2016 Summer Movie Season - Captian America Civil War: Review & Analysis

To The End Of The Line!!! Marvel's Ambitious Free-For-All Offers Unforgettable Thrills, Epic Moments, and Hype Worthy Glimpses of What's To Come!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

United We Stand. Divided We Fall.

Story Description

Ever since the battle of New York, the Avengers have done their hardest to maintain the safety of the people on earth. Despite their efforts, collateral damage and continued lack of authoritative regulations have caused mass political strain and unrest especially since the colossal event in Sokovia. Looking to prevent an incident like that from occurring again,  the government issues a restrictive accords in an attempt to work with the Avengers directly and have them report to a high power rather than working independently. Unfortunately, after another devastating event leaves innocent lives at risk, Steve Rodgers (Chris Evans) finds himself in a difficult situation after the rumored culprit is said to be former HYDRA assassin and Rodger's childhood friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). With tensions rising and loyalties tested, Rodgers, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr), & the Avengers find themselves choosing sides and turning against each other in a confrontation that will change them all and shake the foundation of the world they know.

Tony Stark and Steve Rodgers try to talk out their issues at HQ.

Critical and Financial Analysis

Since it's announcement at the Marvel Phase 3 press conference, Captain America Civil War has garnered significant hype and skepticism. Given this is an on screen adaptation of one of the most beloved and shocking comics in Marvel history, expectations were high with people wondering if it could really be pulled off. From a critical standpoint however, it satisfied critics and audiences alike. The film garnered an overwhelming positive 91% certified fresh rating on rotten tomatoes with an equally strong audience rating of 92%. Critics praised it for its terrific action, strong and established plot, and it's bold move to travel to more thought provoking themes. Financially, the film did equally solid. The film accumulated a strong $182 million at the domestic box office with an additional $401.8 million overseas for a worldwide total of $678.4 million. With widespread critical and audiences acclaim and over half a billion dollars in worldwide box office numbers, Captain America Civil War continues the summer movie dominance of Marvel Studios and gets the Summer Movie Season off to a roaring start.

Friends Turned Enemies.
Enemies Turned Friends. 

Film Review

Since it's announcement, Captain America Civil War has been one of my most anticipated films of 2016 and Marvel Phase 3. Introducing new characters (including some personal favorites), returning favorites, and emulating the most ambitious plot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe history is something that got me excited as well as anxious to see how it would all come together. I can finally say after seeing the film in IMAX, I can confirm that the folks at Marvel Studious have outdone themselves with this one. Directors Anthony and Joe Russo take the magic and genius they brought in The Winter Soldier and bring it to this film with care and relative ease. For starters, the film is no question one of the darkest films in the MCU. Everything from the tone and the extremely well structured plot reflect this fact. That said, the film has a fair share of humor and fun moments to keep things light as well as engaging. Character wise, it was a tall order to begin with but the Russo Brothers handle it very well. Downey Jr, Evans, Mackie, Johansson, and Renner are the polished veterans of the bunch and do a great job as always in their roles. The relatively new cast members such as Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettney, and Paul Rudd return with new found depth for each. For Olsen as Wanda, it is refreshing to see her grow as a character who is still coming to terms with who she is. Her story arc in this one is trying and at times tragic which makes her a character to keep a close eye on as Phase 3 progresses. As for Paul Rudd, he goes from surprise hit in his stand alone movie to instant classic comic relief. His sequences are among the best and he delivers the film's most memorable comedic lines that are hilariously well placed. But the big heavy hitters besides Captain America and Tony Stark were the rookie characters making their anticipated MCU debuts and they don't disappoint. One of them was King T'Challa aka Black Panther. Chadwick Boseman exceeds expectations delivering an intense, strong willed, and well structured character. Besides being a bonifide badass, Boseman plays the role with extreme pride and charisma. It is a true showcase of the talented actor he is and I am beyond ecstatic for his and his character's involvement in the MCU. As for the other new comer who goes by the name spider man, Tom Holland delivers a Peter Parker that is essentially the embodiment of what we see on screen...a kid. Skilled in combat, technologically savvy, but no different from every nerdy and thrill obsessive millennial his age, Holland does a solid job in delivering a new type of Spider-Man that has not been done in the previous installments. Only time and the 2017 standalone movie will determine if this Peter Parker/Spider-Man is the one fans want and deserve. From an action standpoint, Civil War is The Winter Soldier turned up to eleven. The breathtaking fight choreography returns and is an absolute blast to watch. A thrill from start to finish, each action sequence is more fast paced and explosive than the last with the obvious standout being the epic airport sequence with everyone gathered together. With the action also comes the challenge of balancing a very large and loaded list of cast members and characters. The Russo Brothers do an admirable job balancing these characters giving each one just enough spotlight to shine while still keeping the focus on the main players to the plot. Speaking of which, the plot of the film is a well structured and deeply detailed work that has moments of dark undertones, disturbing and heartbreaking revelations, and themes that can mirror the world as we know it now. This is one of the best scripts and well layered plots I've seen in a Marvel movie yet and hope this continues throughout Phase 3. Overall, Captain America Civil War is an experience that hasn't left me this blown away since Winter Soldier. The future of the studio looks bright as ever as Marvel's maturity and boldness grow along with their ambition and willingness to try new things.

Rating and Final Thoughts 

One of the most ambitious films in Marvel's library culminates 

into an unforgettably thrilling and structurally solid cinematic

 treat with as much depth and deeply layered substance as it 

has amazing thrills and mind blowing moments

With Civil War Getting Phase 3 off to a phenomenal start, the anticipation as well as the expectations of the next films in the loaded line-up skyrocket as Marvel Studios begins to head toward legendary status. 

2016 Summer Movie Season: Pre Release Special For Civil War

Good Evening Followers. For the past few years, the world is slowly being exposed to the existence of powered individuals. However, the most notable are the emergence of the team known as the Avengers. Led by World War 2 veteran Captain Steve Rodgers and billionaire Tony Stark, The Avengers have been responsible for the safe guarding of countless lives. Unfortunately, with those saved lives comes unavoidably obvious collateral damage. It has gotten to the point where the government feels it is time to hold "earth's mightiest heroes" accountable for their actions. We have been supplied with top secret government case files to better understand why the Avengers should or should not be governmentally regulated. Let's pick apart these cases and get a better understanding of the risk and rewards of having these "heroes" out and about. 

After the events in New Mexico and the discovery of the power artifact known as the tesseract, the city of New York was invaded by the intergalactic species known as the Chitauri. With mortal resources exhausted, the team we know as the Avengers came in and heroically halted the invasion saving the lives of millions. 

Video Footage of Avengers Coming Together for the First Time

Despite the victorious battle, mass destruction and devastation to the city left some people grateful while others, mainly political figures, questioning the methods of these so called heroes.

News Montage and Top Secret Look In Of Nick Fury With SHIELD council members 

Additionally, the mastermind behind the attack, Loki of Asgard, was said to stand trial for his crimes but was instead taken into custody by his brother and Avenger member Thor. His current whereabouts are still unknown.

Two years after New York, the world witnessed one of the most shocking government leaks since Watergate, The organization that originally monitored the Avengers' activities, SHIELD, was revealed to be under the control of the nazi terrorist organization HYDRA. Years of inner corruption and assassinations of potential whistleblowers kept the secret hidden until the plot was revealed and resulted in a violent confrontation at SHIELD HQ in Washington DC. 

Footage of Steve Rodgers Revealing The Truth to SHIELD loyalist

When the dust settled, the program known as Project INSIGHT was aborted, HYDRA leader Alexander Pierce was assassinated and HYDRA sleeper agents fled into the shadows looking to regroup. As a result, SHIELD was dismantled and the Avengers were left without an authoritative figure to report to.

After the SHIELD collapse, a more destructive event occurred near the African coast. For reasons unknown, Bruce Banner, aka Hulk, went on a terrifying and destructive rampage in the South African metropolitan area. Tony Stark stepped in to calm the beast down but the end result caused massive panic and destruction across the city.

Footage of Full Confrontation

Reports suggest that Banner is now being sought after by the African government to be held accountable for the incident but his whereabouts are currently unknown.

What is said to be the cherry on top of the Accords is the destruction of the city of Sokovia. Carried out by Ultron, the Avengers attempted to stop the AI from enacting his plan to destroy the planet. In the early stages of the battle, Ultron did the unthinkable which sent shock waves across the world.

Captured Footage of Sokovia's Elevation

Despite the chaos around them, the Avengers held firm and were able to hold off Ultron's forces. After evacuating the city, Ultron sent the city toward the surface and the end result sealed the fate of the Avengers' current public opinion and solidified the making of the accords.

Destruction of the City

Wide spread anger and destruction left citizens and political officials angry as well as eager for solutions to the problem. Thus began the construction of the current regulation for the heroes who caused such a global uproar.

With the country still shaken after the attack on Sokovia, the current situation came to a head just earlier this afternoon with an attack in Logos, Nigeria. WHIH reporters Christine Everhart and Will Adams commented on the situation in a Breaking News update.

Word has it that the government is taking action as we speak to issue the accords to the Avengers and that Gen. Thaddeus Ross is en route to the Upstate New York Avengers Facility to do so. When more information becomes available, we will let you in on it. Thank you for reading our special post on the Accords and have a great day. 

2016 Summer Movie Season - Month 1 Preview (May 2016)

War and Madness!!! Avengers, X-Men, and Angry Birds Battle It Out In SMS Opening Month!!!

By Brandon Porter

Hello Followers and welcome to our May preview. The summer movie season kicks off in just a couple of days and the excitement is building. Marvel Phase 3 kicks off, the X-Men battle their greatest enemy yet, and Alice goes to Wonderland to stop time. Let's get a rundown of our first set of summer films due out in the coming days and weeks.

Steve Rodgers, Sam Wilson, and T'Challa at Avengers HQ

Captain America Civil War (Marvel Studios, May 1st)

On One Accord

New York, DC, and Sakovia. What do they all have in common? They are all massively destructive events that resulted in countless lost lives and involved a number or all of the members of the Avengers. Looking to put earth's mightiest heroes in check, the government steps in and issues the accords looking to prevent anymore collateral damage and to also put more of a leash on the heroes. Unfortunately, the accords seem to cause more harm than good resulting in the avengers turning on each other resulting in an epic conflict that will change the team forever. The explosive first installment of Marvel Phase 3 puts Captain America and Iron Man on opposite sides where the end result will send shock waves through the MCU. Experience the ultimate conflict when friends turn to enemies in Captain America Civil War on May 6th.

Check Out The Latest Official Trailer

Sony Pictures brings the popular mobile game to the big screen.

The Angry Birds Movie (Sony Pictures, May 20th)

Ruffled Feathers

On a distance island, Red is a short tempered guy who seems to be angered by the littlest bit of nonsense he comes across. But when a group of pigs lands on the island looking to cause trouble, Red team's up with others to save their home and protect what's theirs. Jason Sedukis, Josh Gad, and Bill Hader lead an all star cast in the animated adaptation of the popular mobile game. Join the adventure of the Angry Birds when they fly into theaters on May 20th.

Check Out The Latest Official Trailer

The most powerful mutant of all rises to claim the world for his kind.

X-Men Apocalypse (20th Century Fox/Marvel Entertainment, May 27th)

Apocalypse Now

Thousands of years ago, ancient beings worshipped an individual with incredible power and strength. Historians have determined that this being is rumored to be the world first mutant. Known as Apocalypse, he returns to the world looking to bring forth a new era of peace by destroying all who stand in his way. With four powerful mutants by his side, the fate of the world depends on professor Charles Xaviar and his team of young students to save the world from the deadly fate that awaits it. Picking up after the events of Days of future Past, X-Men Apocalypse brings young versions of fan favorites and one of the most powerful villains in the comic book series to life for the first time. Only the strong will survive the wrath of God when X-men Apocalypse hits theaters this Memorial day.

Check Out The Latest Official Trailer

Alice embarks on an epic race against time in the sequel to
the 2010 fantasy adventure.

Disney's Alice Through The Looking Glass (Walt Disney Pictures, May 27th)

Glass Half Full

Years have past since Alice's last adventure and Wonderland is in deep peril. The man known as time threatens to put all of Alice's friends in danger and only she can save them from the horrible fate that awaits them. The sequel to 2010's Alice in Wonderland see Alice taking on Time to save the hatter and her friends from imminent doom. Don't be late for Alice Through The Looking Glass this Memorial Day.

Check Out The Latest Official Trailer

A loaded and fun month awaits us and I hope you're ready. Look for the reviews for these films and more these next few weeks. Later Followers.