At this point, it’s easy to lose track of all of the superhero movies to date, whether it be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC or any other kind, there are simply too many to keep up with now. With some disappointing flicks like “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” it’s easy to think that the genre is getting tired, but that doesn’t mean that Marvel doesn’t have about 15 more cards up their sleeve to play, with the first being “Captain America: Civil War.” Almost posing as a faux-Avengers film, it’s not hard to draw the comparisons between the films, but despite the presence of everyone except for Thor and the Hulk, it makes it very much a Captain America film. With returning directors Anthony and Joe Russo, who directed “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” the best Marvel Studios film to date, there was a lot to live up to in this new sequel and a lot that could go south really fast if not handled properly.

Let’s get two things out of the way right now. 1. I am wholeheartedly Team Iron Man. 2. “Captain America: Civil War” is hands down the best Marvel film to date.

Chris Evans’ Captain America might not be the most interesting superhero out there, as his boy next door charm and good ol’ American boy attitude have been seen in countless films before him, the way in which Steve Rogers acts and reacts in this new, modern world he woke up in only five years prior is still an interesting sight to behold. In this film, seeing his conflict with Robert Downey, Jr’s Iron Man is also another new layer to Steve and Tony Stark’s character that we haven’t seen before. Yes, they bickered and argued a few times in the previous “Avengers” films, but obviously nothing to this scale once. Tony’s snarky wit clashing so tightly with Steve’s unwavering idealism is almost as exciting as the film’s many different action sequences, but only almost.

That’s because the action sequences in “Captain America: Civil War,” including the climactic airport battle are some of the best action sequences you will see this year in any film. While they are quick paced, the Russo brothers never make the film feel overly frenetic and headache-inducing, like so many other films find themselves in. The larger sequences in the film are a beauty to behold, but much like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” the Russo brothers have also crafted a sterile beauty from the quieter scenes in underground bunkers, labs, compounds and the many other government facilities the film finds itself in. Because of this bright look to the film, “Captain America: Civil War” is a film highly deserving of the 3D format and one that is executed very well. Yet, unlike “The Jungle Book,” this film can be enjoyed in 2D as well. While I can comment on the 3D, Marvel Studios did not screen the film for press in IMAX, for which some sequences of the film were shot in using the new Arri Digital IMAX camera. While I can’t speak on the sequences shot in the format, there’s no doubt that this film needs to be experienced on the largest screen possible.

What makes “Captain America: Civil War” different and almost more special than a typical Avengers film is that this film gives way for far more development on the lesser focused on Avengers, like Scarlet Witch, Vision, Falcon, Ant-Man and War Machine. These smaller moments of development are parts noticeably absent from the mainline Avengers films to focus on the main four that are Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and the Hulk. If this film proves anything, it’s that these characters are just as important and interesting as any of the other ones detailed throughout the entire cinematic universe.

But speaking of interesting new characters, we are introduced to two new superheroes in this film to fight in the grand battle; one you’ve seen before and one you haven’t. After “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” bombed critically and financially, it came time for Marvel Studios to reclaim their property from Sony and while they only managed to find shared custody with the character, Marvel Studios now has the rights to use him in their cinematic universe, which they have done spectacularly here. After almost 10 years of disappointment with the Spider-Man character, I can finally say that I have regained a sense of anticipation and understanding from newcomer Tom Holland. Unlike the previous actors, Holland is an actual teenager who exudes Peter Parker’s gleeful adolescent energy wonderfully. For the first time in a long time, I get the sense that writers have actually understood and executed the Peter Parker character fabulously, to which gets my seal of approval. While Spider-Man is familiar, audiences get a taste of a new hero in the form of Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman. While Black Panther wasn’t given an insane amount of time to shine, his backstory and origin, covered very quickly in this film, set up wonderfully for his own solo film, which releases in 2018.

Unlike another superhero fight film, “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” I actually got a clear sense of why these two heroes were fighting and was able to see both sides of the fight, rather than just watching in a confuse state as to why these two heroes hate each other. It also gives way for audiences to take a proper side when they are aware of the actual stakes at hand, with a clear split in my theatre of those who are Team Iron Man and those who were Team Cap, it created a far more fun atmosphere to have in a theater, rather than simply putting two heroes together to fight just because you can as a writer.

“Captain America: Civil War” is the best film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date. I wouldn’t be this enthusiastic about the film if I were not completely serious with it, because I see no reason to overly praise the superhero genre when there are so many films being released left and right, but this film is special in every way. Blowing every other recent superhero film out of the water, the Russo brothers have a clear understanding of how to build a universe without completely stepping on the toes of the other films surrounding it, making them a perfect fit to direct the upcoming Avengers sequel “Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1 and 2.” At 146 minutes, “Captain America: Civil War” is a long film, but unlike “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” this film never felt long, but rather moved and flowed naturally from one scene to the other and knew exactly when to cut the film off, leaving off a perfect thrill for the next film. Going above and beyond any standard set beforehand, “Captain America: Civil War” is a Marvel film like none other and there will probably never be one like it again.

5/5

Directed by: Anthony and Joe Russo
Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Marisa Tomei, Tom Holland, Frank Grillo, Martin Freeman, with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl.
Runtime: 146 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for extended sequences of violence, action and mayhem.
Also available in Disney Digital 3D, RealD 3D and IMAX 3D.

Marvel Studios presents, “Captain America: Civil War”