Captain America: Civil War

Four years ago the Avengers (“Marvel’s The Avengers”-2012) saved Earth from an alien invasion, and the world was grateful. However, after the hostile takeover of S.H.I.E.L.D. by Hydra (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”—2014), the devastation of an entire city (“The Avengers: Age of Ultron”-2015) and now an attack by terrorists, foiled by The Avengers, though not without even more civilian casualties, the world’s nations demand that The Avengers now act under their control. This immediately divides our heroes into two camps, with Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) uncharacteristically on the side of governmental control and Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) ever the voice for liberty.

When Bucky Barnes a.k.a the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) is shown fleeing the scene of a major bombing, which kills both dignitaries and civilians alike, he becomes the focus of a worldwide manhunt, and Captain America must decide whether or not to stand by his former best friend or bring the erstwhile assassin to justice himself.

Many of The Avengers are back, along with relative newcomer Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) and the introduction of the new Spider-Man played with youthful enthusiasm by Tom Holland. “Civil War” also introduces the noble, but fierce, Prince T'Challa a.k.a. The Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) who, although he sees the political agenda of the United Nations as nothing more than a power grab, has his own very personal reasons for making the Winter Soldier pay for his crimes.

Meanwhile, a shadowy figure named Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) has been orchestrating these events from the very beginning. He will not stop until The Avengers are destroyed, and, if our heroes, now turned enemies, fall, will the world be far behind them?

“Captain America: Civil War” is every bit the action-packed sequel that fans of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” have been waiting for, and it tells perhaps the most personal and compelling story of any Marvel film yet produced, however it is not without it’s cautionary material.

Objectionable Content

Violence: Heavy. Guns are used heavily throughout the movie, and people are seen falling to gunfire, explosions, fire, crushed underneath vehicles and debris or recipients of savage, up close combat style fighting. While not graphic or bloody, the imagery is unmistakably that of terrorist level mass killings. There is a scene of torture, during which a man is seen drowning, two attempts of suicide (one thwarted), test subjects are shown undergoing excruciating pain while subjected to body-altering drugs, and, finally, some victims are shown with bullets to the head after the fact (post-mortem). The violence is at teen through adult levels, and this is by no means suitable for younger, impressionable minds.

Language: Moderate. Foul language included; Sh** (5x), ass (6), ass-h*** (1), son-of-a-b**** (2), p*ssed (1), cr*p (1), hell (2) and 10 instances of the Lord’s name taken in vain (God 6, God-d*** 2, Jesus 1, OMG 1).

Sex/Nudity: Minor. Only one scene of kissing was shown, and this takes place in public and not prolonged. Provocative clothing is worn, primarily by two characters, and this is in the form-fitting costume of the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Wanda/Scarlet Witch’s (Elizabeth Olsen) short skirt that is similar to what other young adults her age may wear.

Lessons

Several positive themes are presented, including those of friendship, humility, mercy, righteousness and forgiveness.

Friendship: An integral dynamic in this film is the genuine affinity our heroes have for each other, not only during conflicts, but during those quiet moments when one can use a friend the most. “Civil War” successfully engages the audience as teammates find themselves suddenly pitted against each other with each side believing strongly in their “cause.” As leader of the underdog team, Captain America chooses to stand by his friend Bucky and the others in his camp, knowing there will be a price to pay. Conversely, Falcon/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), while openly concerned about their chances against such odds, sticks with the Captain. The Bible speaks highly of this virtue.

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

Humility: Iron Man/Stark and Captain America/Rogers, despite both being champions for justice, are quite different from one another, perhaps in no greater way than this. Roger’s humble and compassionate heart is what allows him to immediately feel personal sorrow for casualties, whereas the faces of the slain need to be held up [literally] to Stark’s face before he acknowledges them. However, to Stark’s credit, once he sees the victims of their battles, in particular the face of one young boy, he is deeply affected and visibly moved.

Confronted with the Amazing Spider-Man for the first time, Captain America is impressed and even admits to the young hero that he has a lot of heart. The humble heart cannot be restrained and, by the Holy Spirit’s urging, will always lift others up.

“[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each other esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

Mercy: The Black Panther has an opportunity to exact vengeance, but decides instead to let justice be taken out of his hands. This is precisely what our God wishes we would consider when dealing with our enemies.

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

Likewise, Captain America, in the midst of a battle where he is shown no mercy, gains the upper hand and can easily vanquish his opponent, but, instead, holds back, showing his heart through it all.

“This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.” (Zechariah 7:9)

Righteousness: Rogers explains that when he sees a situation go south [wrong] he has no choice but to act, and tells Stark he wishes it wasn’t that way. Stark knows that last part is not true, because Cap relishes doing what is right. Our Lord Jesus mentions a tangible reward for those of us that seek to be righteous in His eyes.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Forgiveness: Bucky/The Winter soldier has committed numerous atrocities over the decades as a brainwashed assassin, and he now carries that guilt and shame with him always. At one point, he is scornfully asked if he even remembers one of his victims, and he agonizingly confesses, “I remember all of them.” The regret he feels is palpable, and he does not believe he is worth the trouble. Cap reassures him he is, when he points out that he’s just not that man anymore.

How great a God we have, in that forgiveness is available to us all and that God can make us new again.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12)

Comic book aficionados will appreciate that some of the best parts of the “Civil War” storyline made it’s way to the film, albeit with some noticeable changes. Former S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) finally comes into her own just in time to aid Steve, and the incorporation of the new Spider-Man added some welcome light-hearted elements to an otherwise tense, though hugely epic confrontation.

“Captain America: Civil War” has raised the bar for super hero films, not only with its near seamlessly choreographed action sequences, including a tunnel chase that has to be seen to be believed, but primarily by the heart of its main character, his unshakable commitment to speak the truth and fight for what’s right. Or as the comic book Cap put it (quoting Mark Twain), “When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree besides the river of truth, and tell the whole world—No, you move.” The audience can’t help but cheer him on, even if they, like our heroes, may be divided on who is really right. Highly recommended.

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Minor

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