Better than “Iron Man”?
Better than the first two “Captain America” movies?
The third "Captain America" feature doesn’t open in the United States (and Slovakia and Turkey) till May 6 but most of the rest of the world gets it this month -- and the critics are already chiming in. So far “Captain America: Civil War,” scripted by the same guys who wrote the superb “Captain America: First Avenger” and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," sounds like a motherfucker:
... a decisively superior hero-vs.-hero extravaganza that also ranks as the most mature and substantive picture to have yet emerged from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Very much an “Avengers” movie in scope and ambition if not title (the conspicuous absence of Thor and Hulk notwithstanding), this chronicle of an epic clash between two equally noble factions, led by Captain America and Iron Man, proves as remarkable for its dramatic coherence and thematic unity as for its dizzyingly inventive action sequences; viewers who have grown weary of seeing cities blow up ad nauseam will scarcely believe their luck at the relative restraint and ingenuity on display. …
... Posing serious questions about violence and vigilantism while reveling in both, Captain America: Civil War is overlong but surprisingly light on its feet. It builds upon the plotlines of previous Avengers outings, bringing together known marquee quantities and introducing the Black Panther and a new Spidey in winning fashion. … The movie’s center does hold, though, in the well-played contrast between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark. Rogers’ anachronistic aspects are no longer the source of punchlines, and Evans persuasively conveys his decency without overstating the matter.
... a deep exploration of friendship and family and what sacrifices should be made to hold onto both. And while it’s not the greatest Marvel effort — that honor goes to the previous Captain America: The Winter Soldier — Civil War does pull outstanding performances from its two franchise faces, Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. …
… Finally, a big budget superhero sequel that manages to be both effortlessly entertaining and utterly sobering, instead of just one of those things—or, as we’ve endured too frequently in the past, neither of them. … every studio in the superhero game benefits from how well Civil War staves off the spandex fatigue …
... Captain America: Civil War is a classic case of having your cake and eating it too. There is lots to love and much to appreciate in its thoughtful and deeply personal narrative. At its best, it acts as a repudiation of the MCU playbook. Oh sure, it is as much a table-setter as a stand-alone movie, and there are moments of unabashed fanservice that don’t really serve the film, but it takes its story to its natural endpoint with minimal compromise. If that sounds like a spoiler, it’s not. Because if anything this film relishes the opportunity to rub our noses in our own preordained expectations. …
... the best Marvel Studios movie yet. …
... A gargantuan entertainment that finds room for a little emotional resonance underneath the sterling spectacle, Captain America: Civil War confidently juggles several Marvel superheroes, introduces a few more and even reintroduces an old favourite for a well-paced, thoroughly satisfying, completely overstuffed action-thriller. …
