CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR
Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo
Cert: 12A. 147 mins
Captain America: Civil War is not only an entertaining blockbuster, but also explores questions of division and unity, power and freedom.
When public outcry surges due to collateral damage from battles involving the Avengers, they’re told to accept government oversight. Steve Rogers / Captain America (Chris Evans) is against this, whereas Tony Stark / Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) is in favour of it.
Correspondingly, each superhero then chooses to side with either Team Cap or Team Iron Man, motivated by a strong sense either of loyalty to other characters, or what they believe to be right, or both.
Captain America, particularly, is driven not only by his instinctive love of freedom, but also by his lifelong friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), who’s framed, but seeks a life free from his past as a brainwashed assassin.
Captain America’s great efforts for Bucky’s redemption and protection could be considered Christ-like.
The key thematic conflict is treated in a very even-handed way, so you can understand where both sides are coming from. It’s like Shakespeare in that respect, but with better action sequences.
Reluctant to fight
The characters are generally reluctant to fight against their former teammates and for the most part try not to kill each other. This could be seen as lowering the stakes of the story, but arguably it’s refreshing, since it adds nuance: the characters still care about each other and yearn for things to be made right. Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in particular, who has a similar past to Bucky but has come a long way since then, tries to be a peacemaker.
It’s both amusing and charming how the witty, everyman superheroes, Scott Lang / Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) and Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Tom Holland), totally geek out about being around the other superheroes. (This is Spider-Man’s first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.)
Integrity and love
Redemptive themes shine through, such as the need for conflict to be handled with integrity, communication and love; as well as the importance of seeking redemption rather than vengeance.
There are two end credits scenes, setting up forthcoming movies for both Black Panther and Spider-Man.
