Movie Review: CACW
Movie Review: Captain America: Civil War. Spoilery as heck! Do not enter if you haven't seen it, unless you want to be spoiled. I thought this movie was a thematic mess.
The central theme they danced b/w government control versus private autonomy got utterly lost when they mixed in the cross-theme of vigilantism. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not, but if it was, boy were they off the mark, because the ending turned the rationale of the film contradictory and foolish.
Steve thinks the Avengers should have no oversight and follow no laws of any country. He makes this very clear in various meetings they have with the Secretary of State and later. He doesn't want to lose the Avengers' autonomy.
But then you have the Black Panther, who decides that Bucky is responsible for his father's death and swears vengeance on Bucky -- more vigilantism. If Black Panther doesn't follow due process and kills Bucky, how is that legal and just? Poor Bucky was innocent. It was a set-up. And if Bucky had followed due process and turned himself in instead of he and Steve beating on and almost killing cops just doing their jobs (think of the hours of surgery and physical therapy for all these poor people!!!! And the countless injured in the car chase through the tunnel, not to mention the property damage) then the truth would have come out and there would be no Civil War among the Avengers.
They fought for nothing. And if they'd been willing to follow due process, well, that's all that's being asked, right? Respect the sovereignty of nations. The United Freaking Nations is asking the Avengers to ASK PERMISSION before swooping in and taking action. That's all. For chrissake. That doesn't seem like too much to ask, to sign an accord and stick to it. Just because you are super, doesn't mean you own the place. And then if you accidentally blow it up like you always do, at least then you can point to the U.N. and say they asked for it. Jesus.
Anyway, back to the film. They found out more baddies are in the offing and go investigate. Tony changes sides completely and wants to wreak vengeance for his parents--more vigilantism. Shouldn't Steve support that according to his rules? Bucky is a criminal. Bucky murdered Tony's parents and so Steve should let Tony and Bucky duke it out. But no, it turns out Steve has no real morality. It seems loyalty alone is his guide--Bucky is his friend so never mind his past. And I have to say: sorry, but that's what the courts are for, to protect us from all-powerful people who use loyalty (old-boy networks), emotion, and cash to make decisions of justice instead of the even hand of the law. The laws should apply to everyone, not just to people who aren't Steve's buddies. Tony isn't Bucky's judge and neither is Steve. Bucky should stand trial, probably be found mentally incompetent for his crimes, and be treated by psychiatric professionals to get rid of those Cold War codes that are his triggers. Instead, he gets put on ice again? Poor Bucky!!! He deserves a life. He deserves warmth and friendship and not to be cold and alone. My heart broke for him. If they weren't in hiding, he could have had the world's best psychiatrists working on his problem. (Not to disrespect the Wakandan's medical services, but they are one nation, not a world-wide resource.)
And poor Tony--his face when he realized Steve knew that Bucky had killed his parents. Augh. And he's treated like an outcast for standing up for the U.N. and the sovereignty of nations. And then Clint taunts him as if it's his fault? You don't do millions of dollars in property damage, cause a permanent spinal injury to your team mate, and then high horse it, Clint.
I really didn't enjoy this movie. It seemed like a big mess, thematically, and just a 2.5 hour set-up for the 20 minute yawner of a fight in the airport parking lot, and the Steve-Tony-Bucky fight. Poorly thought-out justification for dick-swinging.
I may be done with Marvel altogether if they don't get some better writers.
[ X-posted to Dreamwidth with
comments | How to use OpenID ]
The central theme they danced b/w government control versus private autonomy got utterly lost when they mixed in the cross-theme of vigilantism. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not, but if it was, boy were they off the mark, because the ending turned the rationale of the film contradictory and foolish.
Steve thinks the Avengers should have no oversight and follow no laws of any country. He makes this very clear in various meetings they have with the Secretary of State and later. He doesn't want to lose the Avengers' autonomy.
But then you have the Black Panther, who decides that Bucky is responsible for his father's death and swears vengeance on Bucky -- more vigilantism. If Black Panther doesn't follow due process and kills Bucky, how is that legal and just? Poor Bucky was innocent. It was a set-up. And if Bucky had followed due process and turned himself in instead of he and Steve beating on and almost killing cops just doing their jobs (think of the hours of surgery and physical therapy for all these poor people!!!! And the countless injured in the car chase through the tunnel, not to mention the property damage) then the truth would have come out and there would be no Civil War among the Avengers.
They fought for nothing. And if they'd been willing to follow due process, well, that's all that's being asked, right? Respect the sovereignty of nations. The United Freaking Nations is asking the Avengers to ASK PERMISSION before swooping in and taking action. That's all. For chrissake. That doesn't seem like too much to ask, to sign an accord and stick to it. Just because you are super, doesn't mean you own the place. And then if you accidentally blow it up like you always do, at least then you can point to the U.N. and say they asked for it. Jesus.
Anyway, back to the film. They found out more baddies are in the offing and go investigate. Tony changes sides completely and wants to wreak vengeance for his parents--more vigilantism. Shouldn't Steve support that according to his rules? Bucky is a criminal. Bucky murdered Tony's parents and so Steve should let Tony and Bucky duke it out. But no, it turns out Steve has no real morality. It seems loyalty alone is his guide--Bucky is his friend so never mind his past. And I have to say: sorry, but that's what the courts are for, to protect us from all-powerful people who use loyalty (old-boy networks), emotion, and cash to make decisions of justice instead of the even hand of the law. The laws should apply to everyone, not just to people who aren't Steve's buddies. Tony isn't Bucky's judge and neither is Steve. Bucky should stand trial, probably be found mentally incompetent for his crimes, and be treated by psychiatric professionals to get rid of those Cold War codes that are his triggers. Instead, he gets put on ice again? Poor Bucky!!! He deserves a life. He deserves warmth and friendship and not to be cold and alone. My heart broke for him. If they weren't in hiding, he could have had the world's best psychiatrists working on his problem. (Not to disrespect the Wakandan's medical services, but they are one nation, not a world-wide resource.)
And poor Tony--his face when he realized Steve knew that Bucky had killed his parents. Augh. And he's treated like an outcast for standing up for the U.N. and the sovereignty of nations. And then Clint taunts him as if it's his fault? You don't do millions of dollars in property damage, cause a permanent spinal injury to your team mate, and then high horse it, Clint.
I really didn't enjoy this movie. It seemed like a big mess, thematically, and just a 2.5 hour set-up for the 20 minute yawner of a fight in the airport parking lot, and the Steve-Tony-Bucky fight. Poorly thought-out justification for dick-swinging.
I may be done with Marvel altogether if they don't get some better writers.
[ X-posted to Dreamwidth with
comments | How to use OpenID ]