Review: Captain America: Civil War
Arguably the best superhero film of all time, Captain America: Civil War is definitely the best entry thus far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Everything a blockbuster should be, the film is the successful result of years and years of storytelling work and a prime example of everything Marvel does right and the recent Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice did wrong.
It's difficult not to compare the two films given how relatively fresh Batman v Superman is in the memory and especially since both films essentially tread the same narrative waters. Where Batman v Superman felt hollow and bloated, Civil War is streamlined yet immensely intricate. The central conflict makes sense as does the integration of new and existing characters. Every decision made by screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely and directors Anthony and Joe Russo serves both the story and the characters, not just in the overarching narrative but in the individual arcs. Factor in the bravura action sequences, including the superhero showdown that is the centerpiece of the film, and the end result is a truly satisfying extravaganza.
Loosely based on the 2006-2007 Marvel Comics event series and functioning as a sequel to both Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Avengers: Age of Ultron, the film finds the Avengers being taken to task for the damaging consequences of their heroic actions. After major battles in New York, Washington D.C., Sokovia, and a recent mission in which protective measures taken by Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) claims the lives of several innocent people, the group are warned by the U.S. Secretary of State (William Hurt) that the United Nations will soon ratify the Sokovia Accord, an agreement that would place the Avengers under the supervision of a U.N. panel. The panel would decide when and where the team would go into battle. Anyone refusing to sign the accord would face criminal charges for using their superpowers.
Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), already affected by the admonishments of a mother (Alfre Woodard) whose son was one of the many killed during the battle in Sokovia ("You think you fight for us, you fight for yourself."), is open to the governmental oversight. Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) disagrees, pointing out that they would be puppets of various political agendas. The already existing ideological divide between Stark and Cap is exacerbated, forcing the other members to choose sides. Stark is supported by best friend Lt. James Rhodes/War Machine (Don Cheadle), the otherworldly Vision (Paul Bettany), Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and new recruits T'Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland). On Team Cap: Sam Wilson/The Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Scarlet Witch, Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), and Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).
With so many of the plot points leading back to him, Bucky may be the film's most pivotal character. For one, the world believes him to be behind the bombing that left many dead, including T'Challa's father. For another, Bucky has always been Cap's Achilles heel. Even when Bucky was in Winter Soldier mode and out to kill him, Cap always believed that his best friend was still within the monster that Bucky was programmed into being. That unwavering belief turns Cap into a fugitive as he aims to protect his friend from being caught by his fellow crimefighters. The hunt for Bucky leads to the spectacular clash between Team Cap and Team Iron Man, an all-out brawl that alone is worth the price of admission. Marvel has always been a master at blending action and comedy and this seventeen-minute sequence raises an already high bar even higher. Everyone gets a moment with everybody, and it's a kick to see how established figures react to the newbies in their midst as they're both impressed with and exasperated by the powers they possess. Spidey and Black Panther are exceptionally brought into the fold; it's a credit not only to the filmmakers but to the perfectly cast actors that they stand out in such a stellar ensemble.
The dazzling and inventive action sequences are anchored by complex character dynamics, which increases the emotional stakes for all involved. The delight is in the details and those details, so finely honed with each film, lead us to surprising pairings such as the one between Bucky and Falcon, whose complicated relationship serves as one of the strongest sources of comedy. Their scene in the car as they observe Cap kiss Agent 13 (Emily VanCamp) smoothly turns from blatant hostility to allied bros and back again is a little gem. Contrast that with the moment between Cap, Stark and Bucky - a moment in which one realises there is now a point of no return that has been crossed and from which ensues the terribly heartbreaking and intensely brutal confrontation between Cap and Stark.
Impressive on every level, Captain America: Civil War exceeds expectations and, pending the upcoming two-part Infinity War, may reign as the brightest jewel in Marvel's crown.
Captain America: Civil War
Directed by: Anthony and Joe Russo
Written by: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, Chadwick Boseman, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Tom Holland, Daniel Brühl, William Hurt, Frank Grillo, Marisa Tomei, Alfre Woodard, John Slattery, Hope Davis, Martin Freeman
