It’s happening. The Avengers really are splitting up. Whether this will end in a full breakup or it’s just a glitch that will ultimately make the group of individually spectacular superheroes stronger, we do not know. Although it is classed as a Captain America film, and very much follows on from The Winter Soldier, it could easily be seen as an Ironman film too; in fact, some may say that Ironman had the more upsetting and relatable story of the two leaders.
Although the film starts with an eye-catching fight scene between numerous Avengers and some bad guys, which grabs your attention straight away in true Marvel form, it must be said that the rest of the film takes a very different rhythm to previous Marvel movies. It takes a slower approach to opening up the story than usual, mainly due to the fact there’s more than one story running throughout the film, so it takes a little longer to set them up. But stay with it, and keep patient, because it’s certainly worth it, and although we have all seen the pictures of which Avenger is on whose side (Cap or Stark), this explains why each ends up on the side that they pick. Once the teams have been made up, it’s instantly obvious from the get go that both sides are perfectly matched, which makes this huge fight scene that all comic book fans have been waiting for, even more epic than anyone could imagine.
We’re introduced to two new superheroes that have joined the Marvel Universe (all be it at a rather rocky time for the Avengers). Black Panther – played by Chadwick Boseman, is a Prince of the African nation of Wakonda, which is protected by the entity of the Black Panther. The film shows a brief introduction as to how T’Challa becomes this superhero, and gives a great outline of the character ready for his own film in 2018.
The other new superhero to make his first appearance is that young lad you may have heard of; Spiderman – played by Tom Holland. He doesn’t make as many appearances as Black Panther and doesn’t play as big a role, but arguably steals the show during the main civil war fight scene. The young, cheeky and enthusiastic persona encompassed by Holland’s take on the character is something that has been lost in the last two attempts at creating this character for the big screen. Although the film didn’t go into detail on how Peter Parker gained his spider-like abilities, that’s sure to come up in his stand alone film in 2017. The comic relief brought from Spidey, aided by Ant-Man’s equally humorous personality makes for more fun and laughs during this Civil War fight than any previous Marvel films.
The film is bound to create a clash of opinions from all Marvel fans, and will undoubtedly spark plenty of debates. With Captain America fighting more on the side of freedom and proving Bucky’s innocence, and Ironman’s fight being about the need for more surveillance and control over The Avengers Initiative since the apparent loss of S.H.I.E.L.D. Even the fans that may already know whose side they are on before watching the film could have moments when they have a change of heart. Although there is a typical Marvel villain within the film, the storyline between Captain America, Bucky and Ironman takes over, and it becomes your choice as to who the real villain is – if there even is one.
This film is different to other Marvel films, and you have to go into the cinema knowing this. But that isn’t a negative; in fact it actually works as a positive, shaking up the Marvel Cinematic Universe like it hasn’t been done before. The film also ends at a very unexpected point with no conclusion to the civil war, leaving you walking out of the cinema feeling a little frustrated and excited to see what is yet to come. And, of course, don’t leave before the credits have finished rolling.
Captain America: Civil War is on general release now.
Captain America: Civil War Trailer
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