Is Captain America: Civil War The Best Comic Book Movie Ever?

With Captain America: Civil War now available on home video formats, it's time to take a look back at the highly anticipated 13th film in Marvel's unrivaled superhero franchise.  Critics and fans alike praised the film, but, is it really as good as everyone says it is?  Well, yeah.  And no.  

If you're invested in the characters in this sprawling franchise and if you've seen all 12 previous films, Civil War is without a doubt the most emotionally satisfying.  With so many characters used (and introduced), it's easy to think that someone will get shortchanged.  Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have done the Herculean task of making all of these characters relevant.  It's actually kind of amazing that they were able to pull it off and make it satisfying.  Even characters that have minimal screen time get their moments to shine as well as to advance their own personal story arcs.   Perpetual punch line Hawkeye is used more effectively in this one than any of the previous 3 films that he's appeared in.  Seeds are sown for future storylines involving Scarlet Witch and the Vision.  There's a lot of moving parts in Civil War and very few pieces miss the mark.  

Because of the inclusion of Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man (and the other 73 heroes included), everyone keeps referring to Civil War as Avengers 2.5.  While on the surface it does seem that way, this film is a very clear continuation of the Winter Soldier storyline.  Bucky Barnes (the Winter Soldier) and Sam Wilson (Falcon) play a huge part in the storyline.  Even moreso than their more famous Avengers peers.  This is a Captain America sequel first and foremost.  

Civil War introduced the Black Panther to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and he did not disappoint.  The Russos kept the regal and elegant personality of T'challa and the ferociousness of the Panther.  The balance was excellent and makes his first solo movie that much more anticipated.  And that costume!  Incredible.  

Of course, everyone knows that Spider-Man made his debut to the MCU in Civil War.  After some great (and not so great) movies from Sony, Marvel Studios has finally gotten him back and they've made the Spidey that fans of the character have been waiting forever to see.  This is Spider-Man.  He's a ridiculously awkward kid with amazing powers.  He's in awe of of his more experienced counterparts.  Thank you Marvel for giving us the definitive version of a cinematic webcrawler.  

The airport fight.  The single greatest action scene in any comic book movie ever.  That's all I'm gonna say about it.  

So, I know way back up at the top, I said that maybe it's not the best comic book movie ever and then I rave about it for about 2 years.  Well, as a massive fan of what Marvel has pulled off with their Cinematic Universe, Civil War was the most fun, the most emotional and the most satisfying comic book movie.  For those who aren't quite as well versed in the MCU, there's a chance that you could get lost with how much this movie relies on the entries that came before it.  I don't think you'd get so lost as to not enjoy the film, but there's no way you can get that emotional impact of the final confrontation between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark if you haven't been following the soap opera!  For that reason, I still think Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the better film.  It's a tighter, more self contained story that doesn't require to know anything to really get it.  Civil War is the better comic book movie and to put it in porno movie terms, the money shot.  

What did you think of Captain America: Civil War?  Leave some comments down below.  We'd love to hear what you think!