Devil Comics Review | Captain America: Civil War [2016]

Captain America: Civil War follows the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Just as Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice takes its source material from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, Captain America: Civil War brings Mark Millar’s story into the Cinematic Marvel Universe where we will see Captain America going toe-to-toe with Iron Man. The Sokovia Accords are introduced by the United Nations to hold the Avengers accountable and to act when it is necessary by a panel. In the comics a Superhero Registration Act was introduced to hold heroes responsible for their actions as well as to reveal their true identities to a government agency. 

The movie begins with Tombstone attempting to steal a biochemical weapon and while Captain America and his Avengers team stop him in Wakanda. The Scarlet Witch prevents Tombstone from killing Captain America however she accidently puts citizens in harm’s way. The Sokovia Accords are introduced to prevent incident citizens from being killed. During the signing of the Sokovia Accords, a bombing orchestrated by Baron Zemo kills the King of Wakanda and James Barnes is blamed for the incident. 

A manhunt for Barnes begins while Steve Rogers and the Black Panther track him down. Barnes, Rogers, and the Black Panther are taken into custody. During the interrogation, Zemo arrives and uses trigger words to set off the Winter Soldier. Barnes escapes however Rogers captures him and discovers there are other Winter Soldiers. Captain America assembles his team of Avengers including the Falcon, Scarlet Witch, Ant-Man, and Hawkeye. Meanwhile Tony Stark assembles his team including Black Widow, War Machine, Vision, Black Panther and Spider-Man. The two Avengers teams battle at the airport before Captain America and Barnes head out to stop the other Winter Soldiers.

Captain America and the Winter Soldier are joined by Iron Man who discovers Zemo was behind the Sokovia Accords attack. Zemo releases footage of the Winter Soldier in 1991 liking Howard and Maria Stark. Iron Man attempts to kill the Winter Soldier out of revenge and Rogers battles him to a finale.

The airport battle between the two teams is one of the many highlights of the film. The introduction of Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is another as he is prepared to star in Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017. The Russo Brothers really pulled it off by getting each character their proper due and spotlight in the film. Their success in this film proves the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War films will be well done. 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – 5 OUT OF 5