Movie Review: Captain America: Civil War (2016)

As someone who has collected, lived, and breathed comic books since he learned how to read, Civil War remains one of the most memorable yet consequential comic book events I have witnessed and which Marvel has ever released in its publishing history. Written by Mark Millar and illustrated by Steve McNiven, this 2006 miniseries saw a Super Human Registration Act put into effect that required heroes to register themselves to the government, be trained, and reveal their identities to the public for purposes of accountability and safety. This act immediately divided heroes and allies alike, with Iron Man championing the cause of pro-registration while Captain America campaigned against the act for taking away their civil liberties. As a result, it was friend against friend and former teammates fighting against one another – dividing the superhuman community and forever changing the entire landscape of the Marvel Universe as we know it.

With an epic premise like that containing a lot of exposition and characters, it’s hard to imagine how Marvel Studios and Disney actually decided on adapting the concept and turning it into “Captain America: Civil War” - the 13th entry in the growing Marvel Cinematic Universe that pretty much sums up all the consequences and activities that the heroes have to deal with since the Avengers were formed. Tasking Joe and Anthony Russo with the responsibility of telling the tale, the directors of 2014’s highly successful “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” were more than well equipped to handle things… And I dare say after seeing the movie that they have created what is likely the best damn “Superhero Ensemble Cast Movie” that takes everything you love about Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and injecting it into a story that still retains the political thriller atmosphere that made The Winter Soldier great while revolving around the personal lives and relationships shared by friends and allies - particularly Captain America and Iron Man - now divided and turned enemies because of circumstance and necessity.

This review is certainly not for those who have yet to watch, and I can only warn you now with a considerate SPOILER WARNING tag here and now. Whether you're for Team Cap or Team Iron Man, the stakes are intense and high in what introduces "Phase Three" of the MCU into the Hollywood blockbuster scene.

Opening today in theaters in the Philippines and in the US on May 6, allow me to share my thoughts on “Captain America: Civil War”. Big thanks once again goes to Marvel Philippines and Walt Disney Studios Philippines for inviting me to the special advanced screening last April 25th at SM Megamall!

Picking right up after the events of 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War sees Steve Rogers/ Cap and Black Widow leading a new team of Avengers consisting of Falcon, War Machine, The Scarlet Witch, and Vision and taking on various missions that require superhuman assistance. However when an international incident is sparked in the streets of Nigeria as a result of their intervention, the world's leaders decide to intervene and introduce the "Sokovia Accords" - requiring the Avengers to submit to government supervision and be held accountable when necessary. Cap and a few others don't support the act as it would literally give up the team's autonomy and freedom to choose, but Tony Stark/ Iron Man and other members of the Avengers decide to stand by and support the government's decision based on the accountability of their actions in past events. Things are further provoked by a terrorist attack that kills more innocents and implicates Cap's former WWII partner and best friend Bucky Barnes, aka the brainwashed assassin known as The Winter Soldier. As a result, Earth's Mightiest Heroes are divided - with Team Cap out to fight the hidden enemy and resist the act while Team Iron Man follows the system and hunts down former allies turned outlaws.



Marvel's Captain America: Civil War - Trailer 2
As a film that builds on the foundations set upon past installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America: Civil War will thrill, reward, and deliver more action, twists, and surprises than any of the previous movies Marvel Studios has chugged together. Gathering together an ensemble cast that features Chris Evans returning as Cap/ Steve Rogers and Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/ Iron Man is just literally the tip of the iceberg. These guys know their roles so well and play it out like second nature that it is foolhardy to think as a viewer that these two weren't going to come to blows sooner or later. The seeds and teases were laid out as early as the first two Avengers films whenever Steve and Tony come into conflict with each other, and this film gave the perfect reason and then some for them to finally come to blows... With their respective allies, associates, and interlopers caught right in the middle.

Also, I can honestly say that this film made perfect use of The Winter Soldier after his introduction in 2014, and Sebastian Stan adds another groundbreaking layer to Bucky Barnes that will totally wow fans and blow their minds away. The Russos played their cards well as directors of Cap's second film in the MCU, and now they show how much their dedication and hardwork paid off in Civil War. Much like Batman v Superman and admittedly by their comments in interviews, this movie is a deconstruction of the superhero genre, and nothing will ever be the same once it's said and done.

Naturally, the rest of the Avengers minus Thor and Hulk are present in this film - Anthony Mackie and Don Cheadle return as Cap and Iron Man's best pals Falcon and War Machine respectively, while Scarlett Johansson once again embodies the covert op beauty of a spy known as the Black Widow. Then we have Paul Bettany reprising his role as the powerful android called "Vision", and Elizabeth Olsen growing more into her role as the magical hex user known as the Scarlet Witch. Oh, and we see Jeremy Renner kick more ass back as Hawkeye and Paul Rudd lending his smart mouth and size changing powers as the Astonishing Ant-Man. This film is stacked... Along with the introduction of Chadwick Boseman as T'challa, aka The Black Panther, who has his own score to settle during the events of the film.

Of course, one of the BIGGEST THINGS about Captain America: Civil War is the long awaited introduction of Spider-Man to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he is played by young British actor Tom Holland - who just embodies everything a fan would want to see in a High School-aged Peter Parker. He and Downey's Tony Stark share a nice introduction moment that leads to the wallcrawler's enlistment in Team Iron Man, and from there we are treated to one of the best highlights of the film during the third act that should not be missed. The trailers and TV spots may have shows some bits and pieces, but you NEED to see Holland perform as Spidey by watching this movie... It will NOT DISAPPOINT and sets up next year's Spider-Man Homecoming amazingly!

So yeah... In case it hasn't been spelled out properly, Captain America: Civil War is a MUST SEE, and is arguably the BEST FILM IN THE MCU I HAVE SEEN YET. It combines the epic feeling of action you get from the Avengers while maintaining that thriller aspect and mystery that made The Winter Soldier such a successful Captain America story. Bottomline, this will change EVERYTHING about the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it... And sets up the long road again to Avengers: Infinity War which will reunite the heroes and then some. The drums of war are calling people... And I give this film a BIG THUMBS UP!

Oh, and PLEASE STAY AND SEE THE MID AND POST CREDITS SCENES!XD

Rating - 5/5