Run time: 147 mins Certificate: 12A
Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo.
Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Sebastian Stan.
Release Date: May 6, 2016.
Marvel at it all.
Civil War is a big film, one so big it could have fallen apart easily if it were in the wrong hands, but Joe and Anthony Russo pull it all off deftly. Its both a bombastic smack down of heroes and an emotionally driven thriller, both a culmination of the past 8 years of scene setting the previous Marvel entries have built and a deeply personal tale for the franchises two front men. This is a bar setting event of a film that, like its comic counterpart, will be discussed long into Marvel’s future. Flawless then? Pretty much.
The simple crux of the film is perhaps its main strength. Its a busy scene, with what is arguably the biggest roster of heroes on screen at once, but every character and plot thread is attended to. The heady political cause for the rift in our Avengers is never tip toed around, leading to some sharply written discussions that already deliver before anyone starts throwing punches. Catching War Machine label Captain America as ‘dangerously arrogant’ is just the beginning, and these handful of discussions will have audiences dreading what’s to come with their pinpoint delivery. No matter who’s disagreeing with who however, everything is anchored by the relationship between Cap and his brainwashed pal Bucky and the mission they share. Having this simple but rawly effective thread drive the narrative is a stroke of genius, giving the epic action and personal finale a through line for the audience to care about no matter what. Sometimes the cogs can be felt turning events into place and the film almost globe trots too much for its own good but it never holds the pace back given the urgency of what’s unfolding in front of you.
Having such well developed characters truly helps sell the divide as well, as series veterans and newcomers alike are given well defined motivations, and even those who aren’t given as much screen time generally benefit from having had their personas established prior to even appearing here. You don’t need to be a Marvel buff to understand each sides argument, but Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (writing for Captain America for the third time) don’t shy away from drawing from these characters histories either making these some of the most organic representations written. Tonally this comes across as Marvel’s most confident film yet as well, the Russo’s juggling the cerebral and darker elements along with the levity of the larger than life characters ably, never losing sight of the purpose of each scene to the action or laughs.
Its a wonder then that with so much to achieve in terms of plot and dialogue that Civil War is probably the most action packed Marvel outing to date. From its taut opening sequence to the battle royale on the runway touted in its trailers, Civil War weaves in jaw dropping sequence after jaw dropping sequence, each one so fresh and often introducing a new heroic combatant that fatigue is never in danger of setting in. The Raid-esque influences are intact in Captain America and Bucky’s sublimely shot stairwell escape, the grandiose scale of the Avengers films displayed and bettered in later hero on hero battles, and throughout every sequence the choreography remains truly impressive. All of this is elevated by Trent Opaloch’s defined cinematography, panning angles and still wide shots capturing the action no matter how frantic it gets. Henry Jackman’s subdued score once more delivers as well, his staple electronic beats complimenting the thriller elements well again. More importantly though he fully succeeds in providing gravitas for the grander scenes when needed, his rousing orchestral piece accompanying the airport clash in particular being a prime example.
The moment the Civil War itself is realised on screen in all its glory is a work of beauty, as the two teams charge towards each other to battle in what will likely be called the greatest superhero battle put to screen. Incredible stunt work and seamless CGI is put together in a lengthy battle sequence that somehow manages to give everyone their share of the action and a hilarious quip or two without ever underselling the weight of what you’re witnessing on screen. As expected Spiderman is a joy to watch, almost on scene stealing form, as he swings into battle feeling right at home finally amongst his comic book fellows. Special mention has to be given to Antman as well, his antics and surprisingly ingenious tactics adding so much to the already dizzying battle. Its telling then that the Russo’s still manage to deliver a heart pounding third act even after all this spectacle, dialling down the scale for a far more intimate finale that culminates in what is surely Marvel’s most emotionally charged battle. What makes all of this action all the better however is the fact that the two sides are never clearly cut, and even come that heart wrenching finale you’ll still be unsure as to who you’re backing.
The newcomers on the scene here feel right at home amongst the other Avengers. Tom Holland’s much anticipated turn as Spiderman is just excellent, both in and out of the suit, and from the moment he starts playing off of Tony Stark you’ll have forgotten all about the characters previous incarnations. Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther is the films biggest new asset though, providing a fresh outsiders perspective on the drama that unfolds whilst remaining compelling and intimidating both in and out of the suit. Daniel Brühl’s turn as the villainous Zemo is particularly chilling, and he manages to sell the mystery behind the man right up until all is revealed. He’s a refreshingly grounded villain that remains true his more flamboyant comic counterparts aspirations without ever detracting from the main conflict between our heroes.
The veterans of the Marvel universe all turn in their best performances here, particularly in Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr.’s case as their given some of their finest material yet. Evans once again slips into the role Steve Rogers naturally, bringing the moral immovability of the character to the fore in a convincing way. Even when he finds himself on the other side of the law for Bucky’s sake Evans performs with such physicality and conviction you’re never in any doubt as to how far he’ll go for what he believes in. Playing opposite a more fractured Tony Stark, Downey Jr. bringing his all to the role in ways never seen before, highlights how these virtues could also be considered flaws. Downey Jr. is far more subdued as Stark, joking less given how far the character is pushed as the film transpires, but from his surprisingly effective opening scene this is the most human Stark has ever been. The chemistry between the two is tangibly raw, the knowing glances and vocal scuffles hit home the differences between the two that have been boiling under the surface up until now. Fans of the heroes won’t enjoy seeing the relationship unravel, but the acting chops behind the two undoubtedly sell it.
Between the two lies Sebastian Stan’s Bucky in another fittingly conflicted turn as the tortured assassin. Given that his character drives much of the plot whilst remaining mentally scarred Stan pulls it off well, and to see his character develop as his mind becomes his own leaves you wanting to see more of the man behind the assassin. The rest of the supporting cast fare well, Anthony Mackie’s Falcon and Scarlett Johanson’s Black Widow particularly coming into their own as the characters find their place both in the debate and the frenetic action. For such an ensemble piece even the smaller roles deliver in the time their allotted. Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany sell their minor thread well; and Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle and Emily VanCamp all deliver the goods they have before in their respective roles. The inclusion of William Hurt as General Ross is also a boast of the continuity of the universe that wasn’t vital but makes the premise all the more credible for its inclusion. Lastly it cannot be overstated how much Paul Rudd’s Antman adds to the team dynamic in his few scenes, his comedic delivery bringing the laughs reliably whenever he was tangling foes way above his weight class.
Verdict
Civil War is Marvels biggest and boldest film yet, but at the same time it delivers one of its most personally driven drama’s to date with its most uncompromising storytelling to boot. The way in which it gives its enormous roster of heroes all their due is impressive, but at the same time Evans and Downey Jr. remain the heart and soul of this superhero royal rumble to the very bitter end. The Russo’s have done it again then, and this time on an unprecedented scale. Avengers: Infinity War couldn’t be in safer hands.
Hits
+ Russo’s give the massive cast their time to shine…
+ …but this is a culmination of Captain America’s films at its core.
+ Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. bring their all.
+ Boseman, Holland and Rudd are particular stand outs.
+ Intelligently written, emotionally driven and tonally spot on.
+ Immensely choreographed action no matter how big.
+ Stirring orchestral themes from Jackman.
+ Act 2 and 3 bouts are new benchmarks for hero action.
Misses
– None.
Overall Rating
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