Film: Captain America: Civil War (2016)
What We Know So Far: Taking place after the events of The Avenger’s Age of Ultron (2015), the team comes under criticism from the damage they caused in their latest clash with an international incident, prompting governments to form a registration and governing body called the Skovia Accords (seen at the end of Ant-Man) to determine how and when the Avengers team should be called in for service. The resulting actions and differing opinions create a rift in the team that manifests into conflict.
The Trailer: Official #1
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVdV-lxRPFo?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=920&h=415]
Our Take
Dan: The trailer is filled with enough suggestive imagery to get us comic book nerds all hot and bothered. As we wipe the sweat from our brows, what we just saw sinks in. It looks like the movie will alter the famous storyline from the comics. The focus here is on the Winter Soldier, labelled a vigilante and hunted by the government. Captain America sides with him, thus placing him on opposing sides of Iron Man. The two assemble their own rosters to fight for what’s “right.” I have a few theories on what was revealed. The biggest idea deals with War Machine (check David’s Moment for some analysis). While I’m not expecting Marvel to reveal a death in a trailer, I do think they may have revealed a bit of the plot. Perhaps the government injured War Machine to blame it all on Winter Soldier in order to get their new laws passed? Maybe Tony Stark is being manipulated into taking out the only hero who would oppose the government? Either way, it looks like the story will at least be a good excuse for this superhero versus battle. Will Batman v Superman’s similar theme harm the reception of Civil War – with movie fans thinking the latter ripped off the former? With so many comic book movies hitting the screen, the Marvel vs DC fanboy fight will surely flare up. That said, it doesn’t really matter which side loses… because we win.
David: The thirteenth film in the current Marvel universe and an official sequel in the Captain America franchise, Civil War looks to take the teams fight internal with members splitting on the roles and value of the team as a whole. Putting a lot of the focus on the Winter Soldier character, Bucky Barns is an assassin with some memory issues that has a strong connection to Captain America, which leave us wondering just which side Barns is going to emerge on and how it will influence Cap.
Return of General “Thunderbolt” Ross
Ross (William Hurt), last seen in The Incredible Hulk (2008) is tasked with explaining the Skovia Accord, meant to harness and limit the unchecked powers of the superheroes (first handed to Scarlet Witch in the trailer, who perhaps has the most stake in them as her brother Quicksilver was killed in the Skovia Incident) which Tony Stark (Iron Man) sees as the right step in preventing them from being like the villains, it means getting Barns in custody but Cap is loyal to his friend, seeing Bucky as set up and needing Iron Man to believe him.
A Team Divided
Meanwhile, a new (as of yet unclear) threat arrives and the team must stick together or crumble. A host of familiar faces appear, including Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson ), Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Falcon (Anthony Mackie), plus a new hero in the roster, Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). Black Panther is not an Avenger and has no allegiance to either side, but there is brief shot of Black Panther attacking Winter Soldier. The Accords are met with opposition among the ranks and while Bucky is wanted man, Iron Man is called into bring him in, causing Cap, who has always clashed with Stark, to choose sides.
Unseen Superfriends
Squabbling has always been part of the franchise as egos clash but this time, things get serious and the heroes directly fight each other and this brings a decidedly dark tone to the trailer. While the plot is still mostly unknown, there are some hints that it is about choosing sides, pro or con on registration. Hulk will not be featured in the film, but announced, though not seen in this teaser, is the new Spider-Man (Tom Holland). Of note is a blink and you’ll miss it moment of both Martin Freeman and Emily VanCamp in what appears to be a scene where authorities are raiding and confiscating Avenger equipment. A lot of questions arise.
Civil War
In an epic moment at the end of the trailer, Iron Man faces both Winter Soldier and Captain America. Prior, Cap tells Iron Man that Bucky is his friend, to which Stark replies, “So was I.” The fact that he says “was” reveals much about what comes next as the three battle it out in the mountaintops. It is Winter Soldier that, as mentioned, has the most questions circling about him as he is seen both with and against Avengers, and while the split against registration puts the team on two sides, to come to blows like this says a lot about the direction and tone of the film. Looks to be the right move.
What To Look For In The Trailer
David Says: First off is Scarlet Witch, one of the better characters to come out of Age of Ultron. Perhaps the most powerful of the Avengers (aside from Vision), she is very intriguing and while the trailer keeps her silent and in the background, as mentioned above, the Accords are handed to her first, suggesting she will have some say in the story. Still, the Sneak Peek Moment comes toward the end when we see Iron Man sans helmet cradling the body of a War Machine (Don Cheadle). War Machine’s armor is heavily damage, the chest plate nearly gutted, and his mask is off. Is he dead? Stark looks utterly defeated, his expression one of bitterness and sorrow, as if he as seen all that he can, done all that is able. It’s a devastating image and with the background a smoldering airport, it’s clear something very bad has happened and perhaps about to get worse. What do you think? Are you excited for more Avengers? How about the darker tone? Let us know in the comments below.
Dan Says: First up, the trailer hits us with the story. Next up, it hits us with some Biff, Pow, Pop. There is a flurry of quick glimpses at several action scenes. The spectacle isn’t grand like Man of Steel or something, it’s more contained and down-to-earth. These cramped quarters fights seem more realistic, keeping the audience engaged, instead of our mind drifting off to calculate the impossible physics of a superhero battle. My Sneak Peek Moment is when Iron Man takes on Captain America and Winter Soldier… at the same time. Stark is attacked from both sides by our “heroes.” The super soldiers trade punches and kicks, with slashing and bashing of the shield, tossing it back and forth to one another in between blows. It doesn’t look good for Iron Man. Will he come around and see their side of the debate? Will he believe the (possible?) conspiracy to frame Bucky for War Machine’s injuries? I can’t wait to find out. This impressive trailer just ramped up my anticipation even more. The sneak preview for Civil War ranks right up there with the best blockbuster trailers of the year, like Star Wars, Batman v Superman, and The Suicide Squad.
Directors:
Writers:
Christopher Markus (screenplay), Stephen McFeely (screenplay)