New Marvel Universe film

Captain America: Civil War (Spoiler Alert!)

The newest instalment in the Marvel Avengers Universe brings together the anachronism that it Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, aka Cap, and the new, emotional-after what-happened-in-New-York Tony Stark as Iron Man.

In short, the world (read: the western world as represented by the United Nations), feels it is time for the Avengers to be dealt with with more oversight.

The Sokovia Accords, named after the country all but raised by the Avengers in the Age of Ultron film, seeks to do just this.

Tony Stark is for the signing of these accords, but Steve Rogers feels it would be a step in the wrong direction.

At the signing ceremony of these accords, James Buchanan Barnes, aka Bucky Barnes, aka The Winter Soldier, aka the guy with the metal arm, plants a bomb, killing the King of the Wakandans, leaving his broody son, prince T’Challa, to plot his revenge on the bomber.

It is important to remember that Wakanda has a massive natural supply of that super important fictional metal vibranium.

This bombing, apparently perpetrated by The Winter Soldier, who just happens to be Cap’s BFF, causes a rift between the already unhappy Avengers.

A new “enhanced individual” in the form of Black Panther makes his appearance, and is soon revealed to be HRH prince T’Challa (now dressed in black spandex and a cat mask), “avenging” his father.

The team splits into two factions, with Cap and Iron Man taking the lead.

Initially the fighting is awkward and stunted, with both sides clearly pulling their punches.

There is a moment when Black Widow and Hawkeye, who came out of retirement, are battling each other and pause mid-strike to confirm that they are still friends.

The teams are Iron Man, The Vision, Black Widow, War Machine and Spider Man.

Supporting Cap are Bucky Barnes (obviously), Falcon, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye and Ant Man (Who can become GIANT now!).

The teams have a stand off at an airport, Spider Man is witty and makes the other Avengers feel old with his Star Wars references, and it all seems to be a bit of a game, until The Vision, distracted by his emotions when Scarlet Witch is injured, sends a stream of energy and knocks out War Machine’s flying capabilities.

With Rhody seriously injured and Stark seeing red, Cap and Bucky escape, on their way to eliminate an alleged threat of more Winter Soldier type Hydra operatives who could be activated by a currently unknown evil.

Iron Man realises Cap might be on to something as the rest of Cap’s team is arrested, and flies north to aid his once (and future) friend.

The unknown evil turns out to be a traumatised man who wants to see an empire fall by having the Avengers destroy themselves through infighting.

He adds fuel to Tony Stark’s already blazing furnace of emotions by showing him that Bucky was the assassin who brutally murdered his parents Howard and Maria Stark.

The final battle between Cap and Iron Man is fierce, with no more civility.

It is bitter sweet and bitterly ironic that Cap finally wins the battle by jamming his shield, made from a vibranium – adamantium alloy, and given to him by Howard Stark, into the arc-reactor that keeps Tony Stark alive and powers his super-suit.

This movie begins slow, with many exposition discussions needed to explain the absence of Thor, Bruce Banner and Virginia “Pepper” Potts, but it is well written and visually exciting.

The fact that we know the characters so well having seen most of them in previous movies, makes this movie feel cohesive.

Seeing them fight feels like you are intruding on a family feud and it leaves the viewer with a number of difficult ethical questions.

The visual effects are brilliant and the Russo brothers make a phenomenal directorial team.

Though the movie is in 3D, it does not have the usual dark and messy feeling associated with the format.

This film is well worth a watch, and remember to stay until the end as there are two Easter eggs, enticing viewers with two possible sequels.