A lot of reviewers are calling Captain America: Civil War the best Marvel movie yet, now I’m not ready just yet to declare this the best Marvel Movie but I will say this, the movie is fantastic and a great follow-up to 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. It not only feels like a sequel to its own movie but like Iron Man 3 did, it definitely takes into account the previous Avengers movies as well.
I am not going to get into a Marvel vs DC debate here, but what I will say the big differences between the two movies that pit hero vs hero are as follows, as an audience we’re more invested in the characters here. We’ve had eight years to get to know and care for them, whereas we have just met these versions of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Also in Civil War, we get a clear reason as to why the heroes are at odds and each side has their points. Throughout the movie you might find yourself switching sides or finding yourself in the middle, I know I did. I didn’t really go in as Team Cap or Team Iron Man, but throughout the movie I could see each side’s point of view.
There is little similarities between the comic book miniseries Civil War and this movie, but the catalyst is very similar. In the comics this young group of meta humans accidentally blow up a town leading to the Super Hero Registration Act. In the film we start with Cap and several of the new Avengers tracking down Cross Bone. Without spoiling anything I’ll say that this new group of Avengers while trying to save the day allow for some innocent people to get killed. Believe me when I say that I’m over simplifying the opening, you’ll see.
From there we meet up with Tony at MIT and him handing out grants to the students there and from there he meets the mother of a young man who died in Sokovia during the events of Age of Ultron. This of course gives Tony pause, not to mention guilt. This leads to the Sokovia Accords which would regulated the Avengers under the United Nations. During the UN meeting there is an explosion and the prime suspect is Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Solider. The UN wants him dead, but Cap doesn’t like that and goes outside the law to bring Bucky in alive. Thus begins the conflict.
As far as the plot that’s all I’m going to say, the Russo brothers once again do a fantastic job of weaving this nice thriller through out and keeping you guessing and I’d be doing you a disservice if I told you anymore than what was in the trailers.
What I will say about this movie is that every one of the Avenger gets their chance to shine in this film, even new comers like Ant-Man, Black Panther, and of course Spider-Man (who steals the show for a bit). The Russos (who made a name for themselves directing ensemble comedies like Arrested Development and Community) know how to do the ensemble and where the focus is on Cap (it’s his movie after all) it also feels like it very well could be an Avengers film as well, and I feel like Infinity War films are in good hands with these two brothers.
The two newest characters Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) are well cast and we get some hints at their upcoming films and I can say I’m really excited about them. In fact walking out of the theater my son said to me, “dad I hope Black Panther gets his own movie because he’s cool.” I told him he was and he just yelled “YES!”
The only real complaint I’ve seen about the film is the villain Zemo and his motivations. Honestly, I can see part of this complaint, but I get his motivations and I also believe there is more to him than what is said in the film though there is a hint that there is more to him than what we see and I think the filmmakers might be saving him for later.
In the end Captain America: Civil War is a well-made movie from start to finish and there isn’t any point in which I felt that the movie dragged. There were moments of humor but it wasn’t overdone and the tense and series moments are not dark and super serious like the DC movies. The Russos have found a good balance for their films and I look forward to more Marvel films by them.
As for this film I give it a 9 out of 10.
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