Review of Civil War

Civil War (2024)
8/10
Tough road trip.
15 April 2024
Bonus content from ex machina re-release was from the start of the movie, I loved that. I wish studios did that more often like how avengers endgame trailer was just from the first 5min of the movie.

I loved this because a while ago I heard a comedian talk about America's always fighting wars but all of them are away games, never on home soil. So I loved the premise. The line about "sending a warning back home" resonated well, as the film serves as a cautionary tale of the potential consequences of civil unrest. Cool movie to watch in imax, I thought about 4dx but unsure if I'd have loved to be thrown around.

Loved the film's graphic depiction of war, both impactful and disturbing. It's one of those war movies that makes you actively despise war. I expected a full on scale war at first, the focus on journalists added a layer of realism, felt grounded. I also thought the movie would be following a family, turns out it's journalists. It reminded me of Russell Crowe's role in The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022), a movie I had almost forgotten about.

Despite its lively soundtrack, the movie effectively conveys the brutality of war. It balances bleak humor with vibrant visuals, showcasing the juxtaposition between beauty and violence. However, certain scenes, like the mass grave sequence felt a bit unrealistic; I found it hard to believe that the characters wouldn't hear an SUV speeding towards them. The grave pit scene was great to see on big screens though. I also felt like Joel overreacted a little, losing a friend is tough and all but you're war journalists, he was talking about hearing bullets and missiles flying made his dick hard earlier in the movie.

Nevertheless, the film's portrayal of high-stakes situations and the palpable sense of loss were done well. While I thought/feared only the side characters would face danger, the realization that no one was safe added to the tension. The third act, in particular, was riveting, and special mention to Jesse Plemons, was the most memorable bit. Especially considering he was only put in the movie days before they shot that sequence because an actor dropped out.

Overall, I highly recommend this film. It's more than just an action movie; it's a gripping and emotional journey that leaves a lasting impact. I expected something similar to White House Down but I found this experience to be far more thrilling and immersive. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the last third of the movie.
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