By: Anton Massopust III

“The world was wrong about you don’t deserve that shield. My father made that shield.” 

– Tony Stark to Captain America

Captain America: Civil War is based on the 2006 comic book series of the same name. As is often the case, there are differences between the comic and the film. In the comics, new warriors try to stop a supervillain that’s out of their league. As a consequence, he blows himself up and takes half of Connecticut with him. The resulting collateral damage compels the government into implementing a superhero registry forcing any super-powered being whether they want to or not must work for the government.

The movie follows the basic template from the comic book, but the details are different. In the movie, Baron Zemo is the villain, and he wants revenge for the death of his family, who died during the destruction in Sokovia when the Avengers fought Ultron. He attacks the Wakanda Embassy and frames Bucky Barnes (the Winter Soldier).

This prompts the Secretary of State (and enemy of the Hulk) Thunderbolt Ross to declare that the Avengers need to be kept in check. He forces them to sign an agreement under the UN Charter. The Avengers are prevented from being autonomous and answer to the UN. Captain America refuses to sign the agreement and wants to go after the Winter Soldier himself. This puts him at odds with Iron Man who supports the registry.

Neither man wants to fight. They both believe the Winter Soldier and other heroes but can’t agree what to do about it. Captain America rescues the Winter Soldier with the help of Ant-Man, Hawkeye and the Scarlet Witch. This puts him up against the team of Iron Man, Black Panther (who believes the Winter Soldier attacked his embassy where his father was killed) and the long awaited newest addition, Spiderman.

Some have said that there isn’t enough Spiderman and this film is just a tease for the next Spiderman film, “Spiderman: Homecoming.” I disagree. We get to see a lot of Spiderman, so I was more than satisfied. There’s plenty of superhero action and lots of fights. Like the previous Captain America movie, it’s a lot to take in and I think there will be more clarity with repeated viewings. As with most Marvel movies, stay to the very end to see the closing credits for not one, but two scenes. Should you take the whole family to see this? Yes! Take the whole family! Both kids and adults will enjoy the latest addition to the Marvel Comic Universe.