[REVIEW] Captain America: Civil War

By Clinton Little

If we’re talking about dumb shiny action movies, it doesn’t get much shinier or dumber than Marvel Comics Avenger Universe and if you’re looking for 2 & ½ hours of spandex clad fisticuffs, explosions and poorly exposited superpowers then the third instalment of the current Captain America franchise will hit the mark every time.

What’s Good?

Three Words: Robert Downey Junior.

The man can impart more menace and meaning by just standing still and delivering a single line of dialogue than the rest of the cast can achieve by punching their way out of an endless stream of fight scenes.

It’s also quite funny. Despite its flaws Civil War retains a sense of humour about itself and manages to deliver some laughs, most of which come out of left field from the inclusion of Spiderman and Ant Man. However it’s a casting move that seems driven by franchise building motives that has an unexpected comedic payoff.

What’s Bad?

Civil War suffers from a serious case of overkill. With a cast of super characters that includes  Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Ant Man, Spiderman, Scarlett Witch, Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, Black Panther and Falcon to name but a few, the movie labours under the weight of giving each one enough screen time.

Chris Evans is adequate as the leading man but lacks the gravitas required for a viewer to actually care if he lives or dies. He’s handsome(ish), he’s gym buff(ish) and has clearly had enough fight training to be believable in a fight scene but when he shares the screen with the likes of Robert Downey Jr. he is seriously beige.

Back to what’s good?

Less is sometimes more. When there are a dozen superheroes on screen in a battle to the not quite death it’s hard to know where to look. The overstuffed Avenger battles are impressive but it’s when the action is paired down to the central characters that Civil War redeems itself

Should I bother buying a ticket?

Do…but don’t expect a standalone cinema experience. If you’re familiar with the $10 Billion and counting Marvel movie universe then Civil War is the popcorn movie for you.

Just don’t over think it.

3/5