REVIEW: 'Captain America: Civil War' Is A Massive Epic Win - East Idaho News
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REVIEW: ‘Captain America: Civil War’ Is A Massive Epic Win

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You know that feeling you get before a first date, where your stomach feels like it’s trying to eat itself because you’re worried the date won’t live up to your expectations? That’s what I was experiencing headed into “Captain America: Civil War.”

But all the Sturm und Drang was needless because “Civil War” is just about the perfect superhero blockbuster, packed with action, laughs and heart. It’s the antidote to all the joyless tent pole movies that have been assailing audiences lately. (What? I was talking about “Huntsman: Winter’s War.”)

”Civil War” finds Captain America (Chris Evans) and his superhero cohorts in turmoil after a tragic mission on foreign soil. As a result, the United Nations and a coalition headed by Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt) try to enact a resolution giving the U.N. control of the Avengers. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), awash in a flood of guilt, thinks it’s a good idea. Cap doesn’t.

Meanwhile, Cap tries to find and protect his buddy Bucky (Sebastian Stan) after he becomes the subject of a manhunt. Cap’s actions bring him into conflict with Iron Man and his crew, who sign on for government oversight. Cap gathers his troops, Iron Man calls in Spider-Man (Tom Holland), and things get violent.

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EastIdahoNews.com film critic Adam Forsgren, left, and Ryan Atwood choose sides in “Civil War.”

There’s so much to love about “Civil War.” It’s an epic story that still has many scenes that feel personal and intimate. It captures the best parts of comics and the characters while still making them feel contemporary and real. You feel that Cap and Iron Man and the rest of the characters are real, plausible people, and because of that, you connect with them and care about what happens to them. That’s smart filmmaking.

The actors are spot on. I don’t think Downey is acting anymore. I think he really is Tony Stark/Iron Man. Evans projects so much good and decency as Cap that it’s kind of crazy to think his early career was built on a plethora of smarmy wisecrackers.

Two other performances I need to point out belong to the two newcomers, Holland and Chadwick Boseman. Holland is just about perfect as Spider-Man. His character falls in between the angelic Peter Parker played by Tobey Maguire and the arrogant jerk Parker played by Andrew Garfield. And that’s exactly where he should be. And Boseman’s Black Panther is a handsome butt-kicking machine who carries himself with grace and nobility.

There are so many little touches I loved about “Civil War.” Here are just a few:

  • Vision (Paul Bettany) wandering around the Avengers compound, wearing sweaters and awkwardly trying to act human.
  • The way dudes go flying whenever Cap kicks or punches them.
  • That Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) is the least special hero in the movie and yet manages to be one of the most important pieces of the story.
  • Best. Star Wars. Reference. Ever. EVER!
  • The fact that Thunderbolt Ross is even bigger jerk now than he was in “The Incredible Hulk.”
  • The way the filmmakers realized Redwing, Falcon’s sidekick. You’ll see what I mean.

As far as flaws, I don’t have much to complain about. There are a few plot holes that may be filled in upcoming movies, but for now, they’re kind annoying questions that sit in the back of your mind. The movie could’ve given us more of the interplay between Vision and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olson). The motivation of the bad guy pulling the strings wasn’t very original. But these are nitpicks that don’t even come close to derailing this train.

”Captain America: Civil War” is simply magnificent. A perfect fusion of heart, action, fun and high stakes, this movie is everything fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe could ever want and then some. If you have even a shred of interest in seeing “Civil War,” do it!

5 Indy Fedoras out of 5

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Thanks to Fat Cats in Rexburg for providing screenings for movie reviews on EastIdahoNews.com.

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