Summary: 3.8999/5. Wonderful superhero film and Marvel delivers yet again. The characters get a lot of interesting development, and the plot is well planned and executed. Just goes to show what you can achieve with a shared universe done well.
Plot: A veteran goes against a broken cocky man in a tin can with a black cat and a teenager who learnt to shoot sticky white substance 6 months ago. Mid way through the movie, the veteran calls his gang of army bros and they cause a big ruckus at an airport.
Howdy there mates spoilers ahead
Basically, in this movie the UN wants to make the Avengers their standing army, to control them and use them. Cap doesn’t trust them because of hidden agendas and Tony thinks their a loose cannon that needs to be controlled. Meanwhile, Bucky reappears in Cap’s life and a hidden scheme is developed.
Again, let’s start with my favourite part of every movies, the characters:
This movie has done something that something that Marvel has been struggling to do. Set up a good villain. Baron Zemo is smart, and his diabolical plan is hidden but when it all ends it hits a big punch. His monologue showed his vulnerability and he was so well written. From the beginning his cruelty and smarts are shown when we are first introduced to him. We have him tricking a Hydra agent to let him in his house very slyly, and then he drowns the agent a sink to show his character. This just shows his entire character in one simple scene that makes him memorable unlike ahem, other ahem phase 2 villains. Then we have him get a “phone call” which seems very intimate yet he does not show any emotion, which hints that something happened to his family and that that is his motivation. Then we have the big reveal with a Daredevil level good monologue and we find out it’s a recording. Damn son that hits hard, and it perfectly shows his motivation. See DC!!! Not that hard to make a good diabolical villain is it?? If this quality of villains continue in Phase 3 then Marvel has solved one of their films biggest problems.
Next Blank Panther and Spidey, the new peeps. Blank Panther’s character is very well developed. He shows his power, his ability to fight and also his powers as a king. This is a great way to establish a character in a non-solo movie. Awesome fight scenes, with amazing moves. His powers as a king was hilariously and awesomely portrayed in him finding Bucky in a day when Shield couldn’t for 75 years and his threats to Bucky. His character furthers the theme where vengeance blinds the characters and he also shows how he is growing more diplomatic, just like his father wants him to, like when he didn’t continue to fight Bucky under the bridge but just unmasked himself instead. Spidey was absolutely perfect. He quips just like he should. He is young just like he should be. He is inexperienced, underestimated but strong and capable, just like he should be. Now i cannot wait for either of their solo movies. Oh yes and both characters were again perfectly casted, well done Marvel, Chadwick Boseman and Tom Holland.
Wanda (scarlet witch) and Vision. Hooof they definitely increase they punching power in both teams. But they don’t end there. They have an interesting discussion about power and identity which in less than 4 minutes shows Wanda’s fear of her own power (hulk got a counselling buddy) and Vision being unsure what he is. This can be seen as both film deepness but also for any popcorn eating movie goer (me). See DC!!! Not hard to be deep huh?
I must say even the absence of thor and hulk furthers their character. Thor is a responsible god now. And hulk is really scared of his powers.
Now on to the actual civil war. Like the war war and the commanders.
On the left side we have Iron Mannnn. You could tell from the beginning of the film that he was broken, lonely and guilty. He feels hurt about his parents. And his guilt led him to a break up. He is desperate for an answer and he gets one with the accords. He thinks that he needs someone to control him to guide him. And they don’t establish this just here but also in previous movie, Iron Man 3 and Avengers. You could tell his motivation and you don’t blame him. And this is what differentiates “He killed my mother!” from “martha!!” . Because you could tell that all this boiled up hurt and anger and guilt is just exploding t Bucky. Hell Cmon just wanting to kill someone who choked your mother and plummeted your dad seems like a reasonable excuse to be overridden with anger.
On the right side we have OMG Cappppp. You get all overlaying reasons with Cap too. Him feeling like the leader of this Avengers family, and he wants to protect them. You see him go from patriot to being painfully backstabbed by Hydra run shield which breeds his lack of trust (rmbr this being a major theme in Winter Soldier oooo development). Then you have him wanting to reconnect with his close friend Bucky which is established from the beginning of thee movie. Then you have this nailed home with the death of the love of his life. Great motivation. But one gripe. God damn Sharon Carter. Really. No. stop shoehorning romance, No. No. Ugh.
And with this they have an amazing clash of ideologies which are both justified. They made nerds and geeks all over the world watch a debate about power and authority dammit. Look at that. You could tell the reason for the fighting and this actually throws you in and makes you choose a side, being much more invested. Wooo debate woop. See DC! Make a smart movie that can be a film and a popcorn movie. Stop saying Marvel is ooo only about talking racoons and metal flying men. They have heart! And character! Not sloppily done mess of a “ooo look at me I am deep and insightful ooo”. Still angry.
And the war man. That fight scene at the airport is amazing. Wonderfully planned action which uses all the heroes abilities and was funny too. Oh Marvel, what did i do to deserve you?
Now. List of awesome moments. Giantman. Werrrp. Antman on an arrow. Werrrp. Spidey. Werrrp. Wanda friggin destroying vision. Werrrp. Ohk.
Now the cons.
Pacing was a tad weird, kinda slow at the beginning but again, still appreciate the effort for character development. Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch is also very awkward, with motivations weirdly unjustified. And the marketing was weird. It;s not even really a cap movie. Meh.
So, Civil War was great, great and great. It opens phase 3 well and sends ripples which have some really cool effects on the MCU. Fun!
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Batman Dies
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