The flicks
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR conquers viewers with an excellent script and plenty of action, but THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT is a poor cousin of the first installment
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (M)
Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland Rating: **** IT was only a month ago that DC Comics’ Batman V Superman slugfest left the planet feeling they’d been forced to chug a concrete smoothie. Now it is Marvel Entertainment’s turn to blend up a multi-hero grudge match, and man, does it go down so much better.
Like the best blockbusters of the modern era, CACW can be as deep or as meaningless as you want it to be. There is such a precise balance struck here between brainy myth-making and brawny earth-shaking that resistance is useless
The movie wastes no time in stirring up a six-a-side scuffle between opposing Avengersaligned squads coached by Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). The divide between the warring factions has more to do with a complex difference of opinion on global defence policy than anything as simple as pure spite.
So who is right, and who is wrong? Well, as is the case with any ideological argument, it is not as straightforward as that. What does matter is who will be filling the team sheets as Captain America and Iron Man get ready to get punchy.
The Captain’s mob are heavy hitters indeed. Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Falcon (Anthony Mackie) are at their leader’s side from the get-go; and are later joined at just the right time by Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and a newly-thawed Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).
A welcome wildcard recruit in the shapechanging, wise-cracking form of Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) completes an impressive line-up.
Meanwhile, in his guise as industrialist Tony Stark, Iron Man has little trouble bolstering his ranks with like-minded peers. Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and War Machine (Don Cheadle) are in there like a flash. Vision (Paul Bettany) takes his time, but gradually comes aboard. Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) is brought into the fray on behalf of Team Iron Man at a vital juncture. This new character gets just enough origin-story business to justify his presence in the film, and he is not alone copping the short-and-sweet treatment from co-directors Anthony and Joe Russo.
A fresh teenage iteration of Spider-Man (Tom Holland) is also swiftly escorted into the eye of the storm with surprisingly little fanfare. In fact, by way of introduction, all the Spideykid gets is a quick job interview with Tony Stark (which, it must be said, is the best-written scene in a well-scripted film).
Considering the notable storytelling heft maintained throughout the picture — as the Marvel Universe expands, so too must the dramatic force fields attracting and repelling its galaxy of stars — CACW barrels through its 150 minutes with boredom kept well at bay. EDDIE THE EAGLE (PG) A heartwarming tale loosely based on Great Britain’s first ever Olympic ski jumper, this is pleasant enough but could have been better if the makers had stuck to Eddie’s incredible true story, instead of making half the stuff up. Even so, it’s an inspiring, often amusing story of the underdog not exactly winning, but at least taking part. EYE IN THE SKY (M) An intelligent, well-rounded military drama that questions the morals of using drone warfare to kill. An excellent cast including Helen Mirren and the late, great Alan Rickman. THE JUNGLE BOOK (PG) Looks are everything in this visually enchanting remake of an old favourite. The storytelling is not quite so satisfactory, but when something looks this good it doesn’t matter. It’s worth the added expense to watch the adventures of Mowgli in 3D, and you’ll feel as if you are right there in the jungle with him. THE BOSS (MA15+) Melissa McCarthy stars as a self-made millionaire whose world came crashing down when she was jailed after some dodgy dealing. She’s now looking for a new get-rich-quick scheme that involves ripping off Girl Guides. But what could have been pretty funny, isn’t, and you feel it’s another missed opportunity by McCarthy. THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR (M) Kind of a prequel and a sequel to this is not its equal. The basic story follows Freya, sister of Ravenna who The Huntsman killed, kind of, and her mission to build an army from child warriors. One of them is The Huntsman. He is kicked out when caught fraternising with Sara, Freya’s top woman warrior. The magical mirror plays another starring role, as does Ravenna. BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (M) This is half spectacular superhero smackdown and half a powerplay by DC Comics to gain lost ground on their Marvel rivals. In the wake of growing unrest over the collateral damage of Superman’s cavalier heroics, Batman declares enough is enough. Fireworks ensue as the heroes battle it out.