After the disappointing Batman V. Superman (BvS), we are
forced to wait and hope for the best for Marvel’s Civil War (CW). DC comics
didn’t come as what people are expecting. I already watch the original BvS
(actually it was adapted from The Dark Knight Returns comic series which was
made into a 2-part animated movie) and it was more interesting than BvS.
I first heard about CW in 2014. My friend, Arthur Jonathan,
who already read the comics, told me that Captain America would die. That was a
major spoiler of the franchise. Adapting a comic into film which isn’t filtered
with the filmmakers creativity would came the result of Snyder’s films – this
is one of DC’s mistakes. Even many of my other friends were very anxious about
the spoiler. I wasn’t really that happy too.
The Russo Brothers were pointed to direct again, before that
they have directed Winter Soldier. It was quite rare for a director (or
directors) to direct another Disney Marvel film, because Kevin Fiege (the
producer of all the MCU films) have a strict unwritten rules which he always change
a director if the film have an averange rating and/or not very commercially
successful. As I said earlier in my Ant Man’s review, Kevin Fiege is a control
freak and directors didn’t really did their full potential because of it.
CW have many bad ass trailers and teasers. I was very
excited with the superbowl one. We hear the film’s tagline being spoken –
“United we stand, devided we fall.” Our heart were devided to see them fight
each other. It was only 30 secs, but it truly got the spirit of the film.
Let’s get to the film.
The film has a very good and thrilling blockbuster quality
scene and action. For me, the film is better compared with The Avengers and The
Avengers: Age of Ultron combined. The theme of the film is very big, universal,
and very enganging – it is everywhere. I thought it was cool to see a big theme
in a blockbuster movie, I mean look at The Avengers – what theme they wanted us
to feel – it didn’t give a great answer to the conflict (not everyday you’ll
summon Vision with Thor’s hammer); they only wanted to present big action
scenes.
There were itching moments in the film that I thought were
boring and wanted the film to go straight to the airport scene. With a total of
2 hours and 27 minutes running time, 3/4 of it went to the argument and talking
with the same topic all over again. Dude!! Films are made to be watched, not to
read the subtitles.
The characters arc were very cool, especially with Iron Man’s
and the 2 new characters (Black Panther and Spider Man). I truly understand why
Iron Man wanted to sign the government, there were some scene that explain his
way of thinking. Black Panther is another important character for the big theme
I mentioned before. Spider Man is for the continuation of the franchise – what
a strange feeling to see a young Aunt May and very young Spider Man.
The Russo Brothers really made Civil War a great blockbuster
film to watch. They see the detail in every characters in the MCU; and they
choose the great ones to make great character arcs. The brothers piece together
the 2D puzzle into a 3D sculpture. No wonder they will direct next 2 Avengers.
The verdict:
A new experience of superheroes film with great theme and
believeable character arc.
