By Sara Seibel
Marvel’s superhero movies are undoubtedly popular among the public, and Captain America is no exception. The action movie “Captain America: Civil War,” featuring a number of the Avengers, premiered on Friday, May 6.
Marvel Studios has continuously released comic book movie adaptations since the first “Captain America” in 1994. Ever since the Avengers assembled on the big screen four years ago, Marvel has steadily distributed sequels of the old superheroes people have come to love and have also introduced new heroes like “Ant-Man” into films. Now, some members of the Avengers reunite to join Captain America, played by Chris Evans, in this new film produced by Kevin Feige. Warning: Spoilers ahead.
After the Scarlet Witch, performed by Elizabeth Olsen, inadvertently caused the death of innocent people, the Avengers are faced with mutual conflict. The United Nations proposes the Sokovia Accords, limiting the Avengers’ powers and their ability to react to dangerous events. Captain America isn’t comfortable with the idea that he won’t have any control over his powers if he signs the Accords; however, Iron Man, played by Robert Downey Jr., believes the Avengers need to be kept in check and bear the repercussions after encountering the mother of a young man he took away years ago in the movie “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”
Falcon (Anthony Mackie), the Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), and Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), agree with Captain America and join forces with him. Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), War Machine (Don Cheadle), The Vision (Paul Bettany), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), and a newly introduced hero, Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), side with Iron Man.
It’s interesting to see all the superheroes split up into teams, especially Hawkeye and Black Widow, as they are really close friends in “The Avengers” movies. The mission of these two sides is quite clear: to pursue Bucky, otherwise known as the Winter Soldier, who is Captain America’s brainwashed sidekick. While Captain America is trying to prove his old friend’s innocence, Iron Man is trying to punish him by order for his crimes over the past decades. Iron Man also tries to capture Captain America because he is an accessory to crime. It is sad that violence had to come to this, but it was pretty much the entire plot of the movie.
A few surprises certainly shook the viewers throughout the film. The first one being a new, potentially permanent Avenger, the Black Panther. He adds a unique twist with his strong accent originating from the fictional country of Wakanda. His character was first introduced in the comic book “Fantastic Four #52” and is set to have his own individual movie in 2018. His mission in this movie was to avenge his father’s death after Bucky Barnes had allegedly set off an explosion, woefully killing many innocent lives, including his father. There is not enough evidence to prove it was Bucky, but I understand the Black Panther’s anger towards him.
Being no other than the amazing Spider-Man, this superhero also had a chance to shine. The huge buzz about him not being a character in the last movie worked, as he was finally invited to star in “The Avengers.” Instead of following the previous films of “The Amazing Spider-Man,” he begins as a teenage boy who started his own heroic journey after recently gaining spider-like powers and being inspired by the Avengers. I actually like that he starts out young so he can continue fighting for the Avengers in later years. Spider-Man was discovered by Tony Stark who showed interest in his aunt, which was a really humorous scene
The last hero introduced in this Captain America film was Ant-Man, also known as Scott Lang, who deservingly had his own movie last year. His funny and easy-going personality brought a lot to the table, even though the superhero only got to show off his shrinking and growing powers in one fight scene. Ant-Man, with an unfortunate fate, got captured and imprisoned in a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. facility with Falcon, Scarlet Witch, and Hawkeye by Iron Man.
While a lot may have happened in these short two-and-a-half hours, the film was set up quite well. Although the first acts may be a bit jumbled up in some scenes, all of the characters are handled in an organized way, even with the surprises thrown in. The film didn’t feel choppy or rushed thanks to the two directors Joe and Anthony Russo.
“Captain America: Civil War” is definitely a hit in the theatre, and is a five-star movie. This action-packed movie fulfills all the wishes of a superhero comic book fan and is viewer friendly to people of all ages. Comedic scenes are scattered throughout the film, which balances out all of the tension with a lighthearted touch.
