When it comes to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Captain America films often play a major role in moving the wider story on.
The original showed us how Steve Rogers became the first Avenger, while the amazing Winter Soldier showcased the collapse of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Civil War, as the title suggests, continues that trend as we see the vast majority of the active Avengers roster at logger-heads (leading to perhaps my favourite MCU scene yet).
But more on that later. Civil War, directed by the Russo brothers, is very much a Captain America film despite the inclusion of Iron Man and a spree of other Avengers.
The story follows the aftermath of Age of Ultron and The Winter Soldier, with key threads from both films very prominent.
Cap (Steve Evans) and the rest of the Avengers are under serious scrutiny following the catastrophic events of the past few films, with the world deciding that it’s time they signed the Sokovia Accords – a document that would essentially see them become the army of the planet.
Leading the yes vote is Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jnr), while Cap remains unconvinced at the idea of being bossed by corruptible politicians.
Things take a turn for the worse when a deadly attack is attributed to Cap’s old buddy Bucky “The Winter Soldier” Barnes (Sebastian Stan) – and our hero decides to go rogue in a bid to get to the bottom of the incident.
This triggers the civil war, with Iron Man given a short time frame to bring Cap and his allies in before things get really nasty.
I’ll not draw the battle lines for you and reveal who sides with who, but you’ll be pleased to know that Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Vision (Paul Bettany), War Machine (Don Cheadle) are all involved.
Also making their MCU debuts here and Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and (finally) Spider-Man (Tom Holland) – and both are superbly portrayed.
The scene in the second act of the film when our heroes fight each other is genuinely breathtaking – and if you’re a fan of comic books or super-hero films it’s like Christmas has come early.
Aside from the civil war, the villainous Zemo (Daniel Brühl) schemes a devious plan that facilitates a couple of impressive twists that essentially help bookend the story – and boy do they deliver.
As always, Evans does a brilliant job as Cap, a character that has become my favourite Avenger over the years. His story is one of doing the right thing, whatever the cost.
Downey Jnr is a little more subdued as Iron Man this time around, with the events of the past few films weighing heavily on him. He does, however, rediscover some of his charisma when paired with Holland’s Spider-Man.
Wrestling Spidey back into the MCU is a big deal for fans – and Holland looks to be a great choice to play Peter Parker.
Equally, Boseman’s Black Panther is another great character that I’m keen to see more off in the future.
His arc is a good one – and is much more integral to the main story than the rest of the other Avengers (although Rudd’s Ant-Man perhaps takes the award for MVP in the brilliant battle royal).
There are no obvious negatives to Civil War. Fans of the MCU will lap this up, while newbies will enjoy the non-stop action.
Maybe they could have done more with Zemo, but that would be nit-picking.
Simply put, Civil War is action at its very best.
Voice Verdict: 9.5/10 (Reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Incredible cast
+ Avengers v Avengers!
+ Clever story
+ Spider-Man and Black Panther in MCU
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, May 6 to Thurs, May 12)
BAD NEIGHBOURS 2: SORORITY RISIN (15)
2pm (Fri/Sat), 4.15pm (Daily), 6.30pm (Daily), 8.45pm (Daily)
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR 3D (12A)
10.20am (Sat/Sun), 5pm (Daily), 8.15pm (Daily)
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR 2D (12A)
12.30pm (Wed), 1.30pm (Fri/Sat/Sun), 3.30pm (Fri/Sat/Tues/Wed/Thurs), 7.15pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon/Wed)
FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS (PG)
1pm (Sat/Sun), 3.30pm (not Mon), 3.40pm (Mon – subtitled), 6pm (Daily), 8.30pm (Daily)
ROBINSON CRUSOE 3D (PG)
4pm (Fri/Mon/Tues/Wed/Thur)
THE JUNGLE BOOK 3D (PG)
2.50pn (Sat/Sun), 8pm (Daily)
THE JUNGLE BOOK 2D (PG)
10am (Sat), 12.20pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 5.30pm (Daily)
RATCHET AND CLANK (U)
10.30am (Sat/Sun)
ZOOTROPOLIS 2D (PG)
12.30pm (Sat/Sun)
JACOBS KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (PG)
3pm (Sun)
MET OPERA – ELEKTRA (12A)
7.30pm (Tues)
NATIONAL THEATRE – A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (ENCORE) (12A)
7pm (Thur)
KIDS’ CLUB
10.15am (Sat/Sun) – Oddball And The Penguins (U)
