2016 is the year comic book villains unite and heroes fight. We’ve already seen the first heroic throwdown in Batman v Superman, which unfortunately was not as uniformly well received as we had hoped for. Some fans loved it, while some (like myself) thought it was decent enough but with a few big problems. When it came to critical reception though, there was an almost universal loathing with some hyperbolically declaring it worse than Batman & Robin, which certainly takes some doing.
However, when it comes to 2016’s other big superhero dust-up, sentiment apparently could not be more different. The first critics screening took place in Los Angeles over the weekend, and while any attendees would still be embargoed from writing full reviews, some did take to Twitter to express their reactions. And the general sentiment (though there were a small amount of exceptions) appears to be that not only have co-directors Joe and Anthony Russo managed to one-up their previous effort, Captain America: Winter Soldier – considered by many to be Marvel’s best film to date – but they may even have given us the best Spider-Man thus far as well.
Just saw @CaptainAmerica Civil War!!! Wow! Spider-Man Rocks! Best Action Sequences in any superhero film EVER! pic.twitter.com/5uTdpYvFw6
— Jon Schnepp (@JonSchnepp) April 9, 2016
Captain America: Civil War is a complex mystery posing a big, fun superhero film. Lots of themes and emotions. Very unexpected & VERY good.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 9, 2016
I honestly don't know how Civil War works. There's so much going on but it does. Spidey is AMAZING. Made me smile & laugh till my face hurt
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 9, 2016
I'll also admit, after 1 viewing, I have some small issues with the film. I'm guessing they'll shrink after a 2nd viewing to unpack them tho
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 9, 2016
I could go on all night with this but one last thing. The airport scene in Civil War is probably the best superhero action scene ever.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) April 9, 2016
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR is a Barry Bonds steroids hitting home-run by Marvel & Russo Brothers. And I LOVED Spider-Man in the film. LOVED.
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) April 9, 2016
Loved #CivilWar & you will too!
I'm driving so more soon
— Jeff Goldsmith (@yogoldsmith) April 9, 2016
Captain America #CivilWar featured fantastic character driven writing & smart directing with both intense action & emotional moments as well
— Jeff Goldsmith (@yogoldsmith) April 9, 2016
Spider-Man was excellently played in #CivilWar. His function in the story, plus the correct amount of humor made it really pitch perfect
— Jeff Goldsmith (@yogoldsmith) April 9, 2016
#CivilWar locks into place near perfectly as a companion to Winter Soldier while at the same time continuing on from Ultron & satisfied both
— Jeff Goldsmith (@yogoldsmith) April 9, 2016
‘Captain America: Civil War’ is so good, it’s a better Avengers movie than the last Avengers movie.
— Mike Sampson (@mjsamps) April 9, 2016
I have to admit it. Captain America: Civil War a letdown after the high of Winter Soldier. It's a better, smarter version of BvS.
— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) April 9, 2016
The big battle scene in #CivilWar is an absolute blast. Spider-Man, as you'd expect, steals the show. Ant-Man, as you might not, a close 2nd
— Mike Sampson (@mjsamps) April 9, 2016
Civil War and BvS tackle some of the same themes and have similar beats, yet Cap works because we know and care about these characters.
— Mike Sampson (@mjsamps) April 9, 2016
I’m trying not to talk about ‘Civil War’ by comparing it to BvS, but it’s hard. It succeeds because it's exactly what that film is not: FUN.
— Mike Sampson (@mjsamps) April 9, 2016
#CaptainAmericaCivilWar delivers the goods. Endless Avenger v Avenger action. Tense and still funny. Boseman kills it as Black Panther.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) April 9, 2016
Get excited for @CaptainAmerica #CivilWar Fantastic Characters, Amazing Action AND it contains the best comic book movie fight EVER. #Hype
— Andy Signore (@andysignore) April 9, 2016
Oh yeah, the big fight in Captain America: Civil War is cinematic joy. And Spider-Man is so great. He's in it more than I thought he'd be.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) April 9, 2016
I'm pretty sure Captain America: Civil War is my favorite Marvel movie.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) April 9, 2016
Black Panther is amazing and Boseman excels here. The most serious character in the film and not in a bad way. #CaptainAmericaCivilWar
— Alex Welch (@AlexRWelch) April 9, 2016
Tom Holland is the greatest Peter Parker and Spider-Man ever put to screen. It made me bawl. #CaptainAmericaCivilWar
— Alex Welch (@AlexRWelch) April 9, 2016
I cried tears of joy, okay? Tears of joy. #CaptainAmericaCivilWar
— Alex Welch (@AlexRWelch) April 9, 2016
Really incredible character work in #CivilWar. Spider-Man, Ant-Man & Black Panther kill it & Wanda/Vision & Bucky/Sam dynamics are wonderful
— (((Eric Eisenberg))) (@eeisenberg) April 9, 2016
We have seen 'Captain America: Civil War' and it's incredible. #CaptainAmericaCivilWar
— UPROXX (@UPROXX) April 9, 2016
#CaptainAmericaCivilWar falls into a lot of the same traps as #BvS, but it's a lot more fun. What we get of #SpiderMan is played perfectly.
— William Bibbiani (@WilliamBibbiani) April 9, 2016
The plot has problems in #CaptainAmericaCivilWar, no doubt about it. So do the plots of most superhero movies. But when it's fun, it's FUN.
— William Bibbiani (@WilliamBibbiani) April 9, 2016
There are things in #CaptainAmericaCivilWar I thought I'd never get to see on the big screen when I was a kid. It's worth watching.
— William Bibbiani (@WilliamBibbiani) April 9, 2016
CIVIL WAR: This Spider-Man is SPECTACULAR. pic.twitter.com/AUex8LkE9c
— Russ Fischer (@russfischer) April 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/devincf/status/718679869190582272
https://twitter.com/devincf/status/718680093032251397
https://twitter.com/devincf/status/718680498550124545
https://twitter.com/devincf/status/718680757372256256
https://twitter.com/devincf/status/718681128001908736
https://twitter.com/devincf/status/718681277373636608
https://twitter.com/devincf/status/718681761937371136
At 8pm, WINTER SOLDIER was my favorite MCU film.
Roughly 2.5 hours later, CIVIL WAR is now #1.
Action masterpiece. SPIDER-MAN!!!#NerdTears
— Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) April 9, 2016
HOLY HYPED UP EXPECTATIONS, BATMAN! Suddenly the 25th – which is the date of our press screening – seems like an absolute eternity away! I can’t imagine how you guys must feel as you only get to see it on Wednesday, 27 April 2016. Yes, it’s only 48 hours and a bit later, but do you have any idea how long those 48 hours are going to feel?!
Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.
Sebastian Stan will also be back as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier alongside Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther, Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter / Agent 13, Daniel Brühl as Baron Helmut Zemo, Frank Grillo as Brock Rumlow / Crossbones, William Hurt as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, Paul Rudd as Scott Lang / Ant-Man, and Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man.
This article originall appeared on TheMovies.co.za
Last Updated: April 11, 2016
Magius
April 11, 2016 at 17:14
Erm how is the 29th 24 hours after the 25th? Also it releases here on the 27th, I know I booked my tickets already
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 11, 2016 at 17:18
http://3legs4wheels.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/tinfoil-hat.jpg
Strawman Jim
April 11, 2016 at 17:50
Kervyn Cloete
April 12, 2016 at 07:21
I was a tad high on sinus meds when I wrote this. Sorry.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 11, 2016 at 17:18
DC > Disney’s Marvel (with the exception of Deadpool)
Blogvader
April 11, 2016 at 17:23
Let me enjoy both. 🙂
DC and Marvel’s films do not compare to each other beyond the fact that they both portray super heroes.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 11, 2016 at 17:31
I forgot to add Daredevil as an exception.
Strawman Jim
April 11, 2016 at 17:43
Netflix Daredevil is the best Daredevil ever! Holy smoke! That series has made me a fan of Daredevil.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 12, 2016 at 07:52
I WANT MORE!
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 07:33
Jessica Jones also.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 12, 2016 at 07:50
Still need to watch that :/
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 08:00
It’s very much the darker vibe that Daredevil has and Killgrave is just superb. David Tennant does an excellent job as a villain. Who would’ve guessed?
GooseZA
April 12, 2016 at 08:21
Hated Jessica Jones.
Killgrave was excellent and I was rooting for him in the end. Jessica’s character was incredibly annoying, sulky, selfish etc. It was painful to watch.
Enjoyed DD season 1 but found S2 a bit dull after the first 4 or 5 eps.
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 11:23
Strange, I really enjoyed her. I know I’d be troubled as shit were I in that same position.
Strawman Jim
April 11, 2016 at 17:41
I prefer the DC characters too, but damnit… Marvel has been on the ball with the movies. I think the only ones that sucked ass were the Wolverine movies, Daredevil, the last Fantastic Four, Elektra and Xmen 3….
Kervyn Cloete
April 12, 2016 at 07:23
And every single one those movies you mentioned were actually produced by Fox and not Marvel themselves.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 12, 2016 at 07:56
That makes too much sense it damnit!
Strawman Jim
April 12, 2016 at 08:45
Death to Fox!
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 12, 2016 at 07:55
Spiderman, not all of them though, Iron Man 3, The first Hulk
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 07:58
I enjoyed the Wolverine movie (the first one – except for that Deadpool thing).
Spider-Man I enjoyed the amazing Spider-Man’s Peter Parker and the look of Spider-Man more. I enjoyed Doc Oc from the first movies though, but thought that the Green Goblin was laughable, so was Tobey McGuire’s Peter Parker.
Hated Iron Man 2 and 3.
I also enjoyed Punisher War Zone, the first one was really bad.
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 07:59
Iron Man 2 and 3 were really bad imo.
Iron Man 1 still remains as one of my favourites though.
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 07:33
In movies yes.
But in series Marvel > DC
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 12, 2016 at 07:51
Ugh, that Supergirl series, In animated movies DC >>>> Marvel XD
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 07:53
Really? I quite like Supergirl. It’s Arrow that gets me. The Flash is awesome though.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
April 12, 2016 at 07:54
I watched two Supergirl and found it cringe worthy.
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 07:55
It gets quite good. I think it was episode 6 that was the real turning point for me. And I watched the Flash/Supergirl crossover the weekend and enjoyed it so much. They’re pretty cool together.
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 07:53
No one beats DC with animated movies. NO ONE 😀
Strawman Jim
April 11, 2016 at 17:42
So.. I should go and see it?
Strawman Jim
April 11, 2016 at 17:44
Damn Rocky Balboa has let himself go….
http://twitter.com/JonSchnepp/status/718681122041782272/photo/1
Ghost In The Rift
April 11, 2016 at 17:59
I never doubt Marvel, but then again we all know what they said about Batman Vs Superman
Kervyn Cloete
April 12, 2016 at 07:23
The difference is that those were early fan reactions, which tend to always skew more towards overhyping. This is all from proper film press and critics.
Victor Moolman
April 12, 2016 at 07:26
Which are usually all fans, otherwise it would’ve been the intern for that respective news source going to watch…because the intern is a fan.
It’s a vicious cycle
Kervyn Cloete
April 12, 2016 at 07:32
I’m going to have to disagree with your there. Just looking at the list of critics that gave feedback here, there are guys who hated on previous Marvel movies, guys who loved them, and guys who were just meh on them.
A lot of those names have established themselves in the movie press business for YEARS, and are very highly regarded for their impartiality and the ability to call a spade a spade. And even a guy like Devin Faraci, who has been poo-pooing so many blockbusters recently, was also in the positive mix.
And as somebody who actually manages a publication that covers movie reviews, I can tell you for a fact that that is not the normal practice. Your reviewers go to everything, whether they are fans or not. Did you think I actually wanted to go see The Divergent movies or whatever Adam Sandler’s latest release was? 😀
miaau
April 12, 2016 at 09:22
Wow, I feel you there. Watch and comment on it all. Each job has its functions you do not enjoy.
Adam Sandler? Six movie deal with Netfllix…. I think that is the only piece of news I read about them as a company that I queried.
I HAVE never enjoyed an Adam Sandler movie. Watched, yes, laughed in places, yes, but never finished one and said, yay. That was fun. The other guy? Ben Stiller? Slightly better, but still not my fav.
Victor Moolman
April 12, 2016 at 13:44
…thank you for the education, I was joking originally.
I feel ashamed.
Ryanza
April 11, 2016 at 19:45
Out of all these superhero movies, Captain America 2 was just the best one. Captain America 3 has to be so fuckin good to beat the last movie. Showing off Marvel’s version of Spiderman but Spiderman has to be fucking cool, Captain America 3 has set itself up to be the best damn superhero movie.
But I feel there will be too much going on in the movie and at a fast pace. Batman V Superman was so fast paced you never got time to feel like Affleck was Bruce/Man. To me it felt like Gigli V Superman.
Captain America 3 will be good. Marvel knows they have to give us something really really good with this one.
Captain America 2 might have been the first time Marvel found the magic. Now they going to show us how they use that magic wherein losing the magic that made the second movie good.
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 08:10
I enjoyed Captain America 1 the most. It was the only one so far with a real original take (compared to all the other Marvel films). Being set in the 50s was just such a refreshing change from all the movies these days set in modern times.
miaau
April 12, 2016 at 09:19
1940’s? Surely?
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 11:22
I knew there was going to be someone to correct me on that.
What I mean is that it’s nice to have it play off in a different period/era. Different to all the other movies. Whichever period that may be.
Captain JJ the Isolatid
April 12, 2016 at 07:31
I wanna watch it!
iusedtobe(a)regular
April 12, 2016 at 08:41
So whats the difference between this and an Avengers movie? other than name.
Kervyn Cloete
April 12, 2016 at 09:26
Hence why we’ve been jokingly calling it Avengers 2.5 for a while now :p