CAPTAIN America (Chris Evans) faces off against Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) as the Avengers are torn apart and battle to the death in “Captain America: Civil War.”
In the months since the Avengers destroyed the monstrous Ultron (in “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), the Manhattan-based superhero team, led by the 85-year-old sentinel of liberty who still has the powerful secret solider serum coursing through his veins that was injected into him during World War II, takes down one likewise super-powered villain after another.
This time the Avengers are called into action in Lagos, Nigeria where the menacing Crossbones (Frank Grillo) and his gang of thieves and cutthroats are attempting to steal vials of lethal nerve gas. Of course the Avengers prevail but in their wake, a massive explosion at a nearby UN Assembly kills hundreds of innocents.
This is enough for the United Nations who then compels the Avengers to surrender their independence to the global governing body. Of course Captain America respectively declines, feeling that the super-powered Avengers are better left alone—but Tony Stark—who is financially bankrolling the Avengers and is himself, Iron Man feels otherwise.
Now add machinations of Baron Zero (Daniel Brühl) a neo-Nazi who has a seething hatred for the erstwhile Captain and is secretly manipulating both Stark and Captain America to come to blows.
“Captain America: Civil War” is the most exciting, thrilling action adventure movie of 2016 and by far the best Marvel superhero movie ever presented.
It is near flawless filmmaking and kudos go to the directing duo brothers Anthony and Joe Russo (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”) as well as exceptional screenplay writing from Christopher Markus and Stephen McFreeley.
Without question the glaring difference in superhero movies offered recently by DC Comics (“Batman v Superman”) and this current Captain America/Marvel film is the emphasis Marvel Studios places on story and characters.
Special effects are a given and you know it will be spectacular—but Marvel continues to push forward its cinematic universe, this time with the brilliant addition of the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and the third (and best) incarnation of Spider-Man (Tom Holland).
This is masterful storytelling and has elements of all three Captain America film rolled into one.
As the Avengers eat themselves from within, there are more super powered people flying, crushing vehicles and running faster than a Porsche.
Because of the marvelous script and exceptional actors, you can understand that both Stark, and Captain America’s alter ego Steve Rogers, are both correct. The Avengers are needed to face down villains that non-super powered police can’t … but at what cost?
Also added is the deepening romantic relationship between Rogers and Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) even as Rogers’ first true love from WWII, Peggy Carter (Haley Atwell), is laid to rest in the film’s opening.
“Captain America: Civil War” is far more than a comic book come to life. It has a richness and vibrancy all its own and projects quiet, powerful statements about the abuse of power.
I actually was rooting for “Team Iron Man” against Captain America and his squad of “New Avengers” because absolute power really does corrupt absolutely.
Steve Rogers is a man outside of time, having been flash frozen at the end of his first movie, Captain America: The First Avenger. His inner sense of right and wrong seems so out of place from Starks’ ultra-cool, playboy lifestyle.
Of course, the Avengers will survive this challenge as the Russo Brothers are just now preparing to film the next two Avengers films in an already crowded Marvel film schedule.
Marvel Studios has a massive blockbuster on their hands in “Captain America: Civil War.”
Don’t miss it!
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