Captain America: Civil War

This is a spoiler-free review.

The latest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie has been unleashed upon us. Even with the big number of movies in the overall franchise, Captain America: Civil War has felt like an overly ambitious film from the beginning. We expect to see a large cast of characters in the Avengers movies, but this was supposed to be a Captain America solo movie. The good news is, Anthony and Joe Russo manage to exceed our expectations with this latest installment.

The superhero films these days feel like they're becoming overcrowded with characters. As we see each installment in the franchise released, the solo movies now feature team-ups and cameos. With all the Marvel characters in this third Captain America movie, it could have been considered the third Avengers film. What it really comes down to is, it doesn't matter what you call it. We get a jam-packed action movie with all the elements we've come to enjoy: action, humor, character building, suspense, and some heartache.

With Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the Russos took the Marvel Studios films to a different level. It's not often you have a sequel that's better than the original. With Civil War, they've upped the ante even more. Unlike other action films loaded with a vast number of characters, one of the advantage the Marvel films have is we have a great understanding of who they are in this cinematic universe because of the past films. Despite this advantage, there is still a lot of character building going on, especially with newer characters like Scarlet Witch and Vision. We still have more to see. New characters like Black Panther and Spider-Man are introduced (with fantastic results). Older characters even see some growth as well.

The main crux of the movie may be Captain America's team and Iron Man's team fighting each other, but there is much more going on. There's obviously a bigger reason to everything happening, and it all unfolds nicely. There are different elements to the plot with different locations and developments that occur. You can easily say that the repercussions from this movie will still be felt the next time we see any of these characters on the the big screen.

The fight and action scenes are on a grand scale. What drives each blow and impact home is the fact you care about these characters. We've gotten to know the older characters pretty well and the new ones become more and more likable. Seeing the friendships between them get torn apart is nearly heart-breaking. Each character has their own motives and sense of beliefs as to why they chose the side they're fighting on.

Captain America: Civil War shows the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't slowing down any time soon. The stakes have been raised and action and drama delivers what you want. Is it perfect? Nothing really is, but this comes pretty much as close as you can get. I always said Captain America: Winter Soldier was the best Marvel Studios film. That title has now been given to the Russos' latest venture. Even with an overabundance of characters, the movie doesn't skip a beat. The characters and movie universe are allowed to grow even though there is so much action happening. This is what Marvel (and superhero movie fans) want and deserve. I can't wait to see it again.

Gotta say, I agree. This movie impressed the hell outta me.

Also, INB4 BvS hate.

@the_stegman: I did find myself comparing the two. I really don't want to since they're different studios and comic universes. The two offered different things for different people, I guess. I think we should just focus on the Marvel Studios films, but I guess we'll see below.

@gmanfromheck: After seeing both, I have to admit, they really don't have much in common at all. Yeah, they're fight films, but character motives, world building and overall plots were very different.

A bit of a vague review (in the sense that specifics are not really addressed), but I'm still pleased to see this movie getting good reviews, especially after BVS got stepped on with a pair of lead boots.

Fingers crossed that X-Men: Apocalypse will be more like this film and less like BVS, at least as far as how well it does with the critics.

CAN'T WAIT! 2 DAYS!!! :D

Agreed, but did you really expect that this one wouldn't get good critic reviews?

Ohhhhh god all hells gonna break loose. Excited to see this though.

Can't wait to see this tomorrow.

With Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the Russos took the Marvel Studios films to a different level. It's not often you have a sequel that's better than the original.

Ehh, I feel that this is the rule rather than the exception for Superhero movies, not in the least because the first in a series/after a reboot always rehashes the origin story we already know. Just think of X2, Spiderman 2 or The Dark Knight.

Can't wait

Just gotta get around to watching Age of Ultron and Ant-Man

I won't be able to see this for another week :(

Thank God everyone else thinks this will be good, especially after that trainwreck BvS. At least Marvel is putting forth their A-Game.

Lets hope it beats it in the Box Office too.

2....more...days!!!!

Best Marvel movie yet, no real flaws for me

@captainmarvel4ever: Or you could just have someone tell you what happened in them and you dont have to watch them.

@darkdetective27: If I wanted to do that I'd just read summaries online

5 Stars?!! The Anti-DC conspiracy continues >:{

Or maybe its just that good?

People enjoying a MCU film and critics having something nice to say about it = easy to please sheeple and paid off movie critics. Batman vs Superman is high art so it is no wonder you stupid sheeple couldn't appreciate it and it is too unique for the small minds of dishonest critics >:{

@petey_is_spidey: It's predicted to have a $214 million opening in the states.

5 stars O_O?!

Dammit, I can't wait any longer!!!

@farkam: Sarcasm or should I laugh?

Yup...For me is one of the best comic book movies ever made, beyond the incredible action what i liked more was the pace always fused with the plot/premise, acknowledging incredibly well the Mcu past events & still so much character driven, the spectacle is there but still is a Captain America movie, doesn't have or tries to have Avengers scale vibe... And unlike other recent movies (even in the Mcu) also is not too much concerned to set future movies, the character actions feel very organic...

This movie is amazing

Oh, I was just being satirical.

You should laugh at the sarcasm :)

@farkam: hahaha right cause I clearly stated my lack of appreciation for BvS in the above posts....oh wait, I didnt. I find it funny how any love shown to Civil War automatically incites a 5th grade level of butt-hurt from so called comicbook fans.

DC fans out here acting like they suffering from PTSD. Get it together son lol

We DC fans are suffering from oppression and prejudice. MCU fans are freakin' Nazi's. We deserve government benefits from this.

@farkam: there there, its going to be alright

Loved it, more pumped to see a Russo bros. Avengers movie now. But Spidey's intro felt shoehorned, I mean does Tony really need a kid to win a war for him.

I'll be seeing it this weekend. And then I'll determine if it's a solid flick or not. There has yet to be a MCU film that can top the likes of The Avengers and Captain America: Winter Soldier in my opinion. If it can hold its own against either of those films and still be entertaining, I'll be satisfied.

Now if only we can ensure that Thor: Ragnarok will be just as epic as the two MCU films that I mentioned.

I had so many internal, fanboy moments watching this movie in the theater.

Loved BVS (Please don't crucify me, we all have different opinions) I hate comparing DC and Marvel movies, and I'm really thankful you guys didn't. Can't wait to see the movie, because of this review

He's no ordinary kid........

@farkam: hahahahhaha....uh hahah...I'm sorry just gimme a second. Whew! So I was about to say...uh...baaaaahhahahahhahaha. Can't take you seriously I'm so sorry. Sheeple...hoo hoo Her. Good one dude. Troll level over 9000!!!!

@greenscar1990: Those were my favorite two mcu movies also. I saw the movie yesterday and it was good. I would say around Winter Soldier level. Panther completely steals the show at least for me. I would say you don't really have nothing to worry about it was good. Hope you enjoy it.

I knew you would give it five stars. Always bet on Cap.

This film deserves every single bit of its current critical and financial success.

INB4 DCEU apologists and defenders.

@the_stegman: Why did you review this and some other guy review the BvS movie?

Great review, I agree with every word except perhaps tha it's the best Marvel movie. Guardians of the Galaxy is still ahead and Avengers is number 3 after CW not WS

Seriously ? Five stars ? No, just no.

This is a great movie, but i liked Captain America: Winter Soldier more.

Gotta agree with this review. It is a great film with just the right balance of action, drama and humor.

The Russo brothers are expert at bringing plausibility and a slice of realism to the super hero genre that isn't campy, bloated or overly self indulgent.

"Winter Soldier" & "Civil War" are my favourite Marvel Studio films.

Awesome movie, didnt care for the fight scenes though.

Great review, I agree with every word except perhaps tha it's the best Marvel movie. Guardians of the Galaxy is still ahead and Avengers is number 3 after CW not WS (imo of course).