CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR REVIEW - "WE USED TO BE FAMILY." [SPOILERS]

*Sigh. If only DC Comics could make movies like this. I recently read that 'Captain America: Civil War' was a direct response to 'Batman v. Superman.' Well, let this DC fan be the first to tell you that Marvel does 'Batman v. Superman' better than DC Comics/Warner Brothers does. It's such a shame. Someone at DC Comics/Warner Brothers Studios needs a different job because they really suck at making superhero films. This problem goes beyond Zack Synder and Henry Cavill--both of whom I firmly believe need to be replaced as well.

In the past I have had issues with Marvel Studio Head Kevin Feige--namely because of his refusal to feature female superheroes in starring roles. But Marvel has changed this stance once DC announced the 'Wonder Woman' film. Feige has publicly committed to making films featuring Captain Marvel and Black Widow. So whatever DC does, it seems Marvel just does it better (with regard to film). DC Comics has the corner market on television. Bless DC Comics' hearts, but Marvel Studios sure knows how to make a good superhero movie and they know how to use their character catalog. Unlike DC, they're not stuck making Batman or Superman films for 40 years. Side note: I would exclude 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' from the "good movie" category.

STAYING TOGETHER IS MORE IMPORTANT

THAN HOW WE STAY TOGETHER.

[Natasha Romanoff.]

Getting to the topic at hand--the great thing about 'Civil War' is that it truly felt like an 'Avengers' film. 'Civil War' was the Avengers film that 'Age of Ultron' should have been. When I reviewed 'Age of Ultron' last year I thought the problem was that there were too many characters to feature. Yet 'Civil War' has even more characters. The difference between 'Civil War' and 'Age of Ultron' is that 'Civil War' features Captain America at its heart and rightfully so. Whereas 'Age of Ultron' was all over the place, 'Civil War' is focused.

YOU'RE A WANTED MAN. 

[Steve Rogers.]

I DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE.

[Bucky Barnes.]

THEY'RE NOT PLANNING ON TAKING YOU ALIVE.

[Steve Rogers.]

The film begins with the origins of the Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) who is Captain America/Steve Rogers' (Chris Evans) best friend and fallen comrade in arms. We learn how the mad scientists kept Bucky brainwashed with a flashback scene in 1991. Bucky was tasked with running a car off the road to retrieve a package. We don't know the significance of this act or who he has run off the road, but we can assume it's important.

ARE YOU SAYING THEY'LL COME FOR ME?

[Wanda Maximoff.]

WE WOULD PROTECT YOU.

[Vison.]

As I noted above, 'Civil War' was made in response to 'Batman v. Superman.' However, the storyline is taken directly from the comics. In the comics a young group of superheroes takes on a group of villains they weren't prepared for, which results in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. In the film, the Wanda/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olson) accidentally diverts an explosion into a crowded building. This incident (among others) is enough to create an outcry for regulation of the Avengers.

I KNOW WE'RE NOT PERFECT BUT, 

THE SAFEST HANDS ARE STILL OUR OWN.

[Steve Rogers.]

After a grieving mother (Alfre Woodard) accuses Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) of murdering her son, Stark agrees with the rest of the world (117 countries) and signs an accord giving the United Nations power and oversight over the Avengers. Steve is the holdout. It doesn't help matters that Steve's "frienemy" the Winter Soldier is being accused of causing an explosion that kills Wakanda's president and emboldens his son T'Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) to seek revenge. Side note: Chadwick is my friend's first cousin. Small world.

I DIDN'T KILL YOUR FATHER. 

[Bucky Barnes.]

THEN WHY DID YOU RUN?

[T'Challa.]

The world and the Avengers want to bring the Winter Soldier to justice, but Steve knows his friend has been previously brainwashed and suspects he is innocent. This causes a rift between Steve and the Avengers, namely Tony Stark. That's when the fun begins. Tony recruits none other than Peter Parker/Spiderman (Tom Holland) and Steve recruits Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) for some fantastic cameo roles. I was a little disappointed at the idea of yet another Spiderman franchise. Seriously, Peter Parker's origin story has been done to death over the last 10 years, but that's exactly why he works so well in this film. His character needs no introduction.

BUT HE'S MY FRIEND.

[Steve Rogers.]

SO WAS I.

[Tony Stark.]

The film is not without major flaws-- one of which was the lack of a villain. Marvel tends to have this problem. Loki (Tom Hiddleston) was the best villain Marvel has had. Most of the other villains have been mediocre at best. 'Civil War' is no different. The villain of the film is just some disgruntled guy played by Daniel Brühl. There's not much backstory as to how he is able to do the things he does. There's only a vague explanation as to why. This is where the storyline weakens. Perhaps this was intentional, as in the comics there wasn't necessarily a villain responsible for the civil war. I don't know, but the lack of the villain's backstory was noticeable.

WHAT DO WE DO?

[Sam Wilson.]

WE FIGHT.

[Steve Rogers].

Also noticeable was the length of the film. The film felt every inch of 147 minutes (or 2-1/2 hours). There were many unnecessary scenes that could have been cut, bringing the film closer to 2 hours. What the film gets right is the energy and the anger between Tony and Steve--juxtaposed by Steve and Bucky's friendship. There was a moment of banter between Steve and Bucky that was really lovely. I wish there had been more banter, and less everything else.

I'M TRYING TO KEEP YOU FROM

TEARING THE AVENGERS APART.

[Tony Stark.]

YOU DID THAT WHEN YOU SIGNED.

[Steve Rogers.]

I should also note that there is no "passing around" of Black Widow. I think the makers of this film took a few clues from the insane Widow storyline in 'Age of Ultron' and went in the opposite direction. It wasn't difficult to do since the film centers on Captain America. That said, there were a few heavy handed hints that Vision (Paul Bettany) has fallen in love with the Scarlet Witch. That's fine, but don't give the Scarlet Witch a new love interest in each new film. Give us some consistency.

CAN YOU MOVE YOUR SEAT UP?

[Bucky Barnes.]

NO.

[Sam Wilson.]

The film ends in the climatic fight scene between Captain America, the Winter Soldier, and Iron Man, which is nothing short of fantastic. This is a probably my favorite scene in the film. It was well choreographed and well acted. I should also say something about Sebastian Stan, who is perfectly broody as the Winter Soldier. Evans is still terrific as Captain America. It's difficult to play the "good guy." It's so much easier to play a sarcastic oaf or a crude villain. Playing a happy go lucky, nice guy with a perfect smile is more difficult than it seems. Evans really doesn't get the credit he deserves for bringing this character to life.

STAY DOWN...FINAL WARNING. 

[Tony Stark.]

I CAN DO THIS ALL DAY.

[Steve Rogers]

This is not a film that inspires deep thinking, heartfelt talks, or beautiful cinematography, but it's incredibly entertaining and fun to watch. It's a popcorn movie and a darn good one at that. The best thing about this film is that the filmmakers (Anthony and Joe Russo) understand that the audience is not stupid. 'Captain America: Civil War' is just as good, if not better than its predecessors. No easy task, since 'The Winter Soldier' was a great sequel. If only all superhero films were as good as the 'Captain America' films then I'd have nothing to complain about.

FOUR OUT OF FIVE STARS.