Captain America: Brave New World has landed in Hollywood, and the social media reactions are arriving as fast as a super soldier running laps around the Washington Monument.
Anthony Mackie stars in Brave New World, which arrives more than a decade after the actor made his Marvel debut in Captain America: The Winter Soldier as Sam Wilson/The Falcon. The new film follows the hero as he dons the mantle of Captain America, following Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) handing him the shield in Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Social media reactions from the premiere and press screenings arrived Tuesday night ahead of formal reviews Wednesday.
Brave New World, first announced in April 2021, has long been awaited. At one point, it was going to open in July 2024, but it became one of many titles pushed back amid the writers and actors strikes.
The film from director Luce filmmaker Julius Onah and also stars Harrison Ford General Ross, the role previously played in the MCU by the late William Hurt. It’s no spoiler to say that Sam Wilson won’t like Ross when he’s angry — as he transforms into the Red Hulk. Mackie officially becme Captain America in Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which also introduced Danny Ramirez as his ally Joaquín Torres, who in the movie becomes The Falcon. Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson and Giancarlo Esposito also star.
Brave New World arrived in theaters on Friday. Read on for a sampling of the early reactions.
Captain America: Brave New World is a game-changer for Phase 5 of the MCU. Mackie soars past the role of Falcon cementing himself as the new Captain America. Ford puts his signature grunting and crankiness to great use as Thaddeus Ross and Red Hulk. Brave New World is like Falcon… pic.twitter.com/4YxPScKvfF
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) February 12, 2025
#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld finds the MCU back in fine form with a Winter Soldier-y thriller redolent of Manchurian Candidate & Parallax View. Mackie’s future as the new Cap shines incredibly bright! Bonus: you get to hear Harrison Ford say “Adamantium.” pic.twitter.com/grIM4x6N2k
— Josh Weiss (@JoshuaHWeiss) February 12, 2025
CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD seems to only exist to wrap up loose ends to The Incredible Hulk and Eternals. And in doing so the plot is about as convoluted and dull as that all sounds. This should have been called Captain America: Loose Ends #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) February 12, 2025
#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld is a strong testament to why Sam Wilson was the right choice to carry the shield. Mackie delivers his best performance yet, the action is entertaining, & the story remains engaging. There are a few flaws that hold this back from being GREAT though pic.twitter.com/9H3ASzaDxH
— Zach Pope (@popetheking) February 12, 2025
I only saw 30 minutes of #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld so here are some thoughts:
Absolute blast. All-in on the story. It just checked so many boxes for me.
Felt like an MCU movie where other projects actually matter again. Lots of cohesion.
Mackie rocks, Ford is great. pic.twitter.com/pl6828092T
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) February 12, 2025
Saw 30 minutes of #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld two weeks ago and for the most part, I think I'm on board? Not fully sold on the Sam Wilson-Joaquín Torres dynamic yet in the same way Sam and Bucky worked but I think there's definitely potential there. Harrison Ford is phenomenal… pic.twitter.com/uRw4OTYXlv
— BSL (@bigscreenleaks) February 12, 2025
#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld is clunky, anticlimactic, and about as exciting as a rerun. The screenplay gives the characters little to do, the action feels like it’s just checking a box, and Red Hulk? Don’t bother getting hyped. As the 35th film in the MCU, it plays things way… pic.twitter.com/X7iKsvT4ZD
— John Flickinger (@theFLICKpick) February 12, 2025
I enjoyed #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld a lot. Anthony Mackie is a great Cap. Really enjoyed the action sequences which takes the character to new heights, literally. Did like the Leader, but felt he wasn’t really used enough. Red Hulk kicked ass too! pic.twitter.com/uUgkN5HOqU
— B E A N Z The Gamer Dad(beanzgotgamez.bsky.social) (@BeanzGotGamez) February 12, 2025
#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld proves Anthony Mackie has RIGHTFULLY EARNED the role of Captain America. He puts it all in as Sam Wilson and his chemistry with Danny Ramirez is great! Harrison Ford as President Ross/Red Hulk is charming and the action really rocks when it happens. pic.twitter.com/ktwngfnII6
— Chris Gallardo 🌊 (@chrisagwrites) February 12, 2025
#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld made me feel like I was watching the MCU again—and that’s a good thing. Gritty, intense, and packed with Winter Soldier vibes. It’s not without its flaws—feels a bit disjointed at times—but Anthony Mackie owns the shield, and Red Hulk is a beast.… pic.twitter.com/jyzeKRVa4Z
— Jones Vibes (@jonesvibesonly) February 12, 2025
#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld IMAX: subpar story from 5 writers but comic book movie fans get plenty of action and stunts. Anthony Mackie commands the screen with leading man charm as #CaptainAmerica . 2025's first 4,000+ thtr opening will pump up #boxoffice volume.
— Gitesh Pandya (TikTok @gitesh.pandya) (@GiteshPandya) February 12, 2025
After seeing #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld I now can see Anthony Mackies Captain America being the leader of the avengers but this is one of the most average and safe Marvel movies I have seen. Red Hulk is dope for the 5 minutes he’s in the movie.
The dialogue is as subtle as a… pic.twitter.com/PMuEF9BHqB
— movietalkwithbrock (@movietalkwithb) February 12, 2025
#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
I thoroughly enjoyed #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld It's nice to see a more straightforward story from the MCU. Anthony Mackie gives his best performance thus far and Harrison Ford is a welcome addition. The action sequences are entertaining but have some spotty CGI at times. pic.twitter.com/MdU4ZWXMRd
— Jake Peffer (@J_Peffer) February 12, 2025
#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld is … fine
The final battle rocks. Mackie proves he can carry a film. Harrison Ford is Harrison Ford
The story feels disjointed-several intriguing ideas emerge but fail to build in a satisfying fashion
The film relies HEAVILY on unlikely MCU film pic.twitter.com/0eAb78Vi5K
— Christian Toto (@HollywoodInToto) February 12, 2025
CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD is an incredible surprise! It ROCKS. The story is grounded, focused, and has genuine emotional stakes/solid action. Mackie proves he’s THE guy & Ford over-delivers! The spirit of Cap thrives in this film. Believe me when I say, the MCU is back! pic.twitter.com/5m3TBgtDZY
— Nikko (@NikkoCaruso) February 12, 2025
Captain America: Brave New World is a THRILL RIDE from start to finish! Anthony Mackie solidifies himself as Cap, delivering action, heart, and heroism like never before.
Brave New World is gritty, intense, and packed with Top Gun-esque action. And Harrison Ford as President… pic.twitter.com/s2MkVKuNs8
— Sean Tajipour (@Seantaj) February 12, 2025
