First Captain America: Civil War Short Reviews From Critics

On Friday, Marvel Studios held the first screening for critics for Captain America: Civil War, and the early feedback on the film is overwhelmingly positive. Of course, it's fairly common for first screenings to draw rave reviews from the critics. However, the fact that Marvel Studios is confident enough in the film to screen it for critics nearly a month in advance of its release date is a good sign. If a movie fairs poorly in audience test screenings, studios have a tendency to either not do critic screenings or to hold them until just a couple days before wide release of the film.

While there were some varied opinions on Captain America: Civil War, there were two common themes that seemed to run across many of the short reviews that have surfaced on social media. Many critics couldn't help comparing Captain America: Civil War to Batman V Superman by stating that the Marvel film is more fun in their opinion. Also, Spider-Man seems to have been a highlight of the film for many critics. We've included some of the short reviews from Twitter about the film below.

Mike Sampson wrote, "Captain America: Civil War is so good, it's a better Avengers movie than the last Avengers movie. I'm trying not to talk about Civil War by comparing it to BvS, but it's hard. It succeeds because it's exactly what that film is not: FUN. The big battle scene in Civil War is an absolute blast. Spider-Man, as you'd expect, steals the show. Ant-Man, as you might not, a close 2nd. Civil War and BvS tackle some of the same themes and have similar beats, yet Cap works because we know and care about these characters."

Germain Lussier wrote, "Captain America: Civil War is a complex mystery posing a big, fun superhero film. Lots of themes and emotions. Very unexpected & VERY good. I honestly don't know how Civil War works. There's so much going on but it does. Spidey is AMAZING. Made me smile & laugh till my face hurt. I'll also admit, after 1 viewing, I have some small issues with the film. I'm guessing they'll shrink after a 2nd viewing to unpack them tho. I could go on all night with this but one last thing. The airport scene in Civil War is probably the best superhero action scene ever."

Mike Ryan wrote, "I liked it. Oh yeah, the big fight in Captain America: Civil War is cinematic joy. And Spider-Man is so great. He's in it more than I thought he'd be. I'm pretty sure Captain America: Civil War is my favorite Marvel movie. Really didn't think I'd care *that* much seeing Spider-Man hanging out with all the other characters. But there he was and it made me happy!"

Devin Faraci wrote, "First things first: we finally have the perfect Spider-Man and the greatest Peter Parker. Next: Black Panther is incredible. Boseman plays him as both regal and full of rage. The most serious character in the film. The movie is bigger in scale than WINTER SOLDIER but is so much more personal. The stakes are incredibly emotional. You have only seen 1% of the airport fight. The action is incredible. There's a staircase fight that turns into a chase that's an all timer. Finally: the last fight between Steve and Tony is unlike anything you've seen in a Marvel movie. They're both right. You just want them to stop fighting. It packs a serious emotional punch. I lied. One last last thing: this movie plays like a repudiation of BATMAN V SUPERMAN. A devastating reply."

Steven Weintraub wrote, "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR is literally going to make all the money. CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR is a Barry Bonds steroids hitting home-run by Marvel & Russo Brothers. And I LOVED Spider-Man in the film. LOVED. Chadwick Boseman is fantastic as Black Panther. Can't wait to see his solo film. He absolutely nailed the role. CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR has such incredible action set pieces because you care about the people fighting. It's not just punching bad guys. For press screening they don't show any trailers. We did see one after the credits scene but Marvel usually holds the final one for release."

John Campea wrote, "CA:CW is fantastic. Flat out fantastic. Either my #2 or #3 favorite Marvel film so far. Better than BVS, not quite as good as Deadpool. Winter Soldier had a better of a story, Civil War better action and set pieces... I'll give a SLIGHT nod to WS over CW, but CW is incredible."

Jim Vejvoda wrote, "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. Zemo is another wasted Marvel villain whose scheme is, while not as crazy as Lex's, isn't much more coherent or less convoluted. Big airport brawl is great fun & Civil War sort of limps to the finish line after that. Panther is very cool. Want to see more of him too. But I think between this & BvS I'm done with being reminded of superhero battle collateral damage. We've dealt with it. Unsure if ppl will find Cap 3 as fun as trailers sell it. Tony was far more morose than I expected. Parts of movie work better than whole. Spider-Man is both the best & most expendable part of Civil War. I want to see more of him. Civil War is not a bad film at all. But it's not the great movie I'd hoped it would be. It's a good movie with many OK & a few great moments."

Jon Schnepp wrote, "Just saw @CaptainAmerica Civil War!!! Wow! Spider-Man Rocks! Best Action Sequences in any superhero film EVER!"

William Bibbiani wrote, "#CaptainAmericaCivilWar falls into a lot of the same traps as #BvS, but it's a lot more fun. What we get of #SpiderMan is played perfectly. The plot has problems in #CaptainAmericaCivilWar, no doubt about it. So do the plots of most superhero movies. But when it's fun, it's FUN. There are things in #CaptainAmericaCivilWar I thought I'd never get to see on the big screen when I was a kid. It's worth watching. So to wrap it up: it's not perfect, but it's a blast. Better than Age of Ultron. Not as cohesive as Winter Soldier. #CaptainAmericaCivilWar"

Captain America: Civil War is scheduled to be released in movie theaters on May 6, 2016.