Captain America: Brave New World

The movie titled “Captain America: Brave New World” has been given a B- rating by CinemaScore, making it the lowest-rated film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) so far. This ranking places it below even “The Marvels,” as well as the previously criticized films “Eternals” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” As a result, “Brave New World” now holds the title of being the lowest-rated MCU film by audiences thus far.

Market research firm CinemaScore, which gathers feedback from moviegoers on the premiere night, offers an initial gauge of audience enjoyment. Earning a B- grade signals some level of dissatisfaction, placing Brave New World alongside notable superhero flops such as 2003’s Hulk, Dark Phoenix, and Venom: The Last Dance. This is quite a blow for a franchise that had previously enjoyed consistent success, marking a substantial obstacle in its path.

Compared to past Captain America films, the low CinemaScore of the latest movie stands out even more dramatically. For instance, both Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War received an A grade from audiences, while Captain America: The First Avenger got an A-. Even The Incredible Hulk, which some people consider a less successful early Marvel Cinematic Universe entry (though I personally enjoy it!), still managed an A- rating. This significant drop in audience approval suggests increasing weariness towards the MCU’s direction and disappointment with this new chapter.

Oof – so bad… uh oh#CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld

This is the lowest CinemaScore the #MCU has ever gotten.

It’s lower than #TheFlash #MovieMath on Sunday

— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) February 15, 2025

Grace Randolph from Beyond the Trailer, who usually gives positive reviews for Marvel Cinematic Universe films (even praising “Brave New World”), admitted the film’s serious problems by tweeting, “Whoa – this is terrible… watch out #CaptainAmericaBraveNewWorld. This has the worst CinemaScore in the history of the MCU. It even scored lower than #TheFlash.

The rocky process of making “Captain America: Brave New World” has been widely discussed and could have played a role in its less-than-warm response. The movie underwent significant reshoots following poor test screenings, with reports suggesting that 22 extra days were spent reworking crucial scenes and introducing a new antagonist portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito. These late alterations led to a substantial increase in the film’s budget, estimated to be between $350 and $375 million, which added immense stress on its box office earnings.

In addition, Harrison Ford’s performance as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, who transforms into the Red Hulk, brought about production difficulties off-camera. It seems that at 82 years old, Ford was challenging to collaborate with, and according to crew members, he exhibited diva-like behavior, expressing disdain for the motion-capture process necessary for his character. This on-set friction, along with director Julius Onah’s limited experience in managing large-scale productions, resulted in a tumultuous filmmaking atmosphere.

The movie faced political turmoil as well. Initially titled “Captain America: New World Order,” the name stirred controversy due to its link to contentious political matters, leading Disney to switch it to a more neutral title, “Brave New World.” The film’s depiction of Ross as a dominant, authoritarian leader who morphs into the Red Hulk invoked comparisons to Donald Trump, exacerbating an already divided cultural landscape. Even Disney edited a trailer showcasing an assassination attempt on Ross following the real-life attack on Trump, underscoring the movie’s challenges in managing political sensitivities.

During the turmoil, Anthony Mackie’s contentious press tour added fuel to the fire. Mackie, who assumes the role of Captain America in the movie, sparked criticism when he said that Captain America shouldn’t symbolize America. This statement led to a wave of criticism, compelling him to make a swift clarification on social media. However, the damage had already been inflicted. Mackie’s comments, coupled with the film’s production challenges, made it an uphill struggle for “Brave New World” before its premiere.

As “Captain America: Brave New World” persists in its cinema screenings, the B CinemaScore may pose a challenge to its lasting success at the box office. With Marvel Studios currently under some criticism for deteriorating quality and potential viewer exhaustion, this recent hurdle provokes substantial queries regarding the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and its capacity to preserve its previous unwavering supremacy at the box office.

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2025-02-15 20:55