- PG-13
- 2h 27m
- Directed by
-
- Joe Russo
- Screenplay
- Stephen McFeely
- Premiered
- April 27, 2016
- Language
-
- English
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $250,000,000.00
- Revenue
- $1,155,046,416.00
- Awards
-
- 16 wins & 73 nominations total
- Country
-
- United States of America
Captain America: Civil War
- Production
-
- Marvel Studios
Spoiler
In the aftermath of global destruction and escalating collateral damage, the world grapples with the unchecked power of its superhuman protectors. The year is 2016, and Marvel Studios' Captain America: Civil War plunges audiences into a deeply divisive conflict that pits former allies against each other, exploring the complex moral landscape of heroism and accountability. Directed by Joe Russo, this 2-hour and 27-minute adventure, rated 7.4 on TMDB, masterfully dissects the consequences of unchecked power, forcing the Avengers to confront their actions and choose sides in a battle that will redefine their very existence.
The seeds of discord are sown in a chilling flashback to 1991. We witness the chilling sight of Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), the Winter Soldier, frozen in stasis. HYDRA operatives defrost him, their sinister words from a book unlocking a programmed obedience. Tasked with a critical extraction, Bucky operates with ruthless efficiency, leaving no witnesses. The mission concludes with a violent car crash, revealing the terrifying extent of the Super Soldier serum coursing through his veins.
Fast forward to the present day in Lagos, Nigeria. The Avengers – Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Falcon (Anthony Mackie), and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) – are engaged in a covert operation to gather intelligence. Their mission is violently interrupted when a garbage truck smashes into the Center for Infectious Diseases, unleashing an attack. As the Avengers spring into action, Brock Rumlow (Frank Grillo) manages to secure a dangerous bioweapon and makes his escape. The pursuit leads to a bustling market, where a fierce confrontation erupts. In a pivotal moment, Captain America corners Rumlow, who reveals that Bucky was his buyer and cryptically warns Steve to stay away from him before detonating a suicide bomb. In a desperate act of self-preservation, Wanda Maximoff contains the blast, but her uncontrolled power redirects it into a nearby building, tragically claiming the lives of multiple relief aid workers.
The devastating fallout from the Lagos incident reverberates across the globe. In Massachusetts, Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), delivers a speech at MIT, highlighting his philanthropic efforts in funding student projects. His address is abruptly halted when Pepper Potts' name appears on the teleprompter, a reminder of her absence. Shortly after, a grieving Miriam Sharpe (Alfre Woodard) confronts Stark, her voice laced with anguish. She holds him responsible for the destruction in Sokovia during the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, where her son, Charles Spencer, perished when a building collapsed. "You guys are only fighting for yourself," she declares, her words a searing indictment. "Who's going to avenge my son, Stark?" Her poignant question leaves Tony deeply contemplative.
Back at Stark's compound, Wanda is consumed by guilt, replaying the Lagos attack. She remains under guard, protected by Vision (Paul Bettany), her powers contained. The weight of their actions finally prompts action from the global community. Secretary of State Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt) summons the Avengers, presenting them with a stark reality. He labels them dangerous vigilantes who disregard sovereign borders and cause widespread destruction. Ross then unveils the Sokovia Accords, a document endorsed by 117 United Nations member states, demanding government oversight and regulation of all superhuman activity. Refusal means forced retirement.
Meanwhile, in Cleveland, a chilling scene unfolds. Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) infiltrates a man's home, demanding information about events on December 16, 1991. When the man, revealed to be a HYDRA operative, refuses to cooperate, Zemo drowns him.
The Avengers are divided. Tony, still haunted by Miriam Sharpe's words, advocates for signing the Accords. Steve, however, remains steadfast in his belief that they must retain their autonomy. His resolve is further solidified by the news of Agent Carter's (Haley Atwell) passing. At her funeral in London, Sharon Carter/Agent 13 (Emily VanCamp) delivers a moving eulogy about standing firm for one's convictions, inspiring Steve to reject the Accords outright.
The debate escalates to the United Nations in Vienna. King T'Chaka of Wakanda engages in conversation with Natasha Romanoff, inquiring about Captain America's absence. He is then introduced to his son, T'Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). During the King's address, a devastating bombing occurs, claiming his life. Steve and Sharon investigate, discovering that Bucky is the prime suspect. In Vienna, T'Challa confronts Natasha, vowing to bring Bucky to justice himself. Steve, alerted by Natasha, is warned against pursuing Bucky. Sharon provides Steve with crucial information, while Zemo, in a hotel room, meticulously studies a book of programmed words designed to control Bucky, alongside a peculiar red device.
In Bucharest, Steve finally locates Bucky, who is in hiding. Their reunion is cut short by the arrival of authorities, leading to a chaotic confrontation. As Bucky attempts to escape, Black Panther intervenes, initiating a high-speed chase involving Bucky, Black Panther, Captain America, and Falcon. The pursuit culminates in their apprehension by James Rhodes/War Machine (Don Cheadle), who wryly remarks, "Congrats Cap. You're a criminal."
Back at Stark's compound, Wanda remains confined, with Vision preventing her escape. In Berlin, the captured individuals from Bucharest are being transported, Bucky held in a separate cage. Tony attempts to engage Steve in conversation, but their discussion quickly devolves into a heated argument over the Accords.
During Bucky's interrogation, the red device from Vienna is activated near a communications hub, unleashing an electromagnetic pulse that plunges the city into darkness. The interrogator reveals himself to be Zemo, who, using the programmed words, brainwashes Bucky and demands a mission report from December 16, 1991. Steve intervenes, but is thrown down an elevator shaft. A brainwashed Bucky then attacks Stark, Carter, Romanov, and Black Panther. Bucky manages to escape, and a subsequent confrontation with Steve atop a helicopter leads to both falling into a pool below.
Bucky awakens, bound and accompanied by Steve and Wilson. He reveals a shocking truth: he wasn't the only Winter Soldier. A flashback to 1991 shows another captured individual transformed into an ultra-violent soldier who eradicates everyone in sight. Bucky explains that these numerous Winter Soldiers operate as a death squad intent on global destruction. Despite Falcon's urging, Steve refuses to inform Tony, believing he wouldn't be believed.
In Berlin, Stark and Romanov are debriefed by Secretary Ross. They propose apprehending Bucky and Steve themselves within 72 hours. Ross agrees but reduces the timeframe to 36 hours for all three. Stark and Romanov begin strategizing to assemble a team.
In Queens, a teenager named Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland) is visited by Tony Stark, who confronts him about his secret identity and recruits him for a mission in Germany. Meanwhile, at Stark's compound, Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) secretly arrives and enlists Wanda's aid for Steve. A confrontation with Vision ensues, with Wanda ultimately incapacitating him by dropping him through multiple levels of the earth before departing with Hawkeye. Black Widow, in Berlin, recruits Black Panther.
In Germany, at Leipzig Airport, Sharon Carter provides Steve with vital information before a kiss. Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch arrive, accompanied by Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), bolstering Steve's team.
The two factions collide in a monumental battle. Team Cap and Team Iron Man engage in an epic clash. Falcon urges Steve and Bucky to escape while the others create a diversion. As they attempt to flee, Vision intervenes. The prolonged fight sees Ant-Man grow to giant size. Vision disables the air control towers, allowing Steve and Bucky to reach their aircraft just in time. However, they are intercepted by Black Widow, who incapacitates War Machine behind them and allows Steve and Bucky to escape, stating she helped them find the targets, not capture them. Iron Man, War Machine, and Falcon pursue, but Vision accidentally shoots War Machine out of the sky, sending him plummeting to the ground, much to Tony's horror.
In Vienna, the intended interrogator of Bucky is found dead in his hotel room. On the plane, Steve questions his choices to Bucky. On the ground, War Machine faces paralysis, and Tony confronts Natasha, accusing her of imprisonment for defying the Accords. Natasha retorts, questioning his ego. Tony, now determined, takes off alone in a helicopter. He discovers Zemo's deception and the truth about the Vienna incident. Zemo, meanwhile, finds a chamber filled with numerous frozen soldiers.
Tony arrives at a base and finds Team Cap imprisoned. He admits to Falcon that he was wrong and intends to find Rogers. He deceives Secretary Ross, claiming to be returning to the compound, but heads to Steve instead. Unbeknownst to Tony, Black Panther is following him.
At their location, Bucky and Steve find Tony, and a reconciliation occurs as they realize he now understands Zemo's manipulation. The trio explores, with Black Panther observing from the shadows. Upon entering the chamber, they discover all the soldiers are dead, killed by Zemo. Zemo reveals his master plan, playing the case file from December 16, 1991: Bucky, in his programmed state, killed Tony's parents. Enraged, Tony attacks Bucky, leading to a brutal three-way fight.
Outside, Zemo confesses his motive: to dismantle the Avengers, having lost his family due to their actions in Sokovia. He attempts suicide but is stopped by Black Panther, who, having renounced revenge, captures Zemo. Inside, the fight between Captain America and Iron Man intensifies, with Tony intent on killing Bucky. Steve ultimately gains the upper hand, disabling Tony's arc reactor with his shield. Tony accuses Steve of dishonoring his father's legacy. Steve leaves his shield behind and departs with Bucky.
Later, Rhodey undergoes physical therapy with Tony's assistance, using an exoskeleton to regain mobility. A FedEx delivery man (a cameo by Stan Lee) delivers a letter from Cap to Tony. In it, Steve acknowledges the Avengers as Tony's, apologizes for the deception regarding his parents, and expresses regret over their disagreement on the Accords, emphasizing the need for their unity. The film concludes with Team Cap breaking out of their imprisonment.
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