Captain America Civil War Review

Introduction (Warning Contains Spoilers)

With an extended version of Avengers: Endgame coming to cinemas this September, Marvel is attracting renewed attention.

Avengers: Doomsday is also scheduled to arrive in December.

That gives us the perfect opportunity to continue revisiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

We are working through the Marvel films in chronological order.

Our journey now brings us to 2016 and Captain America: Civil War. It is also the third film centred on Steve Rogers.

However, it feels considerably bigger than a traditional Captain America movie. The Avengers are placed at the centre of the story.

Their relationships are tested in ways they have not experienced before. The film follows the consequences of the Avengers’ previous battles.

Their victories have saved countless lives. However, their battles have also caused enormous destruction.

This creates an important question. Should superheroes be permitted to carry out their missions without any government oversight?

The movie presents the Sokovia Accords as the solution.

Under the accord, the Avengers will come under international jurisdiction.

Tony Stark thinks that this is essential. Steve Rogers totally disagrees.

In the end, this disagreement leads to a split between the Avengers.

This becomes the basic conflict of the movie. Nevertheless, the movie is not all about politics. It is also about responsibility.

Does having immense power give rise to greater responsibility? Does having good intentions justify doing what is right?

It even raises questions regarding the repercussions of the decisions made by powerful people.

Hence, the story of the movie becomes very significant, much more than most superhero movies.

Moreover, it places the audience in a very uncomfortable position. The viewers are asked to observe their heroes fighting each other.

This is especially difficult during the last clash. Eventually, Iron Man and Captain America find themselves at loggerheads. This is no ordinary battle of superheroes.

There is real anger that drives this plot forward. This adds even more emotional depth to the confrontation.

The movie also adds two new important characters to the MCU. Tom Holland makes his first appearance as Spider-Man. And the late Chadwick Boseman’s appears as T’Challa – the Black Panther.

They both make a strong impression. Holland gives an active and young Peter Parker. Boseman gives presence to T’Challa.

The movie also reintroduces the character of General Thaddeus Ross played by the late William Hurt. He has become Secretary of State by now.

He adds a political element to the story. There are therefore lots of things happening in this movie. Some of them work perfectly.

Some seem to be hastily done. There are lots of characters in the movie. It also has several major storylines.

Despite this, Civil War remains one of Marvel’s more ambitious films.

It attempts to make the superheroes question their own actions. That gives the story greater significance. However, its ambition also creates some problems.

Direction

Anthony and Joe Russo were the directing team for Civil War. The Russo brothers had already directed Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

That one gave a more realistic style to telling stories about superheroes. Civil War continues the style.

But it takes it to another level. The movie has a much larger number of characters. It has also more action scenes.

Yet the main problem of the movie is concentrated in one issue. It is one of the greatest things the directors did.

The argument between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark is very clear. None of them is portrayed as entirely right.

Steve thinks that the Avengers should remain free. He cannot trust any government to do the right thing.

Tony thinks that they need accountability. He has been noticing the implications of what they do.

There are good arguments for both sides. And thus the conflict gets even more interesting. Also, the directors are aware that this conflict has to become personal.

It cannot be just about politics. That is why Bucky Barnes appears in this conflict. Steve’s relationship with him is one of the important aspects.

And the personal background of Tony Stark becomes increasingly important. Thus, the political conflict turns into something much more emotional.

Another impressive thing about the Russos is that they manage the big ensemble quite well. There are a lot of superheroes here.

But almost all of them have a role to play. Black Widow is a character who provides some sense in the situation.

War Machine is on the side of Tony. Falcon is loyal to Steve. Vision asks himself questions about his position.

Wanda is torn between her powers and duties. And Hawkeye helps Steve. And Ant-Man also joins him.

It results in an incredible ensemble of personalities. The directors take advantage of their differences to generate tension.

The most apparent example is the airport fight. It includes almost all of the main characters. The scene is entertaining.

It is also technically very good. But the scene raises a unique challenge. It is hard to enjoy the scene where heroes are fighting.

The characters have previously fought side by side. Now, they are fighting against each other. The scene is, therefore, both exciting and awkward at the same time.

This is actually one of the best aspects of the movie. The directors keep the scene interesting without losing its consequences.

But the movie sometimes has problems with its big scale. There are so many characters that not all of them get developed.

The movie also features Spider-Man and Black Panther. Both of these characters have to be introduced.

Then the movie has to come back to the core conflict. This puts great strain on the pacing. The Russo brothers pull this off fairly well.

At times, though, the movie seems like several movies put together. This movie is a sequel to a Captain America movie.

It is also an Avengers movie. It introduces two potential solo movies. It is part of Bucky’s story line.

It introduces big things for upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. That is a lot of things for one movie.

They manage this fairly well, but sometimes the movie feels overcrowded. The climax of the movie is where their technique really shines through.

The action gets small scale. All the focus is on Steve, Tony and Bucky. The end result is much more personal than the battle at the airport.

They let the emotions of the characters drive the action. This makes the ending much more significant.

The Russo brothers create an ambitious movie. They manage to make the political, the characters and the action work together.

But sometimes the huge cast gets in their way.

Cinematography

The cinematographer for Civil War is Trent Opaloch. Visual style is similar to the style used in The Winter Soldier.

But, the film covers much broader scope. Action unfolds at various locations. The movie changes from political settings to massive action.

The camera work distinguishes those elements of the movie. The film tries not to make everything too colorful.

Instead, most scenes have a more realistic look.
It matches the tone of the film. The opening action sequence sets the tone of the movie.

Avengers try to save themselves from the menace.
But, there is a price to be paid for that. The cinematography ensures that the action is comprehensible.

It also emphasizes the importance of the characters. This will be essential in terms of the decisions made.

The airport battle serves as an example of contrast. The scene is vibrant, wide and full of motion. All characters are shown at least once in the scene.

The camera alternates from one fight to another. This ensures that the scene is packed with energy.

It is also easily comprehensible despite the complexity of the scene. But the amount of action cannot take over the screen.

The scene has a lot of special effects. There are always movements in the scene. There is destruction of vehicles.

Buildings and aircrafts are destroyed as well. This means that the scene is overbearing. But the final fight is calmer.

The scene is darker and the color scheme more intense. The focus is set on Steve, Tony and Bucky. This makes the battle more personal.

The cinematography therefore helps in conveying the emotional development. The film starts with large scale superheroes fight. But eventually it becomes personal.

This is an excellent visual choice. The cinematography works well for introducing Spider-Man as well.

He looks more energetic. There is a different way he fights. The camera work conveys his youthfulness and energy.

Black Panther gets an equally impressive introduction. His physicality is quick and strong. Cinematography makes the character feel present right from the start.

Overall, the visuals look great. There is a good balance between the grounded feel of The Winter Soldier and much grander scope.

There are instances where the spectacle is overdone. But the character-driven cinematography works well.

Visual Effects

The special effects in Civil War are largely good. There is a very heavy effects burden on this film. There are many superheroes in this film.

Many of these need significant effects work. The film also produces destruction on a massive scale. One of the main difficulties here is in maintaining balance between the two.

The film largely achieves this. The effects work best where they serve the character. Spider-Man is a great example of this.

Tom Holland does a lot physically as Spider-Man. Then digital effects make him more convincing. Black Panther is another beneficiary of the effects work.

He wears a suit that has a distinctive look. The effects work helps to produce his speed and agility. The airport scene involves a massive amount of CGI.

Nevertheless, the effects continue to be rather convincing overall. All the superhero powers are effectively depicted.

One of the most impressive visual moments occurs thanks to Giant-Man. Ant-Man unexpectedly increases his size. Moreover, it is intentionally overdone.

At the same time, the effects demonstrate how the movie is willing to have fun. The visual effects are also crucial for the finale battle.

Iron Man’s suit has been greatly damaged. There is obvious damage on Captain America’s shield. Even Bucky’s cybernetic arm takes part in the physical struggle.

The visual effects also help to show the violence. They are no longer the only way to create some spectacle.

However, there are some effects that seem too artificial.

The airport fight includes so many computer-generated images that they do not really have any physical mass. It does not spoil the sequence at all.

It simply means that we are watching a movie that uses effects extensively. Compared to other MCU movies, the visual effects have aged a bit.

Still, the overall quality is good. The movie manages to strike a good balance in general. There is lots of CGI.

But it always has something to do with the plot and action. The effects never appear just because they are cool.

This is essential. And the emotional load of the last fight helps avoid the effect of making the whole plot about effects.

In my opinion, the visual effects here are even better than in some weak MCU movies. They are not ideal.

But they definitely suit the scale of the plot.

Themes and Storyline

Themes are probably the most effective elements in Civil War. The movie raises the question whether heroes should be responsible for what they do.

This is a natural development after all the Avengers movies. The Avengers have saved the planet.

They have also caused destruction on a very large scale..The destruction of Battle of New York was disastrous.

The situation in Sokovia was even worse. That means the movie raises the question whether the Avengers should be controlled.

It is not presented as an easy one. Tony Stark thinks they require control. He is influenced by his own guilt.

He also knows the consequences of their actions. Steve Rogers holds a completely different opinion. He does not trust the government.

He also fears that politics will stop the Avengers from helping people. Both opinions have some reason.

That makes the political aspect more interesting. That is why Sokovia Accords are more than a mere plot element.

They are a true conflict of power. Whose hands should control those who have superhuman abilities?

Shall they be subordinate to the governments? Can they act independently? The movie does not give an unequivocal answer to this question.

And this is one of its strong sides. The movie raises the problem of responsibility. Superpower implies hard choices.

Sometimes it may result in bad consequences. Even if intentions were good in the beginning, sometimes innocent people may be injured.

This makes the superhero genre more serious. The movie also deals with the theme of loyalty. Steve Rogers risks his relations with the Avengers because of his loyalty to Bucky.

Tony understands the dangers of such loyalty. The conflict between them becomes more and more personal.

But the appearance of Bucky gives the movie some connection to its predecessors. Winter Soldier subplot is not ignored but becomes crucial for the hero’s decisions.

The movie also deals with the theme of friendship. Avengers are not just colleagues. They became friends.

Therefore fighting them seems uncomfortable. Especially at the end of the movie. Tony and Steve are not just opponents. They used to fight side by side.

They have now set themselves against each other. That makes for a strong end battle. It creates many issues concerning the future of the Avengers.

Can this team survive this major dispute? Can Steve and Tony reconcile and work together again Can the Avengers go back to what they once were?

The movie does not give us easy answers. That makes the ending successful. The story, however, has some weaknesses.

There is a lot of content here. Political storyline must be addressed. Bucky’s storyline must be developed. Steve and Tony dispute must be developed.

Black Panther needs introduction..Spider-Man needs introduction. Other members of the Avengers need something to do.

That results in a crowded storyline. Some of the characters are left behind. Thor and Hulk are left out.

That is good for the movie. Leaving them out leaves space for other characters. But, the story remains crowded.

It runs for about two hours and twenty-seven minutes. This is very long. But the film is mostly engaging.

It is more paced than some other overly big MCU films. The conflict helps drive the movie along. The airport fight serves as an important spectacle.

The climax offers emotional resolution. The film thus handles its length fairly well. There are times when it seems more like MCU build-up.

But they are less distracting than other films. The themes are well explored. The storyline provides good reasons for the conflict between the characters.

Performances

Chris Evans is still good in the role of Steve Rogers. Evans adds gravity to the character. Steve is no longer just the patriotic superhero.

He has turned into someone who questions authority. Evans makes his loyalty to Bucky convincing.

He also conveys Steve’s frustration with Tony. The character never feels at ease with the conflict. It helps explain his actions later on.

Robert Downey Jr. is equally essential to the film. Tony Stark has undergone significant changes since the first Iron Man.

He knows that he has made a mistake. Downey lets Tony’s guilt affect his acting. That is why Tony’s support of the Sokovia Accords feels genuine.

The ultimate clash provides Downey with some of the best dramatic moments.

Scarlett Johansson is once again great in the role of Natasha Romanoff. Natasha tries to keep the group united.

She sees both sides of the story. Her position becomes more and more complicated as the conflict unfolds.

Jeremy Renner returns to play Hawkeye. The character is less prominent here than in some other films. However, Renner performs well enough.

Anthony Mackie still manages to make Sam Wilson a memorable character. Falcon’s loyalty to Steve becomes important.

Sebastian Stan also adds a new layer of emotions to Bucky. Bucky says very little. But his facial expressions say everything about his confusion and fear. Stan makes the character sympathetic

Don Cheadle plays once again War Machine. His connection to Tony becomes significant. The after-effects of the fight at the airport become good material for Cheadle emotionally.

Elizabeth Olsen develops Wanda even further. Her powers put her at the center of the talk about responsibility.

Olsen adds vulnerability to the character. The same can be said about Paul Bettany’s Vision. Vision stays calm and analytic. But his understanding of human emotions is still growing.

Chadwick Boseman does a tremendous job at introducing us to T’Challa. His acting lends great credibility to Black Panther from the start.

Boseman acts him with dignity and solemnity. Also, he manages to make T’Challa’s sorrow seem realistic.

This character has his own reasons to join the battle. This makes him more than just another superhero.

Boseman did a terrific job because it was his first time playing the character. He introduced the character without having to tell a full backstory.

Similarly, Tom Holland immediately catches attention as Spider-Man. His version of Peter Parker is younger and more lively.

Holland does a terrific job at showing the excitement of this character. Also, he adds comedy to the character without making him disconnected.

His scenes with Tony are really funny. The performance of Holland is quite short. However, it definitely leaves its mark.

To my mind, he was a perfect choice for this character.

Paul Rudd also brings his Ant-Man to the movie. He provides some good comic moments during the airport battle. There are also some impressive visual effects during the battle that sees him become a giant Ant-Man.

Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross and Emily Vancamp as Sharon Carter also appear. However Carter’s short romance with Steve Rogers feels somewhat contrived and not really developed.

Thus, supporting actors are certainly one of the movie’s greatest qualities. The cast is enormous. Still, the best actors manage to make their characters memorable.

What Worked and What Did Not

There is much to like about Civil War. The most obvious success is the core conflict. Steve and Tony have good grounds for their dispute.

Neither side is depicted as entirely right. This adds maturity to the plot. The political themes make the movie even more interesting.

The theme of accountability is especially pertinent. The Avengers possess great powers. The movie raises questions about whether they need to report to someone.

It raises questions about the ability of governments to reign them in. Such questions add substance to the plot.

Good acting is another great success. Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. drive the emotional conflict.

Sebastian Stan adds vulnerability to Bucky. Chadwick Boseman makes Black Panther instantly likable.

Tom Holland impressively portrays his first Spider-Man. His take on Peter Parker is energetic and likable.

The battle at the airport is yet another high point. It is perhaps the most memorable action scene from the MCU.

Just about all of the heroes get a turn. It is an exciting and technically proficient piece of action.

At the same time, it brings a rather unusual emotional response. It is hard to watch the Avengers battle each other without reservations.

These are the characters that we have been rooting for over the years. Watching them fight each other seems somehow inappropriate.

It is an especially uncomfortable experience in the climactic battle. The showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers is very intense.

It is also a particularly difficult thing to watch. The fight stems from real rage. Tony is devastated by everything that has been happening.

Steve cannot let Bucky go. As a result, the friendship is destroyed. This makes the battle emotionally charged.

The film manages to create some weight to its consequences.

Overall Verdict

Captain America: Civil War is one of the most ambitious movies from Marvel. It tries to incorporate both superhero action and political themes into its narrative.

This movie raises the question of whether there should be any regulation of the Avengers. The other important issue raised here is the accountability of the Avengers for what they do.

It gives much more substance to the whole story.

The clash of Steve Rogers and Tony Stark is especially good. Both of them have some good reasons to defend their views.

But still, neither of them is completely right. And it makes their showdown even more convincing.

This movie manages to address the aftermath of battles in earlier MCU movies.

At this stage in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, its characters can no longer exist separately. They start influencing each other’s actions. Civil War understands this fact.

The film explores the question of what would happen if the superheroes would disagree on how the world must be saved.

Another question raised in Civil War is whether friendship can last in the light of politics and personal disagreements.

These questions are very important for the movie. In my opinion, Civil War is far from being a perfect film. It is overloaded.

Not all the characters are developed enough. The bad guy is rather weak. The airport battle can also feel slightly at odds with the serious themes.

Yet the main conflict is powerful enough to keep everything in balance. The acting gives the plot an emotional component.

Political undertones provide the meat of the story. Introductions of Spider-Man and Black Panther are equally good.

The climax leaves real consequences behind. Most importantly, the film alters Avengers. They are no longer a unified crew from 2012.

The damage inflicted on them due to their split is irreversible. This gives the film an important place in the broader MCU world.

In other words, Captain America: Civil War is an ambitious and generally successful Marvel movie. There are certainly some shortcomings.

Yet it treats its characters with respect. It poses tough moral questions. Also, it realizes that actions of superheroes should have consequences.

This turns it into something more than another big Marvel production. Namely, it is a story about friendship failing under immense pressure. And that is why the final confrontation is so effective.