Movie Review : Captain America Civil War

I’ll start my review for Captain America: Civil War just like I started my review for another movie this year where two superheroes fought each other. I really wanted to like this movie. But in reality I LOVED this movie.  

I’ll give you a three word review before my bit more detailed, but still spoiler free, review. GO SEE IT.

This movie could quite possibly be the best movie from Marvel we have had to date and that is saying something. I cheered during this movie, I laughed during this movie and at one point I almost got emotional. Throughout the movie I was at the edge of my seat and, thank the gods, everything leads to an immensely satisfying ending.

Story and Writing:

The basic plot goes like this: The world thinks that while the Avengers may have saved the world a few times, the collateral damage they left behind must be answered for and they should be under the control of some worldwide authority, in this case the United Nations.

Tony Stark agrees and Captain Rogers disagrees. While this may seem flimsy on paper, in execution, this movie has one of the thickest and most compelling plots which ties every shot on screen together. Every person has a reason to do what they do and we understand where everyone is coming from.

We can understand why Tony, who dislikes authority, is willing to work under it. We get why, Captain America rejects it. You get why the remaining heroes chose the sides that they do. We understand where the villain is coming from. Every single character is fleshed out and everyone shines. Not a single character in the whole movie feels shoehorned in just for an unrelated cameo, or to create hype.  

But the takeaway from all of this is the fact that it still remains a Captain America movie. While he shares equal screen time with Tony Stark, Rogers and his friendship with Bucky is the driving force behind the film.

Another thing I loved about this movie was that you go in expecting to pick a side, but when you see the actual movie unfold you cannot pick a side that easily. Nothing is black and white. Both Tony and Rogers are right and both of them are wrong. And if you have already picked a side, there is something that happens that may change it.

The villain is not the strongest ever, but when you understand his motivation you get why he does what he does.

All in all the writing the directing and dialogue are top notch and it is everything we have come to expect out of Marvel and more. Good job Russo Brothers, you and your team of writers and directors rock.

Acting:

The acting in the movie is, again, top notch. Everybody brought their A game to screen and it shows. 

Chris Evans and his biceps are heroic as ever in the role of Captain America. Robert Downey Jr., well, I have nothing to say because he probably is the perfect Iron-Man. I loved Paul Bettany as Vision.

Elizabeth Olsen was relatable as Scarlet Witch. Sebastian Stan was great as the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie was one of the films highlights as Falcon. Paul Rudd as Ant Man is Funny as ever. Don Cheadle as Iron Patriot still has a solid performance. Scarlett Johannson as Black widow is incredible as ever. And of course Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye is good.

But in probably the two best performances were Chadwick Bowsman as Black Panther and Tom Holland as Spider- Man. Freaking stole the show.  Black Panther was ferocious, and Spider-Man is just too cool.

I really have no gripes at all about anyone in the cast. But say I were to nitpick, I would have to say that Martin Freeman was maybe a bit underutilized for the star power he carries.

Every character, as I said earlier, was done justice and so did the actors playing them.

Cinematography, Editing and Visual Effects:

The Cinematography, Editing and Visual effects are top notch. This movie has the two best superhero fight scenes, and chase scene, I have seen to date.  The seamless blend of reality and CGI is glorious. 

The visuals pack a punch and you can actually feel each and every blow on screen. In some scenes some of the audience members were cringing at the beating the heroes were taking.

The camera work is great and, unlike another movie I reviewed recently *cough* Batman V Superman *cough*, no scene felt incomplete. Again I really have no gripes with the visuals of the film. Marvel is great at what they do and they continue to do it properly.

Music:

The music by Henry Jackman is good. I would probably download the sound track but it wasn’t something which I would call breathtaking or revolutionary. But the movie excels somewhere else. Sound editing. Everything is sharp and on point. Every blow, every explosion, every bullet and every arrow sounded wonderful.

Final Thoughts:

Before I give my final thoughts on this movie, I want to take this paragraph to praise the stunt team for this film. The action on screen is visceral and dangerous and they filmed every shot of it. And for a film where there are more than three people flying around in suits, there is a lot of hand to hand combat and real, on camera, action. And every single second of it was great. Right from the way they hit, took hits and fell it seemed all too real and all too painful, and for that a HUGE shout out to the stunt team.

On to my final thoughts, this movie was everything I wanted to be and more. The Action was great, the dialogues were great and the end of the movie is not what I expected it to be but a much better one. It is one which has Ramifications on the Marvel Universe and the Russo Brothers weren’t afraid to take that step.

In my reviews I always give my honest opinion and any problem I find with this film is nitpicking. The movie has very little flaws, but in reality no movie is without flaws.

A movie becomes great, in my opinion, when it transcends its flaws and Captain America: Civil War transcended every small nitpick I have.

It is impossible not to compare this movie to Batman V Superman Dawn of Justice. Both are based on the premise of heroes fighting each other. Batman V Superman was an example of how not to make such a movie. Captain America: Civil War is a brilliant example of how to make one. Where Ever Batman V Superman failed Civil War triumphed and for that I loved every single moment of it.

Now you can call me a Marvel fan boy, and say that Batman V Superman has a plot so deep I don’t understand it. But in reality, Civil War is just a better movie. And just because you can’t explain a movie on its first viewing doesn’t mean it has a complex plot. It could also mean that the movie is bad.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Captain America: Civil War is the best movie I have seen all summer. It is a triumph in every way and it is not something that should be missed. Check it out in theaters, you won’t be disappointed.

I give Captain America: Civil War a 9.8 out of 10.

Oh and the movie has Marvel’s trademark mid credits scene and after credits scene so make sure you don’t miss it.

Peace!!