Home EntertainmentMovies Captain America: Civil War Review

Captain America: Civil War Review

by Nick Stucker

Oh there is nothing like it than seeing your favorite superheros go head to head on the silver screen, especially when it’s none other than the titular Captain America and Iron Man. And when you just throw in Black Panther and (finally) Spider-Man? Nothing compares to it but only adding fuel to the ever growing fire.

Being the direct sequel of 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War takes place shortly after the second Avengers film and the sidelined Ant-Man film. Because of the events spanning from the first Avengers movie (The Battle of New York from the Chitauri invasion) to the very beginning of Civil War, the government has had enough of The Avengers being unregulated and want to finally put some control over them and decide when and where to use them, if at all. Wanting to remain autonomous, Captain America doesn’t agree with it since he feels that “governments with agendas change”, as he so rightly puts it in the film. However due to a revelation early on in the movie, Iron Man fully agrees with the government’s decision, and thus the schism between the two begins while a new unseen enemy lurks in the shadows with a more sinister agenda .

Action-wise, like any other MCU film, it is on par: there is non-stop action, fighting and a very climatic, yet somewhat emotional fight toward the end. Without a doubt, this is probably the most dark and emotional MCU film to date. The introduction of Black Panther seems to fit due to the plot, whereas for Spider-Man, movie-wise, it was good. But compared to the comics and more importantly, using the Civil War backdrop for his much anticipated introduction into the MCU family, not so much. Spider-Man literally almost dies in the comics when forced to reveal his identity, not to mention the other handful of heroes and villains that die in the fight or are imprisoned for not following with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the U.S. Government’s ruling on registering superheros. For in the comics, The Super Human Registration Act is what separates the scores of heroes and even villains after a cataclysmic accident occurs; this is what was adapted to the film to create the fracture between Captain America and Iron Man, but only loosely. Certain points were taken and used from the comics for the film; yes, we would all have liked to see the silver screen filled to the brim with scores upon scores of heroes and villains, but in reality and really for the movie’s budget, that just wasn’t going to happen.

This is just the tip of the iceberg though; with comparing the Civil War comics to the film itself, the two are not wholly the same. But then again what film or television adaptation is. For those who have read the Civil War comics, there is a lot that goes on. In the film you have about 12 well known figures and superheros; in the comics, it literally is an all out war. You have the Fantastic Four, X-Men, the Punisher, scores of villains and even the Hulk and Thor (who are absent in the film unfortunately). In the comics, many heroes and villains die while others go into hiding or into a specially created prison.

You can never really accurately compare a film adaptation to its original source; take Harry Potter for example: how did J.K. Rowling let them get away with that?  Captain America: Civil War delivers like any other MCU film does and doesn’t disappoint; however for those that actively read the comics as well, then unfortunately you may be a little disappointed. The film is no doubt a water downed version of the comics; but it still tastes good regardless.

 

+ posts

I am married to a beautiful and devoted woman; I have been writing for over ten years now with one science fiction novel published and currently working on a couple screenplays. I am a college graduate with a Masters in criminal justice and currently furthering my education for my Ph.D in criminal justice. In my off time, I game on Xbox and my gaming computer when time permits.

Related Articles