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Captain America: Brave New World recently landed in theaters, and fan reactions have been rather positive. The film’s Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes might be at 50% with critics, but its Popcornmeter currently sits much higher at 80%, which is arguably a better reflection of the film’s allure. Following the conclusion of the Disney+ series, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) has officially taken on the role of Captain America. Alongside his pal, Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), who has taken on the mantle of the Falcon, Sam soon finds himself in the middle of a developing international crisis.
After an assassination attempt on recently elected President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) disrupts a proposed treaty over the minerals on Celestial Island, chaos understandably ensues. To make matters worse, Sam’s friend, Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), was the one who pulled the trigger. However, much like Bucky (Sebastian Stan) in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Isaiah wasn’t in control of his actions at the time, nor was he even aware of what was happening. With the element of mind control at the center of the film, Captain America: Brave New World finally brought back the same type of political thriller vibes The Winter Soldier had 11 years ago.
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Has Similar Political Themes as ‘The Winter Soldier’
Captain America: Brave New World
3.5
/5
Release Date
February 14, 2025
Director
Julius Onah
Franchise(s)
Captain America, Marvel Cinematic Universe
While Captain America: Brave New World certainly has all the elements of an MCU film, it also has more serious political themes, just like Captain America: The Winter Soldier. There have always been political issues present in various MCU movies, especially when the Avengers are involved. However, the latest Captain America installment uses those themes much more overtly and has them deeply woven into the film’s narrative. Whenever the president and his executive decisions are involved, there are going to be political repercussions, and Brave New World showcases that. With a puppet master pulling all the proverbial strings while using mind control as a weapon to achieve a certain end, the political thriller vibes are obvious.
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Much like Bucky’s storyline 11 years ago, Isaiah is a Manchurian candidate of sorts, and Captain America must get to the bottom of it if he hopes to prevent a devastating international crisis. The political parallels of each film are undeniable, and those overtones are unlike any others in the MCU. In many ways, Brave New World feels more like a Tom Clancy or John Grisham adaptation than an MCU installment. That isn’t to say it doesn’t belong in the MCU. Red Hulk makes an appearance, after all, and there are plenty of other superheroes to go around. However, the film’s more serious approach feels grounded in a political reality viewers know all too well.
Brave New World is a political thriller that just so happens to be set within the MCU. While it might not reach the same heights as The Winter Soldier, it certainly makes a valiant effort to do so. Unlike the majority of films in the MCU, otherworldly villains such as Loki (Tom Hiddleston) or Thanos (Josh Brolin) aren’t the ones threatening the security of the world. Instead, the villain is ultimately born out of the concerted political choices of the past and is now seeking retribution for those decisions, no matter the cost.
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Finally Addresses the Celestial Situation
Ever since 2021’s Eternals left Earth 616 with a massive celestial poking out of the Indian Ocean after the Emergence was prevented, the MCU has never once addressed the situation. Brave New World finally changed that. Now known as Celestial Island, it actually plays a massive role in the film’s plot and its political thriller vibes. Given the location and its resources, the “island” becomes a point of contention for the major powers of the world and ultimately lies at the center of the movie’s emerging international crisis.
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Without Celestial Island, Brave New World wouldn’t be the kind of political thriller it is, which serves as an interesting way to finally address the various unanswered questions viewers were left with following the ending of Eternals. Thankfully, how it’s addressed in the latest Captain America installment makes those answers worth the wait. It makes sense that the most powerful countries in the world would all converge on the “island” and want a piece of it for themselves. Given it holds a powerful resource, whoever controls it is likely to control the trajectory of global politics.
As is the case with any MCU film, one way or another, it’s always about power and control. In the case of Brave New World, those themes are simply steeped in politics, just like The Winter Soldier was. The full catalog of MCU television shows and films is now streaming on Disney+, while Captain America: Brave New World is currently playing in theaters.
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