Jack Goes Confidential: Avengers Back In Full Force—But Divided

What a way to jump-start the summer movie season…

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR will have fans debating over which is the better of the two: THE WINTER SOLDIER or this latest addition to Marvel’s seemingly never ending cash cow universe.

(Side note: Industry forecasters are projecting a $ 190 million-Plus opening weekend at the domestic box office.)

CIVIL WAR will be viewed as a brand extension – or better yet, a cross pollination of the action franchise – delves into vigilantism with surprisingly strong doses of violence.

It offers up situations that ultimately divide the cinematic universe of Team Captain America and Team Iron Man —not to mention some incredible character incarnations.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. However after an incident involving the Avengers which results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team.

The bottom line: a new status quo which fractures the Avengers into two camps.

And on-and-on it goes, becoming quite complicated and talky along the way. But if you can make it through the various ins and outs of the story line,  you’ll be rewarded by some incredible visual effects.

It’s like Industrial Light and Magic on steroids—and then some.

You wonder how they managed to stuff such a star-studded ensemble into this giant undertaking – which includes, Chris Evans, Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Elizabeth Olsen, William Hurt, Frank Grillo, Daniel Bruehl, Paul Bettany, Tom Holland—and Paul Rudd as Ant-Man scoring an all new suit!

Is the movie long? Oh yeah! Almost two and a half hours and that’s not counting the trailers.

As for parents wondering if this PG-13 rated superhero movie is OK for kids, note the MPAA’s explanation for the ratings advising is “extended sequences of violence, action and mayhem.”

Personally, I wouldn’t take a kid under the age of eight to see it.

As to the 3D, it’s really not that important; you can easily do without

Finally about the end scene? Well there are actually two!

The first pops up about half a minute or so into the end credits.

The second is at the very tail of the credits and fans will get a kick out of it.

My favorite line in the film has Robert Downey, Jr. spewing to Chris Evans: “Sometimes I want to punch you in your perfect teeth.”

(Obviously I’m easily amused.)

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR opens at most indoor and ALL Drive-In theaters citywide.

My grade: B.

(Reviewed at B&B Theatres Overland Park 16)

JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday mornings during Kansas City’s Morning News on 98.1 FM, KMBZ.