Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Expansive in scope and detailed in execution with praise-worthy non-childish tone, political undercurrents in smart deliberation of the many casualties/side effects of superheroicism, & impressive final Iron Man/Cap battle – with multiple T’Challa-led additions. 8.9/10.

Plot Synopsis: Political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability when the actions of the Avengers lead to collateral damage. The new status quo deeply divides members of the team. Captain America (Chris Evans) believes superheroes should remain free to defend humanity without government interference. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) sharply disagrees and supports oversight. As the debate escalates into an all-out feud, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) must pick a side.

*Possible spoilers ahead*

Positives: Stylish direction, transitions, quick crisp pacing, and INCREDIBLE action sequences by the Russo brothers (Cap/IM fight, Tunnel car chase/Black Panther introduction, etc.) who sure pack a wallop with their direction learned from Winter Solider and now Civil War, Phenomenal plot unfolding keeping and masterfully executing the mystery of Winter Solider and his role in all of this so that it achieves maximum shock when it’s finally unveiled and begins the blockbuster IM/Cap fight, impeccable idea to deal with something rarely ever talked about in superhero movies but vital in scope outside the heroes/villains duking it out: consequences and casualties and what happens to the rest of the world and how they deal and sometimes lose things that aren’t even referenced (and the legality/political side of superheroics rarely if ever discussed before and never at this level in superhero cinema), much more serious tone and depth THANKFULLY from Marvel who usually (and still sometimes here but less) sells themselves and their art short for some childish cheap jokes, LEGENDARY introduction scenes for two of Marvel’s biggest heavy-hitters in Black Panther and THE biggest heavy hitter in Marvel history: SPIDER-MAN – Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther cool and intimidating (although still and unemotive at times) and Tom Holland who just in his scenes here has a gift for jokes and getting the tone of Spider-Man well with great energy and potential for the future, believable conflict and incredible writing with the character motivations for both sides of the Sokovia accords – something Marvel faults and all certainly succeeds at (and perhaps why they inexplicably can keep growing this universe while most other film universes struggle): they understand their characters and how they would act/do in any situation have it down to a science, some hilarious moments (hidden among all the cringe childish quips) like the Bucky/Falcon car ride, Spider-Man introduction scene which steals the show and makes you can’t help but smile with such a reinvigoration and energy while also exploring some of the depths of the character and his meaning, Zemo not an intimidating villain but a successful one achieving a huge thing in fracturing the Avengers and just being a grief-stricken parent with a bone to pick against the Avengers trying something different, Cap/Iron Man fight delivers one of the most stunning moments not only in Marvel history but in superhero movie history, great heavy score especially in the moments that matter like the final fight, great referehces that just tout how much Marvel knows their characters like Cap saying to begin and end the trilogy the line ” I could do this all day” standing up to the bully theater guy or in this case Iron Man (although I side with him in the fight logic as it was messed up what Buck did, but agree with Cap on the accords)

Negatives: Movie’s inception being even admitted by the directors only inspired after Batman v Superman, basically an Avengers movie calling itself a Captain America movie cheating when a trilogy should only be a singular hero, tonal incosistency trying and mostly succeeding in being a serious consequence-focused movie but being heavily hindered by CRINGY childish jokes sometimes even during potentially legendary action sequences like the airport fight like “We’re still friends right?”, “Does anyone have any orange slices”, “Tony Stank”, etc., Boseman’s Black Panther not really emotive and kind of stiff, Zemo one of the worst villains in CBM history – accomplished his goal of fracturing the Avengers (not really though.. as they’re back together in like 1 day for Infinity War..) and at least giving us one epic blockbuster fight, Iron man kind of patriarchal/disrespectful to Spider Man which is blasphemous as Spider man is Marvel’s greatest and one of the most iconic superheroes ever, plenty of attention drawn to how much Marvel’s heroes copied DC like Vision with his laser vision/costume/powers a Superman copy, Black Panther with his design/suit/batwing plane a Batman copy, etc., wimps out of apotentially POWERFUL death and shock in Rhodey’s falling that is downright INFURIATING and one of the biggest punk moves/cop outs I’ve ever seen selling a dramatically heavy moment (as well as one by all physics it was impossible for him to survive falling from that height..) and one death Marvel movies have seemingly none of for keeping franchise possibilities and money..,m  while it is awesome seeing one of the greatest Marvel comics in Civil War get a big screen it is not really a Civil War but more of a Civil disagreement as in the comics the Civil War took place between every Marvel hero ever made and more than half of them died.. but here it’s only between like 10 people and NONE (including a complete and unforgiveable reneg on Rhodey’s death or even ONE Avenger) of them died, wish they wouldn’t have had that Cap apology note at the end and instead stuck with the stunning consequence opportunity they laid out and mostly executed

Full Review Coming Soon