Captain America: Civil War: An Embarrassment of Riches

By now you're already aware that Captain America: Civil War is a critically acclaimed, audience-approved movie. So the point of this blog post is merely to elucidate what makes this movie so great, and convince any stragglers that it is definitely worth the price of admission.

First off, do not let the title fool you. This is not a Captain America movie, this is an Avengers movie that couldn't be named as such due to delicate contract negotiations. This movie treats us to a plethora of superheroes that we have been accumulating over the course of several years as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). If it wasn't enough to include familiar figures like Captain America, Bucky Barnes, Iron Man, Falcon, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, Vision, Ant-Man, and War Machine, Marvel has the gall to toss in two brand new characters, Spider-Man and Black Panther, who are soon due for their own standalone movies in the MCU. And yet somehow, this profusion of characters doesn't remotely bog down the proceedings. Instead, the script magically whips through the introductions, seamlessly integrating all these heroes and heroines into a truly fascinating showdown over the need for government oversight. Trust me, it's a lot more fascinating than it sounds.

None of the actors disappoint and they all seem to relish lobbing one-liners and punches off each other to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts. This is a funny movie, it is an exciting movie, and it is also a thought-provoking movie. The screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely is a masterclass in how to weave together multiple storylines and create a tapestry instead of a tangle. Much credit is also due to the Russo brothers, who have clearly cracked the code on how to direct a pitch-perfect Marvel movie and ensure that weighty topics are counterbalanced with levity and death-defying action sequences.

Given the timing, it is inevitable to compare this film to Batman v Superman and wonder at how the Marvel and DC universes continue to do things so incredibly differently. The key point appears to be their treatment of superheroes and consequences. Marvel understands that the idea of men and women dressing up to fight bad guys is inherently ridiculous and never shies away from poking fun at the characters and their foibles. But it takes the consequences of their actions extremely seriously, and every movie has been increasingly preoccupied with death tolls and collateral damage, leading to this film's fundamental conflict amongst the Avengers about whether they should be beholden to governmental bodies instead of taking matters into their own hands. On the other hand, the DC movies glorify their heroes, treating them like paragons of superhuman prowess who must not be mocked; but the shocking devastation that they wreak in the course of their adventures doesn't make anyone bat an eyelash.

Captain America: Civil War is a multi-faceted marvel of a Marvel movie. It showcases everything that we have come to expect from a superhero movie - spectacular action, wit and verve, seriousness of purpose that goes hand-in-hand with self-deprecating humor, and overall, a unique cinematic experience. I keep waiting for the day when I will be bored by a Marvel movie, but somehow they find ways to innovate and reinvigorate the franchise every year. Yes, these are superhero movies, but it seems lazy to say they are "just" superhero movies. Underneath the costumes and gadgets, they are exploring deeply human stories and conflicts. The MCU has infinite possibilities and thirteen films in, it feels like they're only getting started.