 16GB RAM,1TB SSD, Intel Core i3-1215U Processor(Beat i5-1135G7), SD Card Reader, WiFi, Bluetooth, Webcam, Win 11 Home, Alpacatec Accessories, Carbon Black
![Dell Inspiron 15 3000 3520 Business Laptop Computer[Windows 11 Pro], 15.6” FHD Touchscreen, 11th Gen Intel Quad-Core i5-1135G7, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi, Webcam, HDMI, Black](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51O3nNfyJPL._SS300_.jpg)