Following up Marvel’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War is the latest chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe from Winter Soldier filmmakers, the Russo Brothers.
In just 8 short years, Marvel Studios has brought the comic book mythology to film, establishing several franchises and then bringing them together. It’s simple to forget how unheard of a concept that was previously; with 2012’sThe Avengers having Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson share the screen together.
The Brothers Russo have done it again; with Civil War replacing the action-packed Winter Soldier as the very best in the Marvel filmography. On top of the already large cast, Civil War introduces two major heroes to the Marvel pantheon including the introduction of comics’ first African American hero Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and the “They FINALLY Got it RIGHT”! onscreen Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland) is as pure perfection as Ivory Soap claims (99.9%, last time I checked).
Captain America: Civil War is pure Ever-Lovin’ Merry Marvel Marchin’ Society joy. ‘Nuff said!
We’re just now coming out of a post-holiday The Force Awakens/Deadpool/Batman v Superman/Supergirl Season Onehibernation that never seemed to end. Except now that it has. Some of that stuff was amazing, some not so much but mostly we fed off of the superhero movies and television send down the pike to us.
After leaving Captain America: Civil War, that all seemed like an appetizer for this souped up thrill ride from Wakanda to Berlin.
With longtime Cap baddie Helmut (Baron) Zemo (Daniel Brühl) as the film’s main foil, the Avengers face challenges more complex than infighting over political differences.
For a brief moment—a very brief moment—I was vibrating on all the right frequencies with this movie. And then I thought of the rights situation at Fox. The only thing that could have made this film more enjoyable for me would be to see Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine take a swat at Cap’s shield and scrape it up a bit. Black Panther does manage to damage the Vibranium shield, so that is something. There are no mutants in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Bryan Singer is doing a fine job with the X-Men franchise but I can’t help but want to see everyone on screen mixed up with a wise-cracking Peter Parker, a no-good Scott Lang and a beautifully crafted Vision.
Seriously, The Vision looks so cool. I have a note that says only, “The Vision looks cool”. A better writer would have left it at that. While I’m agape at the costumes and visuals, I will also compliment Boseman for his stellar debut as Black Panther and I can’t wait to see more of him. Black Panther costume? Nailed it. Spider-Man? Best one yet.
There are great little bits of humor to break up the high tension, and the Russo Brothers even snuck in a funny visual homage to their former gig as directors of Arrested Development during the fight scene.
Want some romance? Check! Cap finally seals the deal (in a very proper, polite, 1940s way) with Agent 13 (Emily VanCamp), with whom we discover has a special connection to Steve. No spoilers here but this is the clever nod to another established Marvel character.
[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]