Captain America: Civil War Review

At last, I unveil my review for Captain America: Civil War, which I saw opening weekend.  This has to be my favorite Avengers-related film since the first Iron Man, and ranks up there with Spider-Man 2.  This film perfectly manages the multitude of characters without losing focus or narrative momentum and focus.

This film is a study in aftermath and collateral damage.  It seems that the feats of superheroes aren’t all fun and games, sometimes innocent people are hurt and killed.  Specifically, this film begins with various Avengers being confronted with the unintended consequences of their heroics during the events depicted in The Avengers: Age of Ultron.  Tony Stark is particularly convinced of the error of his ways and is intent upon atonement in any form it may take.

The Avengers are presented with a treaty by Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross, who I was happy to realize is the same character from The Incredible Hulk.  Steve Rogers is against the bureaucratic agenda, whereas Stark sees it as an imperfect but necessary check to their powers.    

Another major event early in the film is the killing of an African public official in an explosion, which looks to be the work of the Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes.  Steve Rogers is determined to keep an open mind, especially upon realizing that the evidence is sketchy and doesn’t add up, while seemingly everyone else, including Tony, is rushing to condemn Barnes.  This, and disagreement over the treaty, leads to the civil war.

 

Vision, Black Widow, Hawkeye, War Machine, Falcon, and Scarlet Witch return to join the conflict.  What’s more, more superheroes join the Avengers universe for the first time on screen: Ant-Man and Spider-Man.  Ant-Man is the subject of a huge surprise during the primary battle, while Spider-Man, the third version in the recent film franchises, has plenty of humor to offer.  

This film was the most fun I had at the movies in quite a while.