Captain America: Civil War

The Civil War saga in the Marvel comic books was a sprawling epic story arc that impacted every comic Marvel put out. Naturally, adapting this story line to the Marvel Cinematic universe was going to see some pretty sweeping changes. That being said, Captain America: Civil War was pretty damn good in it's own right. 

After their latest mission goes south and ends in some unexpected collateral damage, the United Nation puts forth a motion to present accords to the world's governments that The Avengers work directly as part of the United Nations so that there can be some accountability to their actions. Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.) is all for it, feeling the team could use some oversight rather than act on their own volition. Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans), with the Hydra infiltration of SHIELD and ensuing government corruption still fresh in his mind, rejects the accords on the grounds he feels that The Avengers should operate separate from any Government body fearing that said entity may decide to exploit them for their own ends. Meanwhile, a mysterious man named Zemo (played by Daniel Bruhl) is digging up records of the old Russian Winter Soldier program, intending to use Steve's old friend Bucky Barnes (played by Sebastian Stan) for his own ends. When an explosive attack on the signing of the United Nation Avengers accords leaves several dead and Bucky as the apparent attacker, the Avengers are split right down the middle. Steve believes Bucky is innocent and sets off to try and find him to prove it, breaking the accords and turning fugitive in the process. 

This year has kind of been the year for Superhero smackdowns and between the two films, because it's impossible to talk about this one and not acknowledge Batman v Superman, this film works far better because they've earned the dramatic weight they're trying to achieve over the course of several films. There are developed and deep relationships between this team of heros and when it comes down to Iron Man vs. Captain America it has an intensity and is hard to watch because you know these guys were friends first and foremost. Coupling that with well done performances by both Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans and the whole this just works. It also helps that the movie is smartly written with a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely that balances the two sides and it's easy to see both sides of the issue.

I have to also give props to the newcomers to this film. This outing introduced Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther and Tom Holland as Peter Parker, otherwise known as Spider-man. Both nailed their roles and in the interest of not spoiling too much I won't go into major details as to how they factor into the film. Marisa Tomei also shows up as Peter's Aunt May, who Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark briefly flirts with, recalling their wonderful chemistry from the criminally underrated Only You. I also have to credit the fantastic special effects in this film, especially an early quasi-flashback scene with a de-aged Robert Downey Jr. that left my jaw on the floor. Seriously, it looked like he shot the scene back in 1987 on a day off from Less Than Zero or something. 

Overall, Captain America: Civil War is another strong entry in the Marvel Cinematic universe with a strong script and equally strong direction by Joe and Anthony Russo and acting by a capable cast to match.