Marvel have repeatedly stated that 2019`s The Avengers: Infinity War will be the culmination of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe up until that point; a no holds barred, all-in, game-changing superhero slobber-knocker that simply dwarfs everything that preceded it. Nobody mentioned that Captain America: Civil War would be reaching for, and handily attaining that very same goal though.

Captain America: Civil War review

Picking up narrative threads and thematic beats from Captain America: Winter Soldier, Iron Man 3, The Avengers: Age of Ultron and Mark Millar’s comic book story of the same name, Civil War co-directors Joe and Anthony Russo have simply put together an incredible feat of superhero cinema that now stands at the very top of the Marvel food chain.

In the destructive wake of the events in Age of Ultron, and spurned on by yet another incident involving Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and the dastardly Crossbones (Frank Grillo), the world has had enough of superhero “rescues” leaving behind cataclysmic collateral damage. A proposal is tabled: the Avengers will operate only under the purview and oversight of a UN committee, and not just dish out justice across international borders at their whim as they currently do.

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Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), haunted by his past and supposed failings as a hero, is all for these Sokovian Accords, as the proposal is called. But where Tony sees a necessary guiding hand, Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) sees a yoke. One that has to be shirked by any means necessary when Steve’s best friend turned amnesiac super-assassin Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) is implicated in a devastating attack that forces the UN’s hand. Steve won’t just abandon his friend though, placing himself and his supporters on opposing sides of the argument – and the business end of some weapons – to Tony and his group, and so setting the scene for a whopper of a running battle that plays out both ideologically and oh so physically.

Any one of the film’s five or six major action sequences could arguably be pegged as the very best the Marvel Cinematic Universe – and actually superhero movies in general – has ever had to offer, as its 147-minute running time is chock full of the type of comic book splash page spectacle that will leave fans bifurcating their faces with gleeful grins. Once again the Russos, just like they did on Winter Soldier, shoot all that explosive action with a brutally cool, CG-light, bone-crunching realism, but this time around everything plays out on an even bigger canvas leaving you even more slackjawed in awe.

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But it’s not just maximized scale that blows you away, as underpinning and bolstering that action is some meaty character drama, sold by an ensemble cast firing on all cylinders. There’s now a bit of grey mixed into that red, white and blue as heroes are faced with impossible moral dilemmas that see friends forced to come to blows.

Accordingly, there’s a real ideological heft to the decisions made by these characters. That both sides are essentially correct is the tragedy that makes each hero-on-hero punch that much more painful to witness.

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And cutting – sometimes literally – right through all of that is newcomer T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), whom as both King of the African nation of Wakanda as well as its protector Black Panther, has his very own agenda. Fans have been waiting for the cinematic debut of Black Panther for years, and he does not disappoint in the slightest here, often stealing scenes from some perennial favourites like Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Falcon (Anthony Mackie). Boseman plays Black Panther with both a regal restraint and daunting physicality that leaves me feeling nothing but giddy excitement for his upcoming solo movie.

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He is of course not the only new face introduced in Civil War, as Tom Holland also swings into the MCU as the brand new Spider-Man. I’ll leave the details of this delightful meeting for you to discover for yourself, but will just say that Holland unequivocally nails it. He simply and effortlessly just is both Peter Parker and Spider-Man, leaving you gawking at his action as much as you’re guffawing at his motor-mouth. And yes, that costume actually looks super cool in action.

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Meanwhile Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Vision (Paul Bettany), War Machine (Don Cheadle), Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) and more all get given their own time to shine in Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely’s script. Even with a fair bit of juggling, the screenwriting duo never make any character feel superfluous or story beat feel ungainly. Together with the Russo’s masterful direction, this film just sizzles and zings with nary a bit of bloat to be seen despite the fact that there’s actually a lot going on.

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There are joyous peaks and dramatic troughs, laugh-out-loud gags and emotional gut-punches, intellectual food for thought and unadulterated base pleasures. And underneath all that eye-popping visuals and unbelievably bad-ass action it also examines themes of steadfast friendship, tested loyalty, blinding revenge and heroic sacrifice. And somehow it all works magnificently. Well, mostly.

It appears that not even a film as spectacularly put together as Captain America: Civil War can avoid the curse of the shoestring Marvel villain. Daniel Bruhl may elicit zero complaints performance-wise, but his villainous Helmut Zemo is disappointingly more narrative agent than three-dimensional character. There are also details of his plan that either do not make sense or present Hulk-sized plot holes once you really engage your grey matter to puzzle them out. But these are still minor infractions, especially when viewing Captain America: Civil War as a whole.

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Last Updated: April 27, 2016

Captain America: Civil War
As a comic book character, Captain America himself has always been the heroic zenith, the perfectly engineered example to which all his peers strive towards. On the movie side, that ideal now holds true for Captain America: Civil War as well, as it is an astoundingly fantastic piece of pop culture filmmaking. In a word: Marvel-ous
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91 Comments

  1. YUSSSSS

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      April 26, 2016 at 09:36

      Can say that again.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief in New York

        April 26, 2016 at 09:36

        YUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

        Reply

  2. Geoffrey Tim

    April 26, 2016 at 09:34

    Action, action and action? Sounds like a Civil Bore.

    Reply

    • Mistake Not...

      April 26, 2016 at 09:35

      So you’re saying you would have preferred more story? Or… Civil Lore?
      Right? right? guys?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

        April 26, 2016 at 09:35

        XD

        Reply

      • Geoffrey Tim

        April 26, 2016 at 09:36

        For Civil Sure.

        Reply

        • CodeDisQus

          April 28, 2016 at 10:08

          I can’t even hahahahahaha XD

          Reply

      • Admiral Chief in New York

        April 26, 2016 at 09:36

        Hehehehe, you bested Geoff, no doubt about it

        Reply

      • CodeDisQus

        April 28, 2016 at 10:09

        Dead hahahahaha!!

        Reply

    • Strawman Jim

      April 26, 2016 at 10:00

      Pfftt go watch your Twilight movies!!!!!

      Reply

  3. Mistake Not...

    April 26, 2016 at 09:34

    Still have to get through this damn week before I can watch this. Sigh…

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      April 26, 2016 at 09:35

      Holiday tomorrow?

      Reply

  4. Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

    April 26, 2016 at 09:37

    It was never gonna be on the same scale as the comic book which had more than just a dozen hero’s fighting and some actually dying, but this will have to do.

    Reply

  5. Geoffrey Tim

    April 26, 2016 at 09:39

    I will watch this, but only because it features Marvel’s best ever hero…Ant-man.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief in New York

      April 26, 2016 at 09:40

      Speaking of Marvel’s BEST EVER HERO, where is THOR?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

        April 26, 2016 at 09:42

        Dunno, but apparently Hulk is still trying out his new persona, The Incredible Sulk

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief in New York

          April 26, 2016 at 09:43

          LOLOLOLOLOLOL

          Reply

        • Captain JJ vs ..............

          April 26, 2016 at 09:51

          XD

          Reply

        • Strawman Jim

          April 26, 2016 at 10:00

          The Incredible Beta-male!

          Reply

      • Loftus

        April 26, 2016 at 09:52

        He is a huntsman or something in The Huntsman: Winter’s War. Captain & Iron man didn’t want him to play along.

        Reply

        • Strawman Jim

          April 26, 2016 at 09:59

          It would have been unfair to the silly mortals of the Marvelverse. Whoever convinced Thor to be on their side would instantly win the war.

          Thor swings hammer – flawless victory!

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            April 28, 2016 at 07:43

            The could have countered him with Hulk, but then everyone would stop fighting and look at Thor and Hulk

      • Marek Nourse

        April 26, 2016 at 10:17

        Answering your question

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief in New York

          April 26, 2016 at 10:19

          xD

          Reply

        • Avithar

          April 28, 2016 at 13:58

          the Huntsman was not bad, actually enjoyed it

          Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      April 26, 2016 at 09:43

      … 😛

      Reply

      • Captain JJ vs ..............

        April 26, 2016 at 09:45

        LOL

        Reply

    • Captain JJ vs ..............

      April 26, 2016 at 09:44

      *Captain America.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief in New York

        April 26, 2016 at 09:46

        I’m torn between Cap and Thor

        Reply

        • Captain JJ vs ..............

          April 26, 2016 at 09:47

          Thor’s hair is magnificent. I’ll give him that. 😉

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief in New York

            April 26, 2016 at 09:48

            This comment, I like it, ANOTHER!

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            April 26, 2016 at 09:48

            Dat Hammer doe

          • Captain JJ vs ..............

            April 26, 2016 at 09:51

            Now all we need is something big enough to ride!

          • Admiral Chief in New York

            April 26, 2016 at 09:53

            Why do you think I’m a fan?

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            April 26, 2016 at 09:53

            I think you should pick Thor, he wields the mightiest ban hammer ever.

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            April 26, 2016 at 10:07

            Maybe he’s born with it?

          • Captain JJ vs ..............

            April 26, 2016 at 10:07

            XD

      • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

        April 26, 2016 at 09:47

        *Sentry…. oh wait he doesn’t have his own movie yet….

        Reply

    • Strawman Jim

      April 26, 2016 at 09:58

      Pffft! Ant-man is for little girls. Real men want to BE Black Widow!

      Reply

      • Captain JJ vs ..............

        April 26, 2016 at 10:02

        XD

        Reply

        • Strawman Jim

          April 26, 2016 at 10:04

          Or at least inside Black Widow!

          Reply

          • Captain JJ vs ..............

            April 26, 2016 at 10:07

            Are you sure you want to be compared with the Hulk?

          • Strawman Jim

            April 26, 2016 at 10:12

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            April 26, 2016 at 10:13

            HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

            *It was at about this time that Greylingad realised that he should remain silent for the remainder of this conversation…*

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            April 26, 2016 at 10:12

            I…But then….And this…then..but, that’s…. I dunno…

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            April 28, 2016 at 07:41

            Scarlet Witch, um I really like her…

  6. Captain JJ vs ..............

    April 26, 2016 at 09:44

    But does it have Batman in it? 😀

    Reply

    • Mistake Not...

      April 26, 2016 at 09:45

      Wasn’t he the person who made Black Panther’s suit?

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      April 26, 2016 at 09:48

      No, but just imagine if Deadpool makes a cameo… I mean he is from Marvel

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief in New York

        April 26, 2016 at 09:48

        O____________O

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

          April 26, 2016 at 09:48

          It would break the internet

          Reply

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            April 26, 2016 at 10:11

            The repercussions will shatter the planet…

          • Admiral Chief in New York

            April 26, 2016 at 10:18

            If I post a certain picture of JJ, Lagz would break…out in laughter

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            April 26, 2016 at 10:19

          • Captain JJ vs ..............

            April 26, 2016 at 10:20

            I will post a picture of you in response.
            Very finely edited

          • Admiral Chief in New York

            April 26, 2016 at 10:25

            I’ll counter with a raw picture. Truth beats edited

          • Captain JJ vs ..............

            April 26, 2016 at 10:27

            Not when you’re half naked
            😛

          • Admiral Chief in New York

            April 26, 2016 at 10:29

            Go for it, I ain’t afraid of mah boddeh

      • Captain JJ vs ..............

        April 26, 2016 at 09:50

        Haha. Yea. That really would.

        Reply

    • Strawman Jim

      April 26, 2016 at 09:58

      It should – everything is better with Batman in it! For years, I’ve been emailing the writers of 7de Laan and trying to convince them to include Batman… bastards keep on ignoring me.

      Reply

      • Captain JJ vs ..............

        April 26, 2016 at 10:02

        Exactly!
        You get it! 😀

        Reply

        • Strawman Jim

          April 26, 2016 at 10:07

          Picture it: It’s 18h30. For some reason, you’re watching SABC2. Perhaps you had too much to drink, or maybe you’re having a stroke, but it doesn’t matter because 7de Laan is about to start. You instinctively reach for the remote, but before you can change the channel… BATMAN IS ON 7DE LAAAN? BRUCE WAYNE HAS BOUGHT THE FLAT OPPOSITE OOM OUBAAS… WAT DIE FOK!!!?

          Reply

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            April 26, 2016 at 10:08

            HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

            Never gonna happen…

          • Captain JJ vs ..............

            April 26, 2016 at 10:08

            Hahahaha
            This totally made my day.

          • Admiral Chief in New York

            April 26, 2016 at 10:08

            [grabs popcorn]

            TELL ME MOAR NANA!

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            April 28, 2016 at 07:40

            Die spinnekop vrou will be the main villain in the new season. Batman would be seen pondering what a web she weaves at the bakery. Is she slowly making 7de laan fat on purpose? Does she even bant?

          • Admiral Chief in New York

            April 28, 2016 at 09:58

            I HAD TO WAIT TWO DAYS FOR A RESPONSE????

            Typical 7de laan plot hole, antici………..pation with major flawed result

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            April 26, 2016 at 10:23

            Thing is though, if they had the budget to introduce Batman in that show, by implication, the show would be a million times better!

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            April 28, 2016 at 07:38

            YES!

      • Admiral Chief in New York

        April 26, 2016 at 10:06

        Finally I’ll have a reason to watch it!

        Reply

  7. Original Heretic

    April 26, 2016 at 10:00

    All the reviews for this movie are spectacular. And amazing. And stupendous. And superior.
    One again Marvel delivers the goods. DC needs to up their game or they going to be become the red-headed stepchild with the large cranium whose pillow is simply too big.

    Reply

  8. Marek Nourse

    April 26, 2016 at 10:28

    This is Deadpool while Civil War is happening. haha

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      April 28, 2016 at 07:37

      lol

      Reply

  9. Admiral Chief in New York

    April 26, 2016 at 10:31

    LOOK AT ME COMMENTING ON SOMETHING NOT LIVE!

    Reply

  10. Ghost In The Rift

    April 27, 2016 at 01:44

    Hmmm, deja vu…

    Reply

  11. Greylingad[CNFRMD]

    April 27, 2016 at 07:56

  12. Raptor Rants

    April 27, 2016 at 16:52

    Spidey and Ironman on one team. Well I know who I am routing for.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief in New York

      April 28, 2016 at 07:12

      The other guys?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

        April 28, 2016 at 07:37

        I did

        Reply

  13. Spy Master Tokashi

    April 28, 2016 at 07:11

    I hope Captain America dies!! F him, go team Iron Man!

    Reply

  14. Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

    April 28, 2016 at 07:43

    Best Marvel superhero movie to date, even better than Deadpool.

    Reply

  15. I_am_Duffman!

    April 28, 2016 at 08:56

    The movie was great. But the Bromance between Cap and Bucky was just too much. It really was getting to the point of being ridiculous. Cap’s blindness was just idiotic. But even taking that into account. Great great movie.

    I also though Marvel would have the guts to kill somebody off. Any 1 of War Machine, Cap, Hawkeye and Black Widow could have died. Even to a lesser extent Bucky.

    Reply

    • CodeDisQus

      April 28, 2016 at 10:08

      Well I have to counteract that by saying that Cap truly believes that Bucky isn’t fully to blame for his actions, so he wasn’t blind so to speak, just true to his ideals. I mean you can go back to Winter Soldier, where he clearly doesn’t agree with Project Insight, where he says something along the lines that people can only be proven guilty after the crime is committed. Which goes to show that people should get a fair trial with all variables considered.

      Reply

      • I_am_Duffman!

        April 28, 2016 at 10:28

        I do understand his point of view and that’s why I am on Cap’s side in regards to the Sokovia Accord. But damn. Cap was just going all out no matter how badly he fucks up other people’s lives in the process. I really just though he was going to die at the end or something to clear Buckys name… With Bucky then picking up the Shield, liked they teazed in Winter Soldier

        Reply

  16. Menzi Gcanga

    April 28, 2016 at 09:05

    This movie is TITS, I give it a full five stars to be honest

    Reply

  17. CodeDisQus

    April 28, 2016 at 10:04

    5 Stars, best comic book movie ever made. If you like comic book stuff there are SO SO many moments that make you go NO way! That airport scene, that base scene…OMG!! If you’ve been a keen watcher of the MCU, you’ll love the throwbacks to the other movies and I’m not talking about the stuff we’ve seen in the trailers. Black Panther is definitely the coolest guy on-screen (dem claws, who needs Wolverine!) Spidey is so next level cool (Garfield/Maguire who)!!

    I have ZERO complaints about this movie!
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    Spoilers below

    Personally I really like Zemo’s role, the fact that he is still around means that they’ll be able t o use him again, maybe as a big shot villain! Super excited about that!

    BTW there are 2 end credits scenes, the first one is definitely pushes the store forward, whilsts the other expands on a character! (Don’t think that was a spoiler)

    Reply

  18. chimera_85

    April 28, 2016 at 10:17

    Fuck me can’t wait

    Reply

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