For months now, Marvel fans have been choosing their side of the upcoming Civil War: Team Cap or Team Iron Man. And now that ‘Captain America: Civil War’ is here, viewers get a chance to see whether they’ve made the right call.
In ‘Civil War’, the Avengers new and original (although minus heavy-hitters Thor and the Hulk) find themselves divided over the controversial Sokovia Accords. Created in response to the destruction wrought around the globe by the team and their enemies, the Accords seek to control the Avengers, and would see a governing body decide which battles are worth fighting.
It’s a complex political and philosophical choice, and after the events of ‘Age Of Ultron’, playboy and all-round rule breaker Tony Stark is more than happy to sign on. Captain America, concerned about the political agendas at play, refuses. With the Avengers divided, the re-emergence of the Winter Soldier might well be the catalyst to an all-out war.
‘Civil War’ heralds the end of Marvel’s Phase Two, and the start of Phase Three, and given the calibre of acting from the newest additions to the franchise, Phase Three looks set to continue the trend of intelligent, stunningly-choreographed movies. Newest addition, The Black Panther (played with scene-stealing charm by Chadwick Boseman) looks especially likely to win fans and redefine the genre when his movie is released in 2018.
The beauty of Marvel movies is their focus on storytelling. While the explosions and fight choreography in ‘Civil War’ are visually stunning, edge-of-your-seat extravaganzas, they exist only to further the story. This isn’t an action movie for the sake of violence, so much as an adventure-filled romp through the complexities of differing moral stances.
Whichever side of the war you want to see win, it’s hard not to see the value of their opposition, harder still not to be sympathetic to each side’s plight, and the sacrifices they make for the cause. Marvel makes a point of showing that despite it all, these are friends, not enemies, and the conflict is painful for all involved.
There’s an emotional toll in Marvel movies that doesn’t see much air time in other superhero fare. Whether it’s The Cap’s near suicidal recklessness, Wanda’s guilt and fear, or Tony’s PTSD, we’re offered a glimpse into the psyches behind our beloved heroes, and their intrinsic humanity. It makes for powerful viewing.
As is standard in Marvel movies, the acting is superb, though there are clear stand-outs. Sebastian Stan and Chadwick Boseman steal the show near constantly, and though Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch gets nowhere near enough screen time, she gives the sort of stellar performance more than worthy of a movie of her own.
If you like character growth and contemplation in your action movies, and love good storytelling, then it’s a safe bet you’ve already booked your ticket to ‘Civil War’. But if you’ve hesitated, worried that it’d be another pretty but pointless superhero flick, you’re in luck. ‘Civil War’ seems to be a prime example of the heights superhero movies are capable of reaching.
Just remember: don’t leave before the credits.
★★★★★
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