Captain America: Civil War (2016) - Review

The time has come. Infinity War premieres tonight. Let us end our road to Avengers 3 with what many believe to be Avengers 2.5, Captain America: Civil War.

In the 3rd installment of the Cap trilogy, the United Nations imposes a set of regulations on the Avengers after so much collateral damage has occurred throughout the 8 years of their operating. Divided by this, and driven apart by Steve's (Chris Evans) quest to help his old friend Bucky (Sebastian Stan), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) leads the charge to bring Bucky to justice and regulate our heroes.

For me, this is the pinnacle of the MCU. At least until Infinity War. Seeing so many heroes, established over 8 years, this is exemplary of the long-form storytelling that makes the MCU so revered. Directors Joe & Anthony Russo balance the countless number of characters so well, this film practically served as their auditions for IW duty.

At the center of the story is the conflict between Iron Man and Captain America. While Iron Man is the face of the MCU, it is Cap who is the emotional core. His arc over the course of the series has been executed exceptionally. The colors on his costume have faded over time, just like Steve's trust in the government. At the end of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, it is revealed that SHIELD and the government Steve believes in so much has been infiltrated by HYDRA, the enemies Steve fought 70 years earlier. It makes perfect sense that he would be resistant to signing himself over to the Sokovia Accords.

On the flip side, Tony Stark has been at the root of the majority of damage done by the MCU villains. Iron Monger, 10 Rings, Justin Hammer, Whiplash, The Mandarin, Aldrich Killian, Ultron, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, AND Vulture all were inspired by revenge on Stark. Therefore, more as a safety measure on himself, it also makes perfect sense for Tony to be the most eager for restrictions. This works as a wonderful inciting incident, capitalizing on the years of animosity between Cap and Tony. What makes Civil War stand out as the best the MCU has to offer however is its deep layers.

Firstly, this is Bucky's standout role. Stan conveys the tortured soldier well, with twinges of pain in his face when he talks about his past atrocities. In addition, 2 new heroes are introduced: Black Panther and Spider-Man. While T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is stoic and regal, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is appropriately nerdy and awkward. Zemo (Daniel Bruhl) is one of my favourite MCU villains. While not as physically imposing as an Ultron, and lacking the army that Loki enjoyed, it is his cunning and wit that sets him apart. Driven by revenge, his motivation is understandable and relatable.

Zemo's motivation brings us to one of the major themes of the film. Revenge. While T'Challa is driven by revenge for the death of his father, Zemo is driven by revenge for his family. Tony, who finds out (SPOILER) that it was Bucky who killed his parents, is also consumed by revenge in the third act. This film warns of the danger of seeking vengeance, as it is this raw emotion that tears our team apart, causing perhaps irreparable damage.

Being the last big team-up before Infinity War, Civil War sets the tone for the MCU in the future. Our team is fractured, split apart. While it seems that the threat of Thanos will bring together the Avengers one more time, I will be keenly watching to see what consequences Civil War carries over. Despite the tremendous action scenes (including the OMG airport sequence), it is the character work and human relationships between these extraordinary characters that makes Captain America: Civil War worth SEEING IT TWICE!