Marvel Studios' latest installment, \"Captain America: Brave New World,\" released on Valentine's Day, has faced a lukewarm response at the box office, signaling possible creative stagnation within the studio.
The film stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, stepping into the role of Captain America, and explores political intrigue involving President Thaddeus Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford. Despite its promising start, the movie has received mixed reviews, holding a 49% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 300 critic reviews.
While some critics like The New York Times appreciate the film as a \"decent political thriller,\" others find it \"too routine\" with uninteresting elements, leading to a 68% drop in box office earnings in its second weekend domestically.
In stark contrast, China's animated sensation \"Ne Zha 2\" has achieved unprecedented success, becoming the highest-grossing animated movie of all time with global earnings of $1.9 billion. The film's compelling storytelling and high-quality animation have resonated with audiences worldwide, overshadowing Marvel's offering.
Industry experts, such as Zhang Peng from Nanjing Normal University, highlight that Marvel's decline in the Chinese mainland market is due to \"quality deterioration, disjointed storytelling and formulaic character development.\" They suggest that Hollywood needs to adapt culturally and prioritize storytelling to reconnect with global audiences.
The contrasting performances of \"Captain America: Brave New World\" and \"Ne Zha 2\" illustrate a shift in global audience preferences towards fresh narratives and diverse perspectives, challenging Hollywood's traditional dominance.
Reference(s):
Is Marvel losing its grip? When 'Captain America 4' meets 'Ne Zha 2'
cgtn.com
