On this corner: Team Captain America. Or this side: Team Iron Man. The “Avengers” go to battle in “Captain America: Civil War.” Our J.P. and Richard have their takes on the latest Marvel film.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
Walt Disney Studios / Marvel Studios
Rating: PG-13
U.S. Release date: May 6, 2016
Running Time: 147.5 min.
Directors: Anthony & Joe Russo
Producer: Kevin Feige
Executive Producers: Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Nate Moore, Stan Lee
Screenplay by: Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely
Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Frank Grillo, Martin Freeman with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl
Studio Synopsis:
Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral
damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resultng in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.
JP’s Take:
(Marvel Studios / Walt Disney Studios)
The third chapter in the “Captain America” saga pits hero against hero in “Civil War.” In this direct follow-up to “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” Earth’s mightiest heroes are caught in the throes of battle with a new evil doer, while facing an intra-factional dilemma brought on by politics.
During a mission in Lagos, Nigeria, the Avengers attempt to thwart the efforts of Brock Rumlow a.k.a Crossbones (Frank Grillo) who steals a biological weapon. While Crossbones makes his get away, he is apprehended by Captain and Scarlett Witch a.k.a.Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), where as a last resort he proceeds to set off a suicide bomb. In a life saving gesture, Scarlett contains the blast with a force field, then levitates him away from the crowd. Not realizing that she’s putting the lives of an occupied building in danger. She floats him 11 stories up where the blast goes off, killing Wakandan relief workers and nearly leveling several buildings surrounding them.
This devastating mishap gave the United Nations cause for pause, as they believe the Avengers pose just as much of a threat to humanity, as the villains they apprehend. Therefore, the “accords” were proposed, as a measure to keep the super crew in check. The shifting political viewpoints within the Avengers, about these restrictions, divide the group in half.
Leave it to Marvel and Disney to tell a parable that pulls directly from today’s news headlines. One that connects on many levels in sighting issues as immigration, terrorism, even our right to choose, becoming an integral part of the heroes’ world as they would in the real world. Yet you won’t find this awesomely action packed juggernaut drowning in pretentiousness. Comedic prose is a mainstay of Marvel’s universe and there is plenty here to keep much of the kinetic clashes from waring on the senses. The characters develop just enough of a conscience to etch out meaningful conversations about their differences, before it’s back to the war machine; fighting among themselves and the baddies. However, dialogue is adequate when expressing multiple political angles, without delving into deeper philosophical discussion.
Aside from the “trouble with the Avengers” story, the last hour focuses on the titular character and brings his story to the forefront. On a personal mission, Captain risks becoming a traitor after trying to clear the name of his old pal James “Bucky” Barnes (Sebastian Stan), for acts of terrorism. A poignant moment rears its head as Tony Starks (Robert Downey, Jr. learns the truth behind his parents’ death. Vision (Paul Bettany) and Wanda draw closer to one another as their new friendship blooms. A giddy meeting between the spunky Peter Parker a.k.a Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Tony Stark sparks chuckles from the viewers. Towards the end, you’ll witness a thunderous showdown between Captain and Ironman that will have you on edge.
As for the new comers joining the camp, fresh faced Holland puts on a spry performance as Peter Parker. I enjoyed his comical antics and peppy portrayal. The majestic Black Panther, explodes on the silver screen with marvel-ous results. The coolly talented Chadiwick Boseman who gives a noteworthy performance depicts him. Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter — niece to Margaret “Peggy” Carter — gives an understated performance and proves useful. Paul Rudd as Scott Lang a.k.a Ant-Man also provides pint sized comedy and is given much to do here as in his solo release. Minus Hulk and Thor, much of the original cast from “The Winter Soldier” reprises their roles. Again, character development is sharp and very much embedding in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU). There is a mounting list of well-known actors/actresses to list here. I won’t list them all, yet you’ll be pleased to know the all put on a great show.
“Captain America: Civil War” is a fantastic example filmmaking awesomeness by the Russo Brothers, Anthony and Joe. They’ve poured their hearts and souls into this project and did not disappoint. As a general rule, with many of Marvel’s films it’s best to stay in your seats, there will be some fun sneak peeks.
Richard’s Quick Take:
I guess this year’s theme in cinematic presentations is the battle of the superheroes. Following the recent “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” entry, Marvel brings their’s battle royale with their popular comic personalities.
This film, “Captain America: Civil War,” continues the story of the last entry of the “Captain America” headline film, 2014’s “The Winter Soldier,” where Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) relationship with his friend Bucky Barns (Sebastian Stan) is the primary focus. But, at the same time, the film is also a follow-up to the events of what happened to “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” So, basically, you have two films continuing their respective storylines.
Although this Capt. America feature is loosely based on the “Civil War” story of the Marvel Comics series, this film, to me, feels like it should have been called “Avengers 3,” since many of the characters are from the “Avengers” film – only Hulk and Thor are missing from the ensemble. Of course, Marvel has bigger plans with the “Avengers” with the forthcoming two-part series “Infinity War,” set for release in 2018 and 2019. To film also acts as an introduction to T’Challa / Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and a new Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who are getting their own standalone films.
The best parts of the film are the interactions (and fights) between Robert Downey, Jr.’s Iron Man and Evans’ Captain America. The actors do a fantastic job in creating the tension and what leads up to their conflict. Personally, the film could have just featured the two of them going at each other. The rest of the characters, including an appearance of Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), is pretty much window dressing to Captain America and Iron Man. Once again, I felt Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow were underused with their supporting characters.
I have always enjoyed Marvel’s attempt to bring action and comedic moments to their movies. This film continues that tradition with one-liners.
While the film is two-and-half hour long, “Civil War” keeps the pace going with the fight sequences and dramatic moments (whether the Avengers are helping or hurting the people of Earth) in a lineup that you don’t realize the length of the movie. I enjoyed watching the film, but I still think the film should have been call “Avengers 3” or “The Battle of Captain America and Iron Man.”