Scene-stealing Spiderman, Ant-Man and Black Panther join the crew in one of Marvel's most spectacular and ambitious yet poignant films to date.
Captain America: Civil War has got us all talking and taking sides. For months, we've seen the build-up to this super showdown (yes, even more super than our friends Superman and Batman) - heck, it even got me to my first ever midnight screening so I'm now writing this at 3am chaps. With its predecessor The Winter Soldier being one of my all-time favourite Marvel installments, and following the somewhat slight disappointment of The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Civil War is a chance for Marvel to re-take the reigns on defining what a superhero movie should be. And it really does.
You probably shouldn't watch this without seeing both the previous films, particularly Age of Ultron as you have the events and consequences of Sokovia playing an underlying part. To recap, an entire city fell. Or something like that; Ultron was pretty confusing. Government regulation named "The Accords" in response to 'enhanced' people wreaking havoc on their own terms even if not intentionally is proposed, and it's this that acts as the catalyst for splitting the Avengers team. It's not an Avengers film because Thor and Hulk are missing, but it basically is character-wise as the whole party's invited. What makes it Captain America through and through, however, is the Captain (obvs) and his story being the prevalent backbone, particularly with childhood friend-turned-brainwashed-Soviet-spy Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier. It links to the previous film nicely with clear continuity and right at the heart of it, it's still Steve's undying loyalty to his old pal...even if he is like a remote-controlled killing machine.
Steve Rogers is a character that has grown on audiences, from the much underrated first Captain America (overshadowed by Iron Man back then) to cementing status as Avengers leader - his trilogy has also gotten better each time (soz Iron Man). You can definitely see Chris Evans ease effortlessly into the role he's completely made his own, this time with way more depth and conflict that messes with his black-and-white moral conscience. He's more dangerous this way.
What is handled extremely well is the combination of characters/superheroes, whether leading or supporting in an ensemble, that treads a fine line without getting too crowded (take note DC Comics). We have two dividing teams and quite the fair fight, but also decent individual character storylines that don't seem shoehorned in (take note DC Comics), particularly with the new ones. We switch between numerous sub-plots but it doesn't take away from the plot and main event - in fact, it enhances it which is extremely difficult for a film to do. Returning directors Anthony and Joe Russo know what they're doing. Also, everyone has their reasons for siding which gives us further insights into these characters we've grown to know and love over the years...and there are surprises. Bet you didn't expect to see Cap and Black Widow on opposing teams? Or any of them, for that matter? Yeah, they're taking on their former/current friends but it somehow works. Epic battle scenes don't get more epic than this.
We get an excellent first look at the new Spiderman, and since that reveal in the trailer, this is probably one of the main things that will get people racing to the cinemas. With big spidey boots to fill, Tom Holland replaces Andrew Garfield as a younger actor (and former Billy Elliott so he's got the moves!) and honestly he does not disappoint. Seriously, I want to be friends with him! Each time the red-suited teenager revamps, it gets fresher, and this reincarnation brings us an eager kid who's completely new to the game joining Team Iron Man. And some brilliantly funny lines, and lots of lines because he's a chatterbox. And also a flawless American accent. Wish I could say the same about Surprise-it's-Martin-Freeman! Martin Freeman.
The Black Panther is also a more-than-noteworthy addition, and I expect he'll be the subtle showstopper clawing his way into our post-film conversations. He's like Wolverine and just as angry, except faster, treads lighter on the ground (sorry Logan), more poignant...and he's royalty. Chadwick Boseman does not have an extensive filmography to his name but he is perfectly cast and a real asset to this movie. I can't detail the whole squad without writing a 10000 word essay because there's just so many of them, but I will say Ant-Man is more than the comic relief and will catch your attention, and Emily VanCamp's return as former S.H.I.E.L.D agent Sharon is a welcome one. You also get more pivotal moments with some of the previously-overlooked characters.
Each plot of each Captain America film takes a slightly different angle. Here, we have themes like redemption and control and defiance and loyalty. The synopses and trailers tell us it's all about accepting government oversight or living outside of the law, but there's more to it, so much so that it all gets tangled up yet it makes such clear sense. At the heart of it, Cap is just protecting his friend. At one point Bucky questions whether he's really worth all this hassle because let's face it, it's like babysitting a very troublesome child. But there are bigger things at stake here, like who is right or wrong; if you firmly believe something, should you be governed and move, or wait until they move? It's all very deep and mature and that. It also doesn't follow the now-cliche supervillain plot, and this is a refreshing change but also big risk. We've seen Marvel grow up. Yes, there's bad guys - but who are the real bad guys? Isn't it Captain America? Or is it Iron Man? Or is it both? Aren't superheroes supposed to be the good guys? Is your head spinning now? Sometimes the real battle and fall lies within the empire (cough, civil war, cough).
Although it is fairly close to it, it's not faultless. And there are questions I had with the film's primary villain played by Daniel Brühl, the mastermind of all masterminds and whether this is actually feasible. Yes, I know it's the Marvel Universe where a big giant monster (currently AWOL) jumps from New York skyscrapers, but there are bigger question marks at hand here. Without going into detail, this guy's gotta be damn resourceful and my skeptical mind needed slightly more convincing evidence. Also, the fight and combat scenes are really really great, but some of it does get lost in the camera angles. You gotta really be following the camera.
In true Marvel style, there are twists and turns and this time it's handled rather maturely and its the most emotion-driven it has ever been. You can tick off the slick Marvel humour, too. And the Stan Lee cameo is awesome. Also for the record, there are mid and post-credits scenes (but we all know that by now because nobody dares to move from their seats).
With Civil War we not only get some of the best super-fights that will ever grace our screens, but also a thought-provoking film with well-earned familiarity but simultaneously pushes into new realms. It goes further with its questions: On whose 'authority' should you act? Can you trust this authority? And what do you do when you don't? To make the unavoidable comparison, it's a deja vu plot point with Batman v Superman but this one just makes more sense. It's a cinematic extravaganza and a masterclass not just for superhero movies, but big Hollywood blockbusters all over. It's also yet another gamechanger in the Marvel world (no further spoilers). I'll happily watch it again - it's entertaining, exhilarating, and exhausting in the best way possible. What on earth comes next!?
- Friday, April 29, 2016
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