‘Captain America’ Series Hits New Low on Rotten Tomatoes

The new Captain America movie might feature a Brave New World, but it’s a rotten one as well.

Critics’ reviews for the most recent Marvel movie, as found on Rotten Tomatoes, have generally been rather harsh. At present, the movie titled “Brave New World” holds a collective rating of 53 out of 100, based on 108 individual critiques from film experts.

Among the 35+ films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Brave New World” is only the third one to receive less than favorable reviews, with the other two being “Eternals” from 2021 and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” released in 2023.

Put simply, all the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films rated “rotten” on Rotten Tomatoes have been released over the past four years. This suggests that Marvel Studios may be experiencing a creative slump, at least in terms of critical reception. (From 2008 when the MCU was first created until late 2021, every movie produced by Marvel Studios had a “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.)

On Rotten Tomatoes, any movie with an average score below 60 is deemed “rotten.”

Previously, the Captain America movie series, including The First Avenger, The Winter Soldier, and Civil War, had received Rotten Tomatoes scores of 80, 90, and 90 each. This indicates that the upcoming film, Brave New World, is the lowest-rated installment in this long-running franchise so far. In this movie, Anthony Mackie takes on the role of Captain America in the MCU for the first time, as Chris Evans has stepped down from the part after 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.

Here is how Brave New World stacks up with the other lowest-rated MCU movies to date:

Before “Brave New World” hits theaters officially, you might see some changes in its Rotten Tomatoes score as more reviews come in over the weekend. Typically, big-screen releases garner their best scores from early, critical reviews, while later ones from a broader range of film critics can be less favorable and enthusiastic. For instance, “Eternals” initially had a Rotten Tomatoes score of 63, which was quite low for the MCU at the time, but as more negative reviews came out, that number dropped into the 40s.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the score for Brave New World can climb higher. There’s always a chance it could slip even lower, potentially setting a new low for Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films on Rotten Tomatoes. For now, the record for lowest-rated TV show, held by Inhumans with a 11%, seems to be secure.

Captain America: Brave New World premieres in theaters this weekend.

The Best Marvel Movies Not Made By Marvel Studios

15. Deadpool 2 (2018)

In the sequel of “Deadpool”, Ryan Reynolds’ character, Wade Wilson, delivered an unexpectedly heartfelt narrative. Josh Brolin, as Cable, was flawlessly cast, providing the perfect quiet contrast to Deadpool’s non-stop chatter. The introduction of X-Force is one of the funniest sustained jokes in this collection, and I recommend sticking with the original R-rated version for the best impact; the PG-13 edition offers a different kind of humor instead.

14. Captain America (1944)

For approximately 40 years, Captain America was the sole Marvel Comics character to appear on the big screen, with his debut being a series in 1944 that wasn’t actually featuring Steve Rogers as Captain America, but rather Grant Gardner, a district attorney fighting crime. This version of Captain America lacked the iconic backstory involving the Super-Soldier Serum and didn’t wield an indestructible shield. Instead, he fought against “The Scarab,” a typical 1940s villain seeking high-tech devices known as MacGuffins. The first of these was a “thermodynamic vibration engine” capable of causing skyscrapers to collapse – although the characters referred to it repeatedly as a “vibrator.” This, we understand, could cause a building’s destruction if not deactivated. (For more information, see here.)

13. Spider-Man 3 (2007)

The final Spider-Man film directed by Sam Raimi has often been unjustly criticized, even by Raimi himself who stated that it didn’t function well. While it’s true that not everything about it shines, there are numerous aspects that do, such as some of the strongest action sequences from the Maguire trilogy, like the thrilling mid-air rescue of Gwen Stacy from a construction accident. The primary issue for many viewers is the portrayal of Venom, particularly Raimi’s treatment of the black suit as an extended joke; in one memorable scene, a “villainous” Peter under the influence of his alien costume is seen dancing through the streets of New York. It’s undeniable that these moments were out of sync with the trend toward dark and gritty superheroes prevalent in many movies during that time. However, when you regard Spider-Man 3 as Raimi using Venom to deliberately parody the concept of a “dark” comic book movie, the overall experience becomes more coherent.

12. X-Men (2000)

Indeed, the reference to toads and lightning feels quite ominous. The antiquated black leather attire makes the movie seem rather old-fashioned. Hugh Jackman appeared less muscular in this installment compared to his later portrayals of Wolverine; here, he seems almost diminutive. Yet, the initial X-Men film played a significant role in igniting the superhero movie craze during the 2000s. It skillfully captured the characters and translated them onto the screen with an astute editor’s touch, eliminating unnecessary elements and focusing on the fundamental aspects that would strike a chord with a wide audience. Interestingly, Hugh Jackman, who rose to international stardom as Wolverine, nearly missed his chance at fame. He was the filmmakers’ second choice, and only obtained the role after the original Wolverine, Dougray Scott, had to withdraw from the project due to delays in wrapping up Mission: Impossible II.

11. The Punisher (1989)

In a subterranean hideout reminiscent of the Ninja Turtles’ lair, Frank Castle engages in combat with underwater ninjas, communicates in a way similar to Dolph Lundgren, and clashes with the Yakuza within an antique amusement park. At one point, he destroys a mobster’s residence, prompting a journalist to exclaim “Good heavens, it’s the Punisher!”. To clarify, I find this movie portrayal of the Punisher to be incredibly enjoyable, even if I’m not convinced that it’s the best representation.

10. Big Hero 6 (2014)

In the heart of thrilling sci-fi spectacles, the movie “Big Hero 6” uniquely combines Disney and Marvel elements. The Disney aspects shine brighter than the Marvel ones in this instance, as the narrative becomes engrossed in the complex maneuvers of a villain who steals a teen prodigy’s “microbots” technology. Consequently, the profound themes about grief and loss can get lost amidst the chaos. However, research shows that soft-looking robots are the most appealing, and Baymax (portrayed by Scott Adsit) is the epitome of these adorable machines.

9. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

In a remarkable blend of veteran and contemporary X-Men characters, Hugh Jackman delivers another robust performance as the lead. The latest additions to the team, such as Blink whose powers are innovatively employed, add excitement. A standout moment is Quicksilver (Evan Peters) utilizing his super-speed to rescue Wolverine, Magneto, and Professor X during a fierce battle at the Pentagon. However, the movie somewhat disrupts the continuity of the franchise by rewriting key aspects of First Class, including the off-screen deaths of major characters, the demise of the school, and temporarily curing Xavier’s paralysis.

8. Blade (1998)

Even before many in Hollywood recognized the storytelling prowess of Marvel, Wesley Snipes had already been a believer. “Playing a comic-book character is the best of all worlds because anything goes,” Snipes said humorously during an interview in character as Blade. “You can create a unique voice, appearance, sound, and mannerisms.” Wesley Snipes’ _Blade_ served as the foundational issue for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, paving the way for a connected universe of humans and monsters.

7. X2 (2003)

The film “X2” might be the most defining superhero movie of the century. The initial “X-Men” and “Spider-Man” films demonstrated that movies could capture the enchantment of comics. However, “X2” showed that cinema could exceed them, with spectacular scenes such as Nightcrawler’s White House infiltration, which not only replicated his iconic teleporting ability but made it look more captivating in fluid motion than it ever did as a series of static panels on a page. The dam explosion at the climax is like the breaking of floodgates, marking the start of the Hollywood Superhero Rush in full swing. Nothing was the same after “X2”.

6. Logan (2017)

For the third time, Jackman’s solo Wolverine films hit their mark with “Logan”. This film showcased its title character in all his brutal, sorrowful grandeur for the first time as an R-rated movie. The darker and more intense journey was fitting for the tale of a hero nearing the end of his days. Additionally, the R-rating helped alleviate the congestion often seen in main “X-Men” movies by focusing on only a handful of crucial characters, including a remarkable Patrick Stewart portraying an aging Professor X struggling with mental decay and thus losing control over one of the world’s most potent weapons.

5. Blade II (2002)

In “Blade II,” Wesley Snipes’ athletic portrayal of the stylish vampire slayer Blade was skillfully combined with Guillermo del Toro’s distinctive blend of gothic, horror action to produce something more exhilarating and terrifying than the initial film. Del Toro introduced a new breed of super vampires (ominously created by a pandemic), characterized by their terrifyingly elongated jaws and the ability to drain the blood of both humans and vampires. Only Blade, with his unyielding martial arts prowess, stands a chance against these creatures (vampires, as we’re all familiar, have only four weaknesses: silver, garlic, sunlight, and spin kicks).

4. Spider-Man (2002)

Since it seems like we’re getting a new Spider-Man movie almost annually now, it’s easy to overlook just how remarkable Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man film was. Though the movie may seem slightly outdated today, in 2002, it was revolutionary. It nailed every aspect: The costume design, the action sequences, the visual effects, the poignant death of Uncle Ben, and Peter Parker’s intricate relationships with Norman and Harry Osborn. It transformed the way mainstream viewers perceived superhero films, paving the way for today’s cinematic universes. And let’s not forget, many subsequent superhero movies have mimicked its iconic final shot, where Spider-Man swings through New York City in a single, extended take.

3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Exploring beyond the boundaries of “Into the Spider-Verse”, this upcoming sequel introduces Miles Morales to Spider-Man 2099 and his “Spider Society”, a group dedicated to preserving the multiverse from threats such as the Spot, a new villain capable of opening portals between dimensions. The visual appeal of “Into the Spider-Verse” is surpassed by the even more impressive and daring look of its successor. Notable aspects include the vibrant watercolor-like depiction of Spider-Gwen’s dimension, and the lively portrayal of Spider-Man India originating from the bustling cityscape of “Mumbattan”, a blend of yellows and greens. However, it should be noted that, being the first part of a two-part story, at times it does feel like a setup for the second installment.

2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

As a devoted cinephile, I can tell you that Sam Raimi took the liberty of spreading out the origin story and individual adventures in “Spider-Man 2,” transforming it into a deeply immersive saga about Peter Parker’s tumultuous relationship with the brilliant but flawed scientist, Dr. Otto Octavius (brilliantly portrayed by Alfred Molina). This performance is still regarded as one of the best in the entire Spider-Man series.

Fast forward to more than a decade later, and this movie continues to impress visually, with the train sequence being a standout moment across all Marvel productions. The film’s knack for heaping misery upon Peter Parker, one crisis after another, makes the eventual (yet bittersweet) resolution all the more rewarding.

1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Frequently, quantity doesn’t match quality, but “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” stands as an exceptional example, being both the finest Spider-Man film and the top Marvel movie ever made. This extraordinary production boasts a large ensemble of web-slinging characters, such as Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and Peter B. Parker. Additionally, it showcases perhaps the most emphatic and unapologetic representation of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s moral viewpoint. By transforming their belief that anyone can be a hero into a breathtakingly animated tribute to their noble ideals, this movie becomes the definitive Spider-Man tale.

2025-02-13 00:55