Film Review: Captain America: Civil War

Review: Captain America: Civil War

By Gary Theroux

May 7/2016

Captain America: Civil War

Rating: (PG-13)

Director: Joe & Anthony Russo

Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 90%

Rotten tomatoes Fans Score:  92%

Marvel has produced 12 films as an autonomous studio starring the Avengers heroes.  And virtually all of them have fallen under the “well received” heading. Captain America: Civil War will, without doubt, take its place on that list, and may even reset the bar for critical acclaim.

The story, an adaptation of one of Marvel’s most popular and expansive comic book runs, is actually quite simple, even for a viewer who hasn’t been following the exploits of these characters since the inception of the “Marvel Cinematic Universe” with Downey’s first Iron Man.  All the “avenging” these heroes have been doing has a cost, and the collateral damage seemingly increases from battle to battle.  And after the events that open Civil War, the governments of this world simply can’t abide the Avengers and their ilk operating with impunity any longer.  Downey’s Tony Stark concedes the point and is immediately willing to accept some oversight.  Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers disagrees, and can’t fake a trust in government agencies that he doesn’t truly feel.  And thus, the team is split between its two leaders, half siding with Iron Man and half with Captain America.

As you can probably tell by the number of times the “A-word” appears above, “Captain America: Civil War” is more “Avengers 3” than it is a standalone Captain America film. (Apparently the cost / screen time required to include Thor and The Hulk in this installment was a bridge too far.)  While there is a foe that must ultimately be addressed, the film hinges on the audience’s interest in the battle within said group.  The titular “Civil War” that pits enhanced individual vs. enhanced individual is where this movie hits its stride, and is ultimately what makes it such an enjoyable experience to watch.  There is a B story focusing on Cap’s old friend turned S.H.I.E.L.D assassin Bucky.  But even the action sequence involving Cap, Winter Soldier and Chadwick Boseman’s newly introduced Black Panther feels like a warm up, while the characters and the viewer alike wait for the main event.

It feels slightly dismissive of the Russo Brothers as directors to say, but the steady and unstoppable influence of The Marvel Studio Blockbuster Machine is visible on screen for all to see.  From the opening action sequence, to the exposition heavy first act.  From the chase scene to remind you that this is a summer blockbuster after all, to the perfectly timed quips and gags to remind you that we do this Superhero thing best, and our characters aren’t all brooding sourpusses.  Marvel has created a formula to appeal to movie lovers of every stripe.  They are executing that formula at such a high level in fact, that they may become victims of their own reliable quality.  I, for one, came out of Civil War feeling like I had watched another quality entry in “The Continuing Adventures of The Avengers and Their Super Friends”, but without a real feeling of excitement at seeing something new, or unexpected.  It didn’t feel like an ending, or a turning point, or a new beginning.  And that may be the only thing preventing it from being truly great.

And I can say it’s almost great, because Spider-Man.

It wouldn’t be fair to review, critique or discuss Civil War without taking time to make special mention of Spider-Man.  When Marvel and    Sony reached an agreement on the character’s film rights to bring him into the MCU, fans were elated.  When Tom Holland was cast and fans learned that they would be going with a younger, school aged Spidey, the internet buzz ratcheted up another level.  And when Peter Parker fans see the on screen introduction of this version of their favorite hero, one can only imagine the nerdgasms that will ensue.  It’s perfect.  It’s funny, it’s loyal to a version of the character that hasn’t been seen on film before and it breathes magic into an already stellar film that elevates the entire endeavour and leaves you breathlessly wanting more.

The Team Cap vs. Team Iron Man set piece, roughly two thirds of the way through the film, outshines not only all the previous “big battles” in MCU lore, but even this film’s own conclusion.  The cast of supers is loaded.  Cap, Iron Man, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Falcon, War Machine, Winter Soldier, Black Panther and even Ant-Man are all in on some part of the action.  But it’s Spider-Man who steals the show.  It’s his debut in full costume (redesigned for maximum merchandising power, of course), and while I may be showing a little too much fanboy giddiness, web slinging has never been done better on the big screen.  What amounts to maybe ten minutes of screen time is worth the price of admission, on its own.

So, whether you’re Team Cap or Team Iron Man, you may come out of the film as I did, a card carrying member of Team When is “Spider-Man: Homecoming” gonna be out already??

4.5 out of 5 Stars