Went see Captain America: Civil War again tonight, and was able to analyze it more properly this time around as a film, and it's still freaking fantastic. There's just so much that movie did right. It really does know how to balance so many characters and give them enough time to shine for some great character moments and development. That final act still gives me some feels because it's like an emotional horror story.
It overall makes me hate Batman V Superman even more because when you compare them it amplifies the problems with that film even more. They can't help but be compared at the end of the day, and Civil War just mops the floor with that movie. The motivations and dynamics between the characters actually carry emotional and impactful weight. Their reasons for being at odds are actually more compelling and understandable, and the fallout of this conflict is evident and note worthy. It actually breaks the typical mold of previous Marvel movies and offers a plot that is definitely more of substance than Marvel's usual fair. The Captain America movies seem the have this particular strength especially.
The Russo Brothers have clearly shown once again they can deliver a thought provoking superhero movie and really put a stronger light on the biggest strengths of the MCU, the characters. The audience I notice is definitely feeling it a lot more and I have to mention that as well. When I saw Batman v Superman, I saw it with a big crowd and literally NO ONE seemed invested in it. There was just this drab feeling in the air. No one chuckled at its very small attempts at humor, and no one walked away from the film clapping or anything.
Civil War on the other hand really drew in people and their was reactions all throughout. The well placed humor got chuckles, the spectacle drew excitement, and the emotional scenes even brought about gasp. I heard people in the theater literally go "holy crap" when **** really hit the fan. I think that speaks a lot about the quality of this film as well.
These people have been following and loving these characters for years now, and seeing them being torn apart actually connects with the audience. Unlike Batman v Superman which throws SO MUCH at you all at once and just tries to force you to care.
*claps* That's good storytelling. Now overall, while the film still has flaws, like as much as I love Spider-Man in it, he doesn't add all that much to the plot. But his purpose is still served and he's actually incorporated in to the plot well. It still makes sense and opens new doors for the MCU. Unlike Wonder Woman's guest appearance in BvS that literally serves no purpose whatsoever. She has no reason to be in that film other than to quickly build up DC's universe with more characters.
Civil War was definitely one of Marvel's strongest films and raised the bar once again for superhero films. It's quickly becoming one of my favorite superhero movies ever.
