Captain America: Civil War (May 6, 2016)

[Khev]

Yes, please!

Too skinny for me

It'll never happen as long as ScarJo is still in the films.

They kind of gave Black Widow a lot of Diamondback's moments anyway. Female partner with a shady past who isn't afraid to get her hands dirtier than Cap. Later gets beat up by Crossbones before Cap takes him out. In the comics that was all Diamondback.

 

[Bo Shrek]

I liked this movie but this could have easily be called Avengers 3 or Iron Man 4. Really a toss up from the three. Look at your blu Ray wording. Take 20 steps back and what do you read....CIVAL WAR.

 

[kryptonianmutie]

After watching this again at home (third time overall) I can honestly say that I think Civil War is the best superhero film ever made. Obvious disclaimer being that I'm saying that as a Captain America and all around action movie fan. If you're someone who prefers The Godfather or even Heat to Raiders of the Lost Ark then I would imagine you'd still favor something from the Nolan trilogy over CW.

That being said I can't think of a single thing the Russos did wrong beyond a token nitpick here or there. It's just brilliant from beginning to end IMO. One reason that I put CW above TWS is that as great as TWS was it was all very claustrophobic and for the most part out of the public eye. The hijacked ship and elevator fight were done in secret as was the bunker bombing and even his duel with the Quinjet was on a deserted bridge. Of course the helicarrier explosions were for all to see but no one on the street would know that Captain America was involved. Now that was all great in the context of TWS' story but I do like heroes having to deal with more of the world than just their supporting characters and enemies.

Right from the get go in CW Cap's running through crowded streets and battling foes surrounded by throngs of people. I love that. The world of Civil War felt big. The opening in Nigeria and Bucky/Black Panther chase put the heroes front and center on the world stage. Even little moments like the bald black woman escorting T'Challa telling Black Widow point blank "move or you will be moved" in such a way that you believe that this nameless character really meant it! Lots of moments like that that gave the impression that the characters were a part of the world, impacting the world, but also not the only badasses IN the world.

I think it was genius on the part of the Russos to have almost every team member on both sides opposing someone they were close to on the other side. And then also great was to have two people who disliked each other (Bucky and Sam) fighting together. Great dynamics all around.

Enough can't be said about the surprise that the two sides would NOT be joining to fight a common enemy, even though there actually was one. And as great as Vision and Ultron's final scene was in AoU I actually prefer T'Challa's last moments with Zemo.

Cool. I've watched it twice since I bought the digital version but unfortunately both times were interrupted by my little muties. The Russos did a fantastic job with CW. It's not just an action movie, or a superhero movie, but there's real drama there too. While I do prefer Dark Knight over CW I'm a huge fan of Raiders, so your theory is busted.

As whole I don't enjoy CW as much as I do Iron Man or The Avengers. There's a special feeling I get inside watching those movies that CW doesn't give me. That doesn't mean I don't love it, just not to the same extent as IM and Avengers 1.

I really like the fact that these characters actually have conversations in the movie. The scenes where no one is fighting were handled with just as much care as the big action sequences. It's not something most people would notice, but having Rhodey and Sam arguing about the accords was a great touch, not just because they're the sidekicks, but because they're both military and one is still an active duty officer. Plus having them argue first lets the audience know they made up their minds without loyalty to their friends entering into the equation.

 

[Khev]

Cool. I've watched it twice since I bought the digital version but unfortunately both times were interrupted by my little muties. The Russos did a fantastic job with CW. It's not just an action movie, or a superhero movie, but there's real drama there too. While I do prefer Dark Knight over CW I'm a huge fan of Raiders, so your theory is busted.

Totally.

As whole I don't enjoy CW as much as I do Iron Man or The Avengers. There's a special feeling I get inside watching those movies that CW doesn't give me. That doesn't mean I don't love it, just not to the same extent as IM and Avengers 1.

Is part of it that you just like Iron Man (the character) more than Cap?

I really like the fact that these characters actually have conversations in the movie. The scenes where no one is fighting were handled with just as much care as the big action sequences. It's not something most people would notice, but having Rhodey and Sam arguing about the accords was a great touch, not just because they're the sidekicks, but because they're both military and one is still an active duty officer. Plus having them argue first lets the audience know they made up their minds without loyalty to their friends entering into the equation.

Agreed 100%. I decided my AoU posts (and pretty much everything I say here) were too long winded and figured I'd spare people a 100 page commentary on CW but since you brought it up )) I must say I noticed that as well. It really hit me when I was watching the deleted scenes and they played that 15 minute (or however long) version of Peggy's funeral and then Steve and Sharon's lunch afterward and I thought "wow, I don't care that this is just people talking, I could watch a whole movie about these people simply interacting." At that point I knew that the film just worked on all levels.

The Russos did such a great job picking the teams. It wasn't just "cool, so and so vs. so and so!" I actually found it to be a bit painful seeing Widow and Cap on opposing sides after what they had been through and was happy to see that they kept their bond in spite of that.

 

[LexiKon318]

.

I really like the fact that these characters actually have conversations in the movie. The scenes where no one is fighting were handled with just as much care as the big action sequences. It's not something most people would notice, but having Rhodey and Sam arguing about the accords was a great touch, not just because they're the sidekicks, but because they're both military and one is still an active duty officer. Plus having them argue first lets the audience know they made up their minds without loyalty to their friends entering into the equation.

Great point about Sam and Rhodey. Makes me think back to Winter Soldier when the former was talking to Steve about his life after the armed forces and said something like, "The number of people giving me orders is down to zero."


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[Dr.Mirakle32]

I like how in the iconic charging shot, Team Cap is all the actors, suited up, on the lot that day. Team Iron Man is literally Scarlett Johansson and a bunch of cartoon characters.

 

[Khev]

Nice.

I'll be watching the trilogy this weekend.

You know to this day I've never done a trilogy marathon in one day. Not with SW OT, nor LOTR, nor Cap. What's interesting is that each trilogy has a different entry in the series as it's "best." In LOTR the first one is best, SW the second one is best, and with Cap the third is best.

So this will be my new marathon: FOTR -> ESB -> CW

 

[kryptonianmutie]

Is part of it that you just like Iron Man (the character) more than Cap?

I don't think so. I do know I much prefer the musical scores over CW, and when it comes to superhero films that is a big deal to me.

Agreed 100%. I decided my AoU posts (and pretty much everything I say here) were too long winded and figured I'd spare people a 100 page commentary on CW but since you brought it up )) I must say I noticed that as well. It really hit me when I was watching the deleted scenes and they played that 15 minute (or however long) version of Peggy's funeral and then Steve and Sharon's lunch afterward and I thought "wow, I don't care that this is just people talking, I could watch a whole movie about these people simply interacting." At that point I knew that the film just worked on all levels.

The Russos did such a great job picking the teams. It wasn't just "cool, so and so vs. so and so!" I actually found it to be a bit painful seeing Widow and Cap on opposing sides after what they had been through and was happy to see that they kept their bond in spite of that.

I wish they had kept that scene the way it was originally. It's great, and works better IMO. When Nat shows up and tells Steve how she had tried find her parents it makes more sense that Steve asked "who signed" the way that he did, like he knew Nat was trying to soften the blow with her story. Also the extended dialogue with Agent 13 helps add to the chemistry and makes the kiss more organic.

Great point about Sam and Rhodey. Makes me think back to Winter Soldier when the former was taking to Steve about his life after the armed forces and said something like, "The number of people giving me orders is down to zero."


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Man, great observation. I'd forgotten Sam said that in WS. Yeah he definitely strikes me as a character who had his fill of taking orders with no questions asked.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

You know to this day I've never done a trilogy marathon in one day. Not with SW OT, nor LOTR, nor Cap. What's interesting is that each trilogy has a different entry in the series as it's "best." In LOTR the first one is best, SW the second one is best, and with Cap the third is best.

So this will be my new marathon: FOTR -> ESB -> CW

I've only done Rambo and James Bond marathons. Those are easy to watch

 

[Khev]

I don't think so. I do know I much prefer the musical scores over CW, and when it comes to superhero films that is a big deal to me.

I liked CW's score but yes I agree, this music is huge in films like these. If you don't like it it's definitely a huge strike.

I wish they had kept that scene the way it was originally. It's great, and works better IMO. When Nat shows up and tells Steve how she had tried find her parents it makes more sense that Steve asked "who signed" the way that he did, like he knew Nat was trying to soften the blow with her story. Also the extended dialogue with Agent 13 helps add to the chemistry and makes the kiss more organic.

Agreed. In fact I even chuckled in the theater when Cap made a move on Sharon since it was kind of like "oh you're related to Peggy well then let's make out!" I mean they obviously had chemistry but it was like Cap went into hyper "sailor getting back from a long voyage mode" (not that I blame him cause, well Emily Van Camp...)

 

[Ropen]

Ever since digital HD came out earlier this month, I must have watched this every other day, but now, I got the 3D bluray and Love it even more. I know some people don't like it, but I just tweak it bad ass to make it work and avoid ghosting of the video which this movie showed a bit of them in some scenes, I know it was converted but the digital 3d is just amazing as usual thanks to Disney.

 

[Victοr]

Yeah. I have a good amount of favorite characters and storylines I'd like to see in live-action but after the suffering through the old TV movies and Matt Salinger straight to video flick I'm just beyond blown away by what we now have. But still, Blake Lively Diamondback anyone?

Yeah, no kidding. It's a huge step up from those years, but there are still stuff I want to see. Nuke, Walker, maybe Burnside as well. Heck, Iron Man hasn't even scratched the surface of the character's potential. It's just that even 8 years later and there are still things that haven't graced the big screen.

Oh, and... Diamondback x Constrictor 4 Eva!

While it wouldn't have matched the comics part of me sees the appeal of an eventual shield transfer from Cap to Buck in the MCU.

I'm calling it right now, Cap death in the MCU will be the biggest emotional punch to the gut with Stark being a close second just because he was the start of it all.

It just pisses me off how all of these "purists" are mad because of it. It was a story that happened in Brubaker's run, it had little to nothing to do with the ramifications of Civil War itself. And it really rustles my jimmies when a couple of no-good arseholes who know of that instance only from the scans, start preaching about how it ruins the film.

But yeah, Cap finally biting it will be a gut punch I think. I'm just curious as to where the next movies will go. Truth be told, I kinda wish we could go back to the non-shared universes for a bit. Just make good movies, each one of them in their own little world. I'd rather get, say, 6 Cap movies than 3 Cap/ 3 Avengers ones. Maybe make 2 of them WWII themed to really showcase the character's roots.

As long as you're ready for a new actor to play the part.

I'd also welcome a change in the skull's design. The one from TFA was good enough, but it was a bit too..."clean" for my tastes.

 

[jye4ever]

You know to this day I've never done a trilogy marathon in one day. Not with SW OT, nor LOTR, nor Cap. What's interesting is that each trilogy has a different entry in the series as it's "best." In LOTR the first one is best, SW the second one is best, and with Cap the third is best.

So this will be my new marathon: FOTR -> ESB -> CW

Man do you come up with some good stuff.

 

[kryptonianmutie]

I liked CW's score but yes I agree, this music is huge in films like these. If you don't like it it's definitely a huge strike.



Agreed. In fact I even chuckled in the theater when Cap made a move on Sharon since it was kind of like "oh you're related to Peggy well then let's make out!" I mean they obviously had chemistry but it was like Cap went into hyper "sailor getting back from a long voyage mode" (not that I blame him cause, well Emily Van Camp...)

I forgot to ask if you still see Cavill in the face of that elite death squad Hydra soldier when he's frozen. I know I do.

 

[Khev]

Yeah, no kidding. It's a huge step up from those years, but there are still stuff I want to see. Nuke, Walker, maybe Burnside as well. Heck, Iron Man hasn't even scratched the surface of the character's potential. It's just that even 8 years later and there are still things that haven't graced the big screen.

Walker would be my number one choice of course. And if they weren't jumping right into Infinity War now would have been the perfect time to bring him in. Cap gives up his shield, goes AWOL in Wakanda, Secretary Ross picks a temperamental replacement that he thinks he can control and everything goes to hell. Sigh...

I am a little bummed that Crossbones is gone for good but I know there are only so many villain arcs they can include in these "Phases," especially with a number of the main actors assumedly coming to the end of their tenures. As it stands Crossbones is the only Mark Gruenwald character to ever make it to the big screen. It would have been neat if the the vial he stole in the opening of CW was called the "Bloodstone virus" or something just for fun.

It just pisses me off how all of these "purists" are mad because of it. It was a story that happened in Brubaker's run, it had little to nothing to do with the ramifications of Civil War itself. And it really rustles my jimmies when a couple of no-good arseholes who know of that instance only from the scans, start preaching about how it ruins the film.

At the end of the day Marvel Studios/Russo Bros took a crappy comic and made it into a great film. I'm sure if they made an awesome Cap Wolf movie there'd be young folks complaining that it didn't end with him announcing his allegiance to HYDRA. Since, you know, bad comic stories are supposed to be combined in order to be "done right."

But yeah, Cap finally biting it will be a gut punch I think.

Especially if it was a Kirk/Spock Wrath of Khan moment between him and Tony when he finally goes. I'm gettin' misty thinking about it now. MAN would he be missed by so many other characters though (unlike a certain other recently expired hero.) Bucky, Sam, Widow, Sharon, all the people who attend his Smithsonian exhibit every year, etc.

The only thing that might hinder the impact would be if audiences were "deathed out" by all the fake deaths we've already seen in the MCU (and soon DCEU) plus Han Solo, etc.

I'm just curious as to where the next movies will go. Truth be told, I kinda wish we could go back to the non-shared universes for a bit. Just make good movies, each one of them in their own little world. I'd rather get, say, 6 Cap movies than 3 Cap/ 3 Avengers ones. Maybe make 2 of them WWII themed to really showcase the character's roots.

I actually think that would be a great idea post-Infinity War. I think it'd be great if after the 2012-2018 "Avengers era" that once Thanos is put down they go a good 5-8 years of solo films with maybe one extra character here and there like Widow in TWS. Then they can go back to some big crossover event after characters have gotten their own individual trilogies or what have you.

I forgot to ask if you still see Cavill in the face of that elite death squad Hydra soldier when he's frozen. I know I do.

I never made that particular observation but I remember people talking about it when the film was released.

 

[ZaCHw117]

Watched this last night on blu! Only my second time seeing it so far, but it's so great. the acting, the story, the characters etc. It makes me wish the Russo's would have directed the first cap, instead we got a cheese-filled 2 and a half hour mess.

The visuals, while good did seem to irk me at parts though. Especially the CGI. Your gonna take Downey's performance from the armpits down but CGI the rest of his suit? and CGI it badly? why? why not just have him in a half-suit for what the shot requires? seems lazy to me, even if they're on a green screen set. I can't see the visuals of this flick holding up for too long. The First Avengers had better CGI.

The airport fight was awesome but loses points because of that horrible CGI, but that last fight between Bucky, Cap and Tony is fantastic.

Solid 8/10.

 

[Khev]

I'm glad that in my old age my eyes aren't good enough to see any "horrible CGI." There were some noticable digital characters (like when Cap gets blasted out of the building after being hit by Crossbones' cannon) but nothing that took me out of any moment on account of being "bad."

One of the best visuals in the entire film (aside from young RDJ of course) was Steve holding Bucky's helicopter. That was just amazing. Every second of that sequence and from every angle really looked like Chris Evans himself was grabbing a rail with one hand and a full-sized in-flight helicopter skid with the other. The only thing that tells me it wasn't real is the fact that there's no way in hell they'd let the actor playing their title character do that.

Watching the featurettes on the disc I was surprised to see moments that I thought were CG but weren't. Like BP's double 360 round house kicks he'd do before landing. That was all wire work that they just sped up. Also the spinning SUV out of the tunnel really was in frame behind the stuntman playing Cap as he sprinted away from it. Cool stuff.

I had no idea that the entire airport was green screen against an outdoor set. I assumed they were on location and just added digital vehicles for them to destroy. So that was pretty impressive set extending CGI.

 

[ZaCHw117]

I'm glad that in my old age my eyes aren't good enough to see any "horrible CGI." There were some noticable digital characters (like when Cap gets blasted out of the building after being hit by Crossbones cannon) but nothing that took me out of any moment on account of being "bad."

One of the best visuals in the entire film (aside from young RDJ of course) was Steve holding Bucky's helicopter. That was just amazing. Every second of that sequence and from every angle really looked like Chris Evans himself was grabbing a rail with one hand and a full-sized in-flight helicopter skid with the other. The only thing that tells me it wasn't real is the fact that there's no way in hell they'd let the actor playing their title character do that.

I am jealous that you can't. I just don't like how they've changed Iron Man's esthetic. In IM1, 2 and in the Avengers Downey mostly wore part of the suit. But in this and AoU he's just covered in CGI dots and created in post. You don't get that "man in the suit" vibe like we used to.

as for the Helicopter scene, that was Evans and it was on set, but 90% of that shot was actually shot, not CGI.

“He’s hanging onto that helicopter for an extremely passionate reason. In stories you’ll read where a mother will lift a car off a child. There’s something very important happening in that scene and for us it really represented his struggle as a character, one man pitted against a helicopter that’s trying to take off. Can he stop it? And what are the limits of his strength? For us, it’s one of the most powerful shots in the movie and it’s Chris Evans, who works very hard to physically exemplify this character. On set, we had him straining against a crane holding this helicopter, and you have this fantastic shot of his muscles bulging and you can feel the pain and the energy and the determination as he tries to stop this thing.”

 

[Khev]

as for the Helicopter scene, that was Evans and it was on set, but 90% of that shot was actually shot, not CGI.

Okay it sounds a bit like the Harrier in True Lies then. I'm guessing that the chopper was hanging from the crane with digital propellers then. Fantastic illusion and that's awesome to know that it was really Evans the whole time.

 

[ZaCHw117]

Okay it sounds a bit like the Harrier in True Lies then. I'm guessing that the chopper was hanging from the crane with digital propellers then. Fantastic illusion.

Yeah, that scene is a good example of good CGI.

the stare-down scene, where they're all lined up on different sides- is a good example of bad CGI.