Review of Captain America: Civil War (2016) by Ace H — 19 Feb 2017

It's impossible not to compare Civil War to Warner Bros.' Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. They tackle similar themes-of collateral damage and the role of superheroes' legitimacy-and they both bring a smorgasbord of characters and mythology to the table. But where Civil War is colorful and fun, Batman v. Superman is dour and dark. Where Civil War showcases the able filmmaking of the Russo brothers, Batman v. Superman reminds us that Zack Snyder is a stylist who can't tell a story. And most importantly, where Civil War is rooted in character and emotion, Batman v. Superman is an excuse for spectacle. The heroes fight because that's the movie they're in, not because it makes sense. They're not characters as much as they're pieces on a $250 million board.

That's where the contrast with Civil War lies, and why Civil War is one of the best films to come out of Marvel Studios. Despite the huge ensemble cast and the expensive special effects, Captain America: Civil War is a human-sized affair. Yes, there's a villain-Daniel Brühl as Baron Zemo-but he's almost beside the point. Yes, there's a final battle, but it isn't the cataclysm of previous Marvel entries. It's just two friends, tired and angry, whose mutual hurt and betrayal have brought them to blows.One of the best Marvel have made/produced.