Captain America: Civil War Reviews Roundup
After the blockbuster season's first big superhero movie (DC Comic's much hyped Batman V Superman) flopped with critics, the Marvel universe returns to the forefront with the just-as-hyped Captain America: Civil War. The film, which pits superhero factions led by Captain America and Ironman against each other, has not pitted critics against each other — pretty much all of them think it's really dang good.
It's The Perfect Antidote To The Endlessly Grim 'Batman V Superman'
While [Batman V Superman] was severe and downcast, Civil War is expansive, at times even light. BvS strove to redefine its superheroes to fit newer, darker, borderline-sociopathic molds; Civil War finds conflict in its characters' more ennobling qualities: Captain America's idealism, Iron Man's pragmatism, Black Widow's resourcefulness.
Does any of this sound familiar? Two iconic heroes duking it out over two-and-a-half epic hours… Angsty agonising over the collateral damage that ensues… Cameos from multiple costumed crusaders, just to make sure we're suitably hyped for the next ten movies. But luckily, 'Captain America: Civil War' is packed to bursting with the one ingredient its rival superhero smackdown 'Batman v Superman' lacked: joy.
[Time Out]
"Civil War" strikes that admirable balance: serious-minded action that never forgets to indulge in serious fun.
[The Wrap]
There Is… A Lot Going On, But It Works For The Most Part
The best way to think of Captain America: Civil War is as a toy box in which the sheer quantity of toys partly makes up for the lack of anything new.
[Vulture]
That Civil War doesn't collapse under the weight of its various moving parts, that it manages to be the most serious entry yet in this franchise of franchises without sacrificing much in the way of valuable comic relief, is a testament to the creative mojo of directors Joe and Anthony Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
[AV Club]
Civil War — which, for all intents and purposes, is Avengers 3 — is definitely on the upper tilt of that comic book curve, with a clear storyline and understandable character motivations, and action scenes that always have a little more thought put into them than might have been absolutely necessary. And yet you'll still end up with your head spinning by the end of the movie.
And It's Not The Most Original Movie Out There (But That's Okay)
Nothing in "Civil War" takes your breath away. All the exteriors are shrouded in the same overcast, indistinct light. Little in story terms is what you'd call daisy fresh. But almost everything in it works on its own prescribed terms, and the quiet moments register.
Sure, it's too much and way too familiar. But an emotional subtext bleeds into the kill zone…. Captain America: Civil War brings the fun, the fierce and the fireworks. Summer, we have liftoff.
The New Spiderman Is Excellent
[T]he plucky young British actor Tom Holland [dons] the nervous, nerdy mien of Peter Parker to terrifically scene-stealing effect. We may be watching a series of trailers for these characters' stand-alone projects, but they're damn good trailers, and they dutifully uphold the playful egalitarian spirit that defines the Marvel comic-book universe.
[Variety]
Previous movies have had issues balancing the youthful banter and scientific confidence of the comic-book wallcrawler, but Holland nails the role in every aspect.
As Is Fellow Newcomer Black Panther
[T]he introduction of T'Challa, aka Black Panther, is perfect and feels completely organic. The hero makes for a fantastic contrast the quick wit and smart mouths that most of the Avengers have in the heat of the moment. T'Challa is filled with such confidence and conviction that you get the feeling this is a man who has been a hero to his people for awhile. Nothing will get in the way of the safety of his people, and the world in general, but he's not without his own flaws.
Far more integral to the plot is fellow MCU newcomer Black Panther (ably played by Chadwick Boseman), who is as much a regal badass as Thor. Panther's fight scenes are very cool, his costume looks great, and his emotional arc essentially satisfies the need for an origin story in his own upcoming movie. As with Spidey, you're left wanting more of this character and it's regrettable that the inclusion of the web-slinger has stolen much of the buzz that should've accompanied Panther's film debut.
[IGN]
Oh Yeah, There's A Villain Too
There is a traditional bad guy in Civil War — Zemo (Daniel Bruhl) — but he has no special powers or big beams of destructive light. The script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely teases out his scheme as a mystery: We don't understand what he's doing or why until the film is almost over. His evil plan consists of behind-the-scenes manipulation. He's a stealth baddie: Iago instead of Thanos or Loki without his sceptre.
At first, Zemo feels like an odd, tangential presence in Civil War, yet the more we see of him, the more his mystery builds. While the film weaves the Bucky and regulation storylines together, it drops little bits of Zemo in, begging the question "What the hell is he up to?" Finally, when his intentions and plan are revealed, it's as shocking a moment as there's been in a Marvel movie to date.
[io9]
TL;DR
[T]his is a satisfying film that takes its characters but not itself seriously, and mixes sequences of wonder, visual wit and pathos in with the world-building and dramatic housekeeping.
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