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Next up in the "Marvel-thon" is the start of Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the franchise's turning point, and that is Captain America: Civil War.
After a mission in Lagos results in civilian casualties, the Avengers receive news that the UN intends to pass the Sokovia Accords, which will allow a group of UN officials to control what they do. This fractures the team, where Tony Stark is in favor of it due to what happened with Ultron and Steve Rogers is against it because he believes they work best independently. To make matters worse, the ratification conference is bombed, and Steve's best friend Bucky Barnes (AKA The Winter Soldier*) is framed, further dividing them as to what to do with him. Cap and his group go on the run in order to find the real culprit, while Tony gets his group together to apprehend them. Neither side realizes that their division was a means to an end.
What Worked: Similar to the Ant-Man review, I will delve into the plot first, but for a different reason this time. The plot here takes the structure of the "Civil War" story, but applies aspects from The First Avenger and The Winter Soldier to it. As a result, it not only feels like a proper way to conclude a trilogy, but at the same time, it feels like a sequel to both The Winter Soldier and Age of Ultron in one. With how it's put together, that combination actually works.
Now for the cast. Chris Evans gives his best performance as Captain America, showing that he feels his burden. He does what he thinks is right, even if that means breaking the law to protect his friend. He has excellent chemistry with Sebastian Stan, who also gives his best performance as Bucky. It's a similar case with him: he shows Bucky's pain and vulnerability, wanting to be free of his past yet having no choice but to submit when it comes back to haunt him. He also has moments where he genuinely feels like Cap's friend, recalling some memories from their time.
The best performance in the movie is Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. He receives a reality check early on in the movie: the team's actions do have consequences. Cap believes continuing to operate on their own is the best way of preventing collateral damage, but Tony believes regulation is the only real option where they can. He may have been responsible for what happened, but now he feels it. His development as a character only gets darker from there in this.
The first supporting cast member to talk about is Anthony Mackie as Falcon. In addition to being very charismatic, he continues to have hilarious dialogue here, including some banter with Paul Rudd, who returns as Scott Lang / Ant-Man. Paul Rudd is actually better in this, showing that he is excited to be working with the Avengers, especially Cap. He also gets a fair amount of great lines and especially moments.
Another character who is better here is Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen. In this, something happens that affects her more than a particular event from Age of Ultron. While that was personal, she only felt it; here, she actually sees the result and feels like people are afraid of her. There is one character trying to show that she shouldn't be feared: Vision, played by Paul Bettany. They have started a relationship where he's trying to protect her, and she's trying to help him learn how to blend in. They, too, have very good chemistry.
Then there is Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow. The best way to describe her here is this: the further developed the character is, the better the performance. She's actually conflicted within herself in this one. She feels closer to Cap, but sides with Iron Man because he has the better reasoning.
Don Cheadle returns as James Rhodes / War Machine. This is the franchise's best use of the character because aside from being Tony Stark's best friend, he sides with him because he shares the same sentiment, even going so far as having dialogue that Tony would likely have. His best scene is where he shows that during a debate with some of the other characters.
There are two new characters introduced here. The first one will soon have the latest movie in the MCU, and that is Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa / Black Panther. Simply put, to say he's awesome in this is an understatement. He gets some of the best moments in the movie, and upon seeing him here, you'll want to see more and learn more about him. It won't be much longer until we get to.
The other character is someone who nobody thought would get to appear within the MCU, and that is Tom Holland as Spider-Man. This is easily the best Spider-Man period, and that's coming from someone who grew up with the Tobey Maguire version. He looks like he does in the comics to where the eyes in his mask are finally capable of moving to show his expressions. As awesome as Black Panther is, Spider-Man is the best character in the movie. Tom Holland doesn't just nail the character; he embodies him.
One more before I get to the villain (this isn't a spoiler because he is shown in the trailer): Hawkeye does show up in the movie, but pretty much not until the third act. Jeremy Renner still gives a good performance despite that, and he gets some one-liners in there.
Daniel Brühl plays Helmut Zemo, the villain of the movie. He's one of the reasons why this feels like a sequel to Age of Ultron; he has a connection to what happened in Sokovia. His plan makes him stand out as one of the best villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He's better than Loki, but I won't say he's the best since Loki because at least one of the villains in the two newest installments is right up there with him. Even though the conflict is between two heroes, it's his plan that doesn't make it go the way you think.
Now for the technical aspects. The visuals, like Black Panther and Spider-Man's suits, look excellent. Some of the other heroes have received upgrades as well, like Falcon now having a drone.
The action is the biggest positive here, particularly the fight near the end. Some of the highlights are from that scene alone. One of the reasons why the action looks as great as it does here is the fact that the duo behind John Wick (Chad Stahelski and David Leitch) helped with the stunts.
The Russo Brothers return to direct following The Winter Soldier, and they have managed to top it. As if the cast of characters here wasn't large enough, they are doing Avengers: Infinity War and its sequel next. If The Winter Soldier and this are any indication, those movies are in good hands.
What Didn't Work: This is another occasion where I have a minor nitpick. There are times throughout the movie where location names are on the screen, and they are blown up to where you're looking more at them than the location itself for the few seconds they're on. Using location names on the corners is fine, but the technique here makes it feel less like a transition in a movie and more like the start of a commercial.
Overall: Much like War for the Planet of the Apes, Captain America: Civil War is another example of the third movie in a trilogy being the best when each installment gets better. As mentioned in the reviews for The First Avenger and The Winter Soldier, not only would these movies get better, but also the villains. It held true last time, but does it continue this time? Yes.
The movie stands out as one of the best in the Marvel Cinematic Universe because it breaks convention in regards to how the conflict is resolved, and it has the best action sequence of the entire franchise. It brings in two characters that audiences have been waiting to see, and uses them to where said audiences want to see more of them. After this, it isn't long before they do.
There is a Stan Lee cameo here, as well as a mid-credits scene and a post-credits scene. Also, a supporting character from The Incredible Hulk has a significant role, as does a character last seen in The Winter Soldier.
*At this point, it's probably fine I mention that.