Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures; theatrical poster for Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The last Captain America movie (and somewhat third Avengers film), this Marvel Cinematic Universe version of Civil War still remains excellent as ever.
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Two years ago, I wrote a review of Captain America: Civil War (2016) for the FanSided Network’s Spider-Man fan site, Whatever A Spider Can. As you can probably guess, it’s from a particular perspective. It’s also written from a time when, after seeing it in theaters on opening day, this third entry into the Captain America series still remained fresh within my enthusiastic brain. Not even a spiting headache caused by watching it in 3D could ruin my viewing experience.
I’ve seen Civil War several more times since then. If you saw how I ranked the Marvel Studios movies, then you may already know I still hold this movie in very high regard. So, too, do a lot of other Marvel movie fans, critics, and general audiences worldwide. After all, it’s inspired by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven’s hugely popular Marvel Comics limited series.
I argued at the time, and I still do, that what Anthony and Joe Russo made was a film which surpassed its original comic book roots in nearly every respect. The question of registering the Avengers and “enhanced humans” had an international scope. The central conflict naturally grew from what happened in previous films. It was also far more personal, with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Shaw) as a catalyst, framed for a terrorist bombing he didn’t commit. It even seamlessly throws in a Black Panther origin story and the MCU debut of Spider-Man.
Yet once again, I’m taking another look at this film with a particular perspective. With Avengers: Infinity War a mere three weeks away at the time of this writing, what impact does Civil War have on it? Given much of it takes place on Earth with little cosmic interference, does it even have any impact at all? First, however, let’s remind ourselves why the thirteenth Marvel Studios film turned out as well as it did.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures; from Captain America: Civil War (2016)
What worked?
When it comes to modern action film-making, the Russo Brothers are at the top of their game. Their prowess on Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) is what guaranteed their contract with Marvel Studios to direct another Captain America sequel. Sure enough, their skill and craft on Winter Soldier transferred over to Captain America: Civil War and then some. Each set-piece, from the opening attack by Crossbones (Frank Grillo) in Lagos to a pursuit across Bucharest’s Messedamm Underpass, has clarity, precision, and perfect pacing.
Yet it’s the brawl at the Leipzig/Halle airport that’s the film’s true highlight. It’s one thing for The Avengers (2012) having six different superheroes on-screen fighting an alien invasion like. It’s quite another having twelve different superheroes fighting among one another, each with their own distinctive look, personality, powers, moves and–most important of all–reason for being there. If Winter Soldier earned the Russo Brothers Civil War, then Civil War earned them Avengers: Infinity War.
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Of course the action wouldn’t work as well as it does if we didn’t care about each of these characters. Watching the previous installments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe does help, but even if you haven’t, you still understand where each person is coming from. Despite a script that juggles nearly twenty different roles, each one of them has their moment in the spotlight. There’s not a single wasted part (save one) or needless cameo appearance. Writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFreely deserve as much credit as the Russo Brothers for that alone.
Moreover, Civil War is as much Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) story as it is Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans). This is logical considering both are on opposite sides of the movie’s ideological divide. What’s smart is that film doesn’t vilify Tony or favor Steve. Each have valid reasons for supporting or opposing the “Sokovia Accords” based on who they are and their own personal guilt. This isn’t a story of heroes vs. villains; it’s a story of two good, principled, but flawed men forced into becoming enemies despite their friendship. It makes for great drama, and results in some of the best performances in Evans and Downey’s careers.
Speaking of acting, the newcomers are great, too. Chadwick Boseman makes for a perfect (and badass) T’Challa/Black Panther. Daniel Brühl is a surprisingly sympathetic and Machiavellian Helmut Zemo. And of course, Tom Holland as the new Peter Parker/Spider-Man is an absolute delight.
Finally, while I’m sure some will see the final act twist coming (especially if they’ve watched Captain America: The Winter Soldier) it’s still effective and quite shocking. I’ll talk more about it when we discuss how Civil War will impact Avengers: Infinity War. For now, I will say that what makes it great isn’t just the potential ramifications moving forward, but how it stemmed entirely from character-driven storytelling. It’s a small, but powerful, example of why Civil War stands as one of the best of the Marvel Studios movies.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures; from Captain America: Civil War (2016)
What didn’t work?
Seeing as how much I really liked Civil War, it’s challenging coming up with flaws without sounding like I’m nitpicking (from the “Nerdy Nitpicks” guy, no less). I could mention how Zemo doesn’t wear his signature purple baklava, Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) is too young, or how Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie) apparently doesn’t know how to count. Yet there is one which, while it doesn’t ruin the film, certainly called into question the question of taking risks. I’m talking, of course, about the crippling of James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle). Quite frankly, he should’ve died.
True, the fracturing of his spine and losing his ability to walk does show real consequence. It also isn’t the point of no return as far as the conflict between the conflict over registration goes, though it’s pretty close. The real problem is once Rhodey slams into the ground after all falling several thousand feet, only to still be alive, all the tension evaporates. At that moment, you know there are boundaries the film, and the MCU, will not cross.
Another glaring flaw is the romantic subplot between Steve and Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp). While it does stem from The Winter Soldier, it feels oddly out-of-place compared with everything else. The proof of this is once Steve and Sharon kiss, that’s the last we ever see of her. Besides, Steve macking on the niece of the love of his life (Hayley Atwell) a mere day after the funeral of said love of his life feels just wrong on so many levels.
I’d also say that Zemo’s master plan does require some leaps in logic to work. You could even make an argument how the debate over the “Sokova Accords” takes a backseat to Cap protecting a known ex-Soviet assassin from the authorities. Even so, when you watch Civil War for the first time, or several times, such apparent flaws are still easy to overlook.
Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures; from Captain America: Civil War (2016)
How will the events of this movie play into Infinity War?
In terms of wider canon of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the events as depicted in Civil War couldn’t have happened at a worse time. S.H.I.E.L.D. is disbanded. Thor and Hulk are missing. Cap, Hawkeye (Sebastian Stan), Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson), Falcon, Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olson), and Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) are fugitives. Iron Man, an injured War Machine, and the Vision (Paul Bettany) are the only active Avengers left. That leaves Earth extremely vulnerable heading into Infinity War.
Then there’s Tony learning about his parent’s murder at the hands of a brainwashed Bucky. Even worse, Cap knew about it all along, at least since Winter Soldier. All throughout Civil War, Tony gives Steve many chances, until that very moment. Based on the Infinity War’s trailers, it still appears Steve and Tony haven’t reconciled. Steve still doesn’t even have his shield back, having left it behind after Tony told him, “That shield doesn’t belong to you. You don’t deserve it.”
Still, it’s not all bad news. Bucky, as seen in the mid-credits scene, undergoes cryogenic freeze in Wakanda until they remove his Hydra programming. This also, undoubtedly, means Black Panther and all of Wakanda are behind our heroes, and will likely help bridge the divide between them. Not to mention Spider-Man is now an Avenger-in-training.
The real ramification from Civil War however, one which the film gently slides in, is the relationship between Wanda/Scarlet Witch and The Vision. Comic book readers know this is a classic romantic pairing, so it’s not surprising the MCU would move in this rather unusual direction. In a way, it makes more sense here given both characters are a product of the Mind Stone. On top of this, it’s also clear Vision’s feelings for Wanda are a sign how he’s evolving into something more human. by the time Avengers: Infinity War, it’s very likely we’ll see them as star-crossed lovers.
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