Captain America: Civil War adds moral dilemma to bang-pow action, says CBC's Eli Glasner
Fun superhero romp delivers drama with cast of distinctive characters
Spoiler Warning: Attention true believers, there are references to new characters, also featured in the trailers.
At the heart of the latest Marvel movie Captain America: Civil War is an amazing shape-shifting ability. It is a film that confronts the consequences of super-heroic intervention, while also providing a popcorn-worthy bang-pow experience.
It's impossible to avoid comparing Civil War with the all-too solemn Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice because they explore the same terrain. Is the collateral damage created by these enhanced beings too high a price to pay? Are they the cause or the cure?
After a harrowing opening set piece in Lagos, Nigeria, Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt) confronts the assembled Avengers with a sobering tally: New York; Washington D.C.; Sokovia. The lives lost from the city-shaking battles are mounting.
The United Nations wants the Avengers on a leash. First step, sign the Sokovia Accord, named after the European city that had the misfortune of being the setting of evil Ultron's climactic battle.
With conflict comes catastrophe
As the android Vision so eloquently explains, the very presence of the heroes invites challenge, and with conflict comes catastrophe.
Since Iron Man's first emergence, the number of disasters has increased. But while Batman talked himself into confronting Superman with logic flimsier than Clark's forelock, the conflict in Civil War is the natural outcome of two characters' back story.
As Tony Stark/Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. has become the conflicted conscience of the team. A swaggering genius with the means to create an armada of weapons, he struggles with the best way to deploy his gifts. Downey's talent has always been to infuse his charisma with a slice of something haunted. With the furrowed brow, the hint of exhaustion, we get the sense of the guilt he carries.
Then there`s Chris Evans as Captain America. He began as the literal poster boy for the war effort, but he's witnessed the danger of unchecked authority first-hand (during the events in Captain America: Winter Soldier), hence his reluctance over the United Nations' ultimatum.
Spidey soars, Panther pouts
Similar to Batman v Superman, Civil War acts as a launching pad for a string of new spinoffs. But whereas the introductions in Batman v Superman were laborious and awkward (let`s watch Wonder Woman click on encrypted files!) Civil War introduces Spider-Man with such panache it's a pity we have to wait until July 2017 for the followup. As young Peter Parker, Tom Holland hits every note with a fresh energy all his own.
The only real fumble is Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther. With a forthcoming film directed by Ryan Coogler, there's lot riding on Panther's shoulders. Boseman's version of the African king finds the proud warrior holding his own and then some. With a hint of a South African accent, T'Challa is noble, but frankly dull compared with the rest of the flawed and funny characters.
Fascinating face-offs
The real magic of Marvel is how in this baker's dozen of heroes, all seem likable and compelling in their own distinctive ways: the earnest Evans as the undaunted Captain America; Falcon and War Machine, the regular soldiers trying to keep up in a world of titans; Black Widow, the ex-spy torn between her allegiances; Vision, the sweater-wearing android grappling with his own emotional evolution; and Hawkeye, the retired covert agent turned family man pulled back into the fray.
Part of this credit is due to the dynamic duo of screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who keep things moving while wedging in more locations than a Bond movie marathon. As well, co-directing brother act Anthony and Joe Russo avoid overwhelming the audience, separating the combatants into a series of fascinating faceoffs — Ant-Man vs. Spider-Man, Hawkeye vs. Black Widow.
And as always, between the plasma blasts, a constant backbeat of one-liners. Paul Rudd in particular steals the show as the awestruck Ant-Man, who goes full fanboy in the presence of Captain America.
There comes a point when Iron Man tells Cap to stay down; you kind of wish he'd listen.
The biggest problem with Civil War is that the various subplots — the new villain played with finesse by Daniel Bruhl, the fate of the brainwashed Bucky — can't compete with the satisfying smash of comic characters colliding. Which is why perhaps Civil War pits them against each other one too many times. There comes a point when Iron Man tells Cap to stay down, and you kind of wish he'd listen.
While Civil War lacks is the sense of closure the first Avengers film provided. Marvel mega-producer Kevin Feige is playing the long game here, shuffling the deck and setting new story lines in motion that will likely pay off in the next Avengers instalment.
While suffering from some of the inevitable signs of blockbuster bloating, Captain America: Civil War is a potent reminder of Marvel's greatest power — the human element beneath the suits of iron and spandex.
RATING: 4 out of 5 stars
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