With how much audiences have been bombarded by superhero films in the last decade, it’s easy to feel jaded.
After watching the much-lambasted Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it was easy to feel that the superhero genre craze may have finally started to wear out, but leave it to Marvel to pull a rabbit out of their collective hats.
With all the hype surrounding Captain America: Civil War, there was always the chance the film would fall flat, but if anything it transcends itself above the typical superhero fray with the perfect amount of action, comedy, drama and plot.
Indeed, it could well be described as the crown jewel in Marvel’s cinematic universe treasure chest.
This time around, it’s Team Cap vs. Team Iron Man, as the after-effects of the mass destruction and civilian casualties caused in Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron are brought to the forefront.
The United Nations demands accountability for the actions of the Avengers, and looks to set restrictions on the team as a way of keeping them in check. Iron Man agrees (out of personal guilt), Cap doesn’t.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.
Directors Anthony and Joe Russo (of Captain America: The Winter Soldier fame) along with screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely are able to perform a stellar juggling act, incorporating nine heroes, a brand new super-villain, and another half-dozen characters from Marvel’s ever-expanding universe to produce something magical.
Even though the film presents itself as the third Captain America film, in reality this is Avengers 3, where the stakes have been pumped up to 11.
Those familiar with the comic series by Mark Millar – which the film is based on – will find that while much of the storyline has been changed, and many characters (Hulk, Thor, Nick Fury, to name a few) are missing, the film more than makes up for it with the introduction of several newcomers, chief among them Black Panther (a terrific Chadwick Boseman), who plays a major part in one of the post-credits scenes, and the most accurate portrayal of Spider-man (played to perfection by Tom Holland) yet seen on film.
All of the usual Marvel stalwarts – Chris Evans (Cap), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), Anthony Mackie (Falcon), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Paul Bettany (Vision), Paul Rudd (in a hilarious small part as Ant-Man) – all deliver the goods, as expected.
We’ve seen these actors play these parts for so long now it’s almost unfathomable to picture anyone else in their respective roles.
Civil War doesn’t break any new ground, but what it does do is bring the fun and fireworks, audiences have come to expect from Marvel, with the story of a broken-down Avengers family pulling on the heartstrings.
At a special advance screening of the film at a packed Cochrane Movie House on May 5, it was evident no one left the show unhappy. This is what a superhero movie should look and feel like: Fun for all ages.
We couldn’t ask for a better start to the summer blockbuster season.
For more information on local screenings of Captain America: Civil War, visit www.cochranemoviehouse.com
