At 11pm PST on April 8th 2016, Walt Disney and Marvel Studios opted to drop the social media embargo for their upcoming superhero blockbuster, Captain America: Civil War. The film, which is not due to be released for a month, has been set to screen at CinemaCon on April 13th and has apparently already been seen by several members of the press, many of whom began sharing their early impression via social media as soon as the embargo was lifted. Fans have been eagerly awaiting any reactions to the film, which is expected to have major implications for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and many loyal audience members’ favorite heroes.
But if fans were worried about the initial reception to the film itself, it looks like they can rest easy: The first reactions have hit social media, and the news is overwhelmingly positive.
The positive reaction will no doubt come as a relief to fans of the superhero genre, many of who are likely still vicariously smarting from the vicious beating the last major release in the genre, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, took at the hands of critics upon its release two weeks ago. However, given Marvel’s eagerness to show the film early and lift embargoes almost immediately, it can’t be considered too tremendous a surprise that the film is receiving notices like these:
Of note, many of the more elaborated-on reactions have followed a similar pattern, with the most frequent themes emerging early on being a very positive reaction to Tom Holland as the new Spider-Man and high praise for Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther. Many screening attendees opted to compare the film (favorably) to Batman V Superman, and while there are also dissenting opinions, thus far they focus more on specific criticisms than full-on rejections of the film. Full reviews for the film are expected to begin hitting on April 13th.
I lied. One last last thing: this movie plays like a repudiation of BATMAN V SUPERMAN. A devastating reply.— nived (@devincf) April 9, 2016
Captain America: Civil War is a complex mystery posing a big, fun superhero film. Lots of themes and emotions. Very unexpected & VERY good.— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 9, 2016
Just saw @CaptainAmerica Civil War!!! Wow! Spider-Man Rocks! Best Action Sequences in any superhero film EVER! pic.twitter.com/5uTdpYvFw6— Jon Schnepp (@JonSchnepp) April 9, 2016
#CaptainAmericaCivilWar delivers the goods. Endless Avenger v Avenger action. Tense and still funny. Boseman kills it as Black Panther.— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) April 9, 2016
At 8pm, WINTER SOLDIER was my favorite MCU film.Roughly 2.5 hours later, CIVIL WAR is now #1.Action masterpiece. SPIDER-MAN!!!#NerdTears— Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) April 9, 2016
Just saw Captain America Civil War and it’s amazing. The closest thing I’ve seen to a comic book come to life, including the first Avengers— Johnny Brayson (@JohnnyBrayson) April 9, 2016
I’m pretty sure Captain America: Civil War is my favorite Marvel movie.— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) April 9, 2016
I have to admit it. Captain America: Civil War a letdown after the high of Winter Soldier. It’s a better, smarter version of BvS.— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) April 9, 2016
Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd and Frank Grillo, with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl. Anthony & Joe Russo are directing with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Nate Moore and Stan Lee are the executive producers. The screenplay is by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. Get ready to pick a side and join the nonstop action playing out on two fronts when Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War opens in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2016.
Doctor Strange – November 4, 2016; Guardians of the Galaxy 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man – July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; The Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 – May 4, 2018;Ant-Man and the Wasp– July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel – March 8, 2019; The Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 – May 3, 2019; Inhumans– July 12, 2019; and as-yet untitled Marvel movies on May 1, July 10 and November 6, 2020.
