Producer: Marvel Studios
Writers: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo
Featuring: Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Robert Downey, Jr. Anthony Mackie, Scarlet Johanson, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily Van Camp, Tom Holland, William Hurt, Martin Freeman, Daniel Brühl
Release Date: OUT NOW!

Captain America Civil War is a family film. I’m not referring to its rating or kids will love it, but that it’s about a family, the Marvel family. That’s the way Marvel started in the first issue of Fantastic Four and so it remains. And like any family there are no winners or losers, only hurt feelings. That’s where Captain America Civil War succeeds on both action-adventure and emotional levels.

In Captain America Civil War, following another high-casualty Avengers mission to grab terrorist Crossbones (Frank Grillo reprising his role from Captain America The Winter Soldier), one-hundred and seventeen nations have created the Sokovia Accords to control superheroes. Guilty-feeling Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr. showing great emotional depth) is all for it. But Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) is not so convinced. “The safest hands are still our own,” he says. The battle lines are drawn when the feds suspect Bucky Barnes/Winter Solder (Stan Sabastian) of an act of terrorism, and Cap has to find his old pal first before the military arm of the Feds do.

Unlike Batman v Superman, the conflict in Captain America Civil War feels real and personal. Lines of allegiance are blurred and individual motivations take centre stage. Writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely skillfully weave each main character’s thread into a tapestry without losing sight of the end game. There’s a lot of plot and lots of personal journeys, but it’s never confusing. And no matter how grim things get, in Captain America Civil War there’s still plenty of comedy and humour. If you do not at least grin at some of this then burn/delete your comic book collection, it doesn’t deserve you.

There’s a bad guy roaming the scenes of Captain America Civil War, in the form of brilliant strategist Col. Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl), but the fighting remains among the heroes, and they’re all justifiably righteous. Cap steps in as the father, Tony the rebellious son and Black Widow the mother who just tries to keep everybody from fighting.

The action sequences are spectacular and befitting to Captain America Civil War, and there’s plenty. Black Panther, Spider-Man and Ant-Man all are put to good use and reveal surprises that should please any fan. The pacing is quick and the fights are interestingly well-choreographed.

From every angle Captain America Civil War isn’t just a good comic book movie, it’s a good movie, one of the best this year. If you haven’t seen it go now and if you have seen Captain America Civil War, go and see it again. I am!

 

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker