Captain America: Brave New World has set an unwanted record for the franchise after its first reviews.
The new Marvel movie, which is the first solo outing for Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as Captain America, had already drawn mixed early reactions.
Now the full reviews have landed, the movie has hit a score of 52% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 193 reviews at the time of writing, making it the lowest-rated in the Captain America series.
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Ahead of it is 2011's The First Avenger with 80%, while 2014's The Winter Soldier and 2016's Civil War both sit at 90%.
Brave New World is also the third-lowest rated MCU movie behind Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania's 43% and Eternals' 47%.
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However, it's worth noting that the film's score may improve once more reviews come in, though it won't reach The First Avenger's high.
Here's what some of the critics are saying:
Digital Spy
"Ultimately, Captain America: Brave New World will leave you with a feeling of 'been there, seen that'. It's become a victim of the MCU's need to course-correct for the upcoming Avengers movies, robbing us all of seeing Anthony Mackie truly get to strut his stuff in a Captain America movie he deserves."
Screen International
"Captain America: Brave New World benefits from Anthony Mackie’s gritty presence, but otherwise this lacklustre sequel makes one wistful for a seemingly bygone era in which Marvel’s blockbusters felt far more vital."
The Daily Telegraph
"It’s hard to imagine Brave New World rallying the Marvel fanbase, not least because it gives them so little to rally behind. It feels less like a film than something you make when you can’t think of one, but your deadline is looming regardless."
The Hollywood Reporter
"Unfortunately, Captain America: Brave New World proves a lackluster Marvel entry that feels as if its complicated storyline has been painstakingly worked out without a shred of inspiration."
Empire
"Pacy and punchy, this is a promising first official outing for the new Captain America, even if some awkward and inconsistent moments hold it back from greatness."
Captain America: Brave New World opens in cinemas on February 14, 2025. The first three Captain America movies and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier are streaming on Disney+.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
