Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Sebastian Stan, and Chadwick Boseman
Oh my emotions. Watching your favorite superheroes kick the crap out of each other, that takes it out of you. At the same time though, that's what helps make Captain America: Civil War not just one of the best Marvel films of all time, but one of the best superhero films of all time.
Following the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron and an encounter with Crossbones (Frank Grillo) that ends horribly with civilian casualties, the government is calling for The Avengers to be put under the control of a United Nations panel, with the signing of the Sokovia Accords. Naturally, one half of the team is against the Accords, while the other half is for it. The first half is led by Steve Rogers/Captain America (Evans), and the second by Tony Stark/Iron Man (Downey).
As this inner conflict unfolds, The Winter Soldier/Steve's old friend Bucky Barnes (Stan) remerges, supposedly the one behind a bombing of the United Nations. Steve and Sam Wilson/The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) take it upon themselves to investigate, now acting outside the law. As the hunt for Bucky unfolds, superheroes both new and familiar are drawn into the conflict, while a mysterious figure named Helmut Zemo (Daniel Bruhl) operates in the shadows. Things will never be the same as disagreement between teammates turns into an all out brawl.
The script here is fantastic, building upon every character's development and storyline threaded through the past dozen films. Everything in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has built to this, and it all comes to head in a glorious spectacle. Every piece of dialogue, every fight scene has emotional weight to it, and the audience really feels it.
The airport sequence is everything everyone has been ranting and raving about. It's an explosive set piece and one of the best action scenes put to film in the superhero genre. The final fight, which I won't spoil, packs one hell of a gut punch, and is a pure edge-of-your-seat thrills.
A film this packed, you think some characters would go underdeveloped, but everyone gets their moment to shine in the film. Paul Rudd brings some big laughs as Ant-Man. Sebastian Stan gets to bring Bucky to some amazing new places, and the comedic pairing of Bucky & Falcon is wonderful. Elizabeth Olsen gets much more to do as Scarlet Witch, and really works the material. Daniel Bruhl as Helmut Zemo is no question, the best villain in the MCU since Tom Hiddelston's Loki.
Then we have our two newest Avengers, Spider-Man and Black Panther, played by Tom Holland and Chadwick Boseman. Tom Holland is now the definitive Spider-Man. Young, hopeful, cocky and ready to play with the big boys, this is the young Peter Parker from the comics come to life. Chadwick Boseman is the coolest of cool as Prince T'Challa, the Black Panther. I can't wait for their standalone films.
Then there's our two leads, Chris Evans as Captain America and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. While this film is packed with Avengers, this is still a Captain America story, as Steve Rogers continues to adjust to this modern world and fight for what he believes in. Chris Evans, his fifth outing as the titular hero, possibly gives his best performance of the MCU so far, handling both heavy-hitting set pieces and character moments. Robert Downey Jr., now having played Tony Stark for six films, brings the evolution of the character to dark, emotional new places. This is a different Tony Stark, and its incredibly compelling to watch Downey bring this character to life once more.
Honestly the whole cast is incredible, new and old faces of the franchise, but it'd be tedious to go down the entire roster. Henry Jackman's score is beautiful, featuring some truly moving pieces of music. The film is perfectly paced. It's hard to find any real flaw in the film, and that's not Marvel bias. Sure you could argue the introduction of Spider-Man into the MCU feels shoe-horned, or that Zemo wasn't need to create the conflict of Civil War, but everything is done so well its justified.
Another MCU film has come and gone, and here I am embodying the stereotype of the Marvel fanboy once again. Regardless, I think the voice of the critics and audiences can back me up here. Captain America: Civil War is an explosive, emotional film that is easily one of the best superhero films ever made. It's an easy recommendation. Even if you're not a diehard MCU fan, the film will still appeal to you on some level. I mean you're watching Captain America and Iron Man fight. That's like…watching Batman and Superman….okay maybe not like that….I'm sorry I couldn't resist one little jab…
If you haven't already, check out my take on how we got to Captain America: Civil War, both from Cap's and Tony's point of view.
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