Captain America: Civil War (2016) starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, …
Captain America: Civil War begins with an incident involving the Avengers. It results in collateral damage — and civilian injuries. Then, political pressure mounts to hold the team accountable — which means under government control. The resulting battle drives a wedge between Captain America and Iron Man, and pits the Avengers against each other.
Review
The Captain America movies have been as much heart, and something to think about, in addition to action, fights, and explosions. That continues with Captain America Civil War. After a mission with the Avengers goes horribly wrong, civilians are injured. Some are killed. And this leads to the government wanting to take control. Specifically, the United Nations. Which, since they’re composed of dictators as well as democracies, is a terrifying prospect for some. What if a dictator orders them to kill an opponent? Or orders them to simply stand by, and do nothing, as they commit atrocities? That’s a very real debate in Captain America: Civil War. But, there’s an opposite side to the argument.
Does nobody control them? Do they have the right to go anywhere, and do anything, for “the greater good”? Who will stop them if they step out of line?
Driving the movie to this point is an enemy that the Avengers don’t even know they have. An intelligent, resourceful, bitter man. He can’t match their power, so he’s orchestrating things so that they tear each other apart. And he commits a political assassination, and puts the blame on Bucky Barnes — the Winter Soldier. And the son of one of the men he’s murdered wants to kill him in revenge. Later, Tony Starks learns that the mind-controlled Winter Soldier is responsible for the murder of his parents. And he also wants to kill him. Revenge, not justice. After all, Bucky was being mind-controlled by Hydra. So, he’s not responsible. Is he?
Critical moments
- During a battle, an enemy plants a seed of doubt in Captain America. “He said ‘Bucky’ and suddenly I was that 16-year-old boy from Brooklyn again.”
- Wanda trying to live with the knowledge that she injured, and killed, individuals in the heat of battle. Accidentally, but they’re still dead.
- Peggy Carter’s funeral. “No, you move.”
- The Avengers debating who should be in control. Corrupt government? Or individuals, who can be corrupted. Or simply misinformed. Or wrong.
- Tony Stark recruiting a young Spider-Man to #TeamIronMan
- Ant-Man becoming Giant Man in the massive, well-staged fight.
- War Machine / Rhodey becomes critically injured towards the end of the battle.
- Tony Stark realizes that Steve Rogers knew that Bucky was responsible for the murder of Tony’s parents. And held the information back from Tony.
- T’Challa confronting Zemo: T’Challa: “Vengeance has consumed you. It’s consuming them. I’m done letting it consume me.” In many ways, the highlight of the movie.
Conclusion
Steve Rogers: [letter to Stark] Tony, I’m glad you’re back at the compound. I don’t like the idea of you rattling around a mansion by yourself. We all need family. The Avengers are yours, maybe more so than mine. I’ve been on my own since I was 18. I never really fit in anywhere, even in the army. My faith’s in people, I guess. Individuals. And I’m happy to say that, for the most part, they haven’t let me down. Which is why I can’t let them down either. Locks can be replaced, but maybe they shouldn’t. I know I hurt you, Tony. I guess I thought by not telling you about your parents I was sparing you, but I can see now that I was really sparing myself, and I’m sorry. Hopefully one day you can understand. I wish we agreed on the Accords, I really do. I know you’re doing what you believe in, and that’s all any of us can do. That’s all any of us should… So no matter what, I promise you, if you need us – if you need me – I’ll be there. [Tony looks at a flip phone Steve sent him]
Cast of characters
- Chris Evans (Captain America: The First Avenger) … Steve Rogers / Captain America
- Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) … Tony Stark / Iron Man
- Scarlett Johansson (Iron Man 2) … Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
- Sebastian Stan (Captain America: Winter Soldier) … Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
- Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Winter Soldier) … Sam Wilson / Falcon
- Don Cheadle (Iron Man 3) … Lieutenant James Rhodes / War Machine
- Jeremy Renner (Avengers: Age of Ultron) … Clint Barton / Hawkeye
- Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) … T’Challa / Black Panther
- Paul Bettany (WandaVision) … Vision
- Elizabeth Olsen (Godzilla 2014) … Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch
- Paul Rudd (Ant-Man) … Scott Lang / Ant-Man
- Emily VanCamp … Sharon Carter
- Tom Holland (Spider-Man: No Way Home) … Peter Parker / Spider-Man
- Daniel Brühl … Zemo
- Frank Grillo … Brock Rumlow / Crossbones
- William Hurt … Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross
- Martin Freeman (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) … Everett K. Ross
- Marisa Tomei … May Parker
- John Kani … King T’Chaka
- John Slattery … Howard Stark
- Hope Davis (Real Steel) … Maria Stark
Editorial review of Captain America: Civil War courtesy of Amazon.com
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.