“Captain America: Civil War,” had its all-media packed screening tonight at the Arclight in Hollywood. I have never been a huge fan of superhero flicks, but I was pleasantly proven wrong. The film is actually quite funny (tons of inside jokes for the comic book devotees) charming and heartfelt in many places. The other places, well, mega destruction and over-the-top action rules.
Are there tons of characters and subplots? “Game of Thrones” is easier to follow. Captain America leads the newly formed team of Avengers to continue to safeguard the world. But because of the collateral damage the team has caused, problems ensue. The new reality splits this tight knit team ergo the “Civil War.”
And even though it’s called “Captain America,” this is really another “Iron Man” movie/”Avengers” film in Marvel clothing. It also introduces the new “Spider Man” just enough to make us want an actual “Spider Man” movie after five installments in this generation.
But the directors Anthony and Joe Russo ably weave it all into an appealing, never boring movie escapism experience. The cast is terrific, helped by a quippy script written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.
Led by the always reliable and likable Robert Downey Jr, as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Scarlett Johannson as Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Paul Rudd as Antman, Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier, Paul Bettany as Vision, Don Cheadle as War Machine, Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, the substantially talented ensemble all do their characters proud.
Standing out of the crowd is the luminous Elizabeth Olsen as the Scarlet Witch, as well as the new Spider Man, the off the charts adorable and funny Tom Holland. The filmmakers also cast the smaller roles wisely, including William Hurt, Martin Freeman, John Slattery, Hope Davis, Marisa Tomei and a menacing Daniel Bruhl.
At a running time of 2 hrs. and 26 minutes, I wasn’t bored a second. Yes, Stan Lee makes his requisite appearance, and stick around till after the credits for a clever “Spider Man” peak into the future preview. So do go see it. Marvel movies are way too charming and popcorn fun to resist.
