Civil War

I watched Civil War and I liked it. 3/5

Civil War (2024) is one of those movies that feels like it has all the makings of something profound—there’s tension, social commentary, and plenty of chances to make a meaningful statement. And yet, as the credits rolled, I was left feeling like the movie had glanced over all the depth it could have explored. This was a film with great potential to dig into themes that resonate in today’s divided world but, for whatever reason, it ultimately seemed to shy away from diving in too deep.

The premise certainly gives it plenty of room to make a big impact. The story is set in a near-future America caught up in a politically-fueled conflict—a familiar yet unsettling take on our current socio-political landscape. Think: a dystopian thriller with the bones of a social critique. It’s tense, with enough action and drama to keep you invested, but instead of cutting to the heart of the issues it dances around, Civil War feels like it’s holding back. The film is visually engaging, with desolate landscapes and chaotic urban scenes that really bring the “civil war” atmosphere to life. But visuals aside, the film never quite leans into the meaningful moments that could have transformed it into something powerful. It’s as if the movie wanted to capture the energy of classics like Children of Men or V for Vendetta but didn’t want to commit to saying anything too risky.

At its core, Civil War follows a handful of characters on both sides of this conflict, each struggling to survive as they grapple with the state of their fractured country. We’ve got the classic archetypes: the reluctant soldier, the innocent civilian, the battle-hardened revolutionary. Each character is well-acted—no complaints on that front—but their stories don’t really go anywhere we haven’t already seen in other post-apocalyptic or war movies. You can almost see where the narrative could’ve dug deeper, fleshing out their motivations or challenging their beliefs, but it seems content with just scratching the surface. It’s almost as if the film is more interested in keeping the action moving than allowing us to sit with the characters and truly understand them.

Where Civil War does shine is in its ability to build tension. Director Alex Garland (taking creative liberties here if it’s not directed by Garland) has a real knack for crafting a scene with a sense of dread, and the first act of the movie plays well, building suspense and giving us glimpses of the unrest. You’re braced for impact, waiting for some grand, revelatory moment that will either explain why this war is happening or offer a meaningful look at its cost. But that moment never quite comes. Instead, it feels like the movie peaks in its first half, leaving us with a lot of impressive build-up but only a moderate payoff.

One of the movie’s strengths is its ability to look eerily like a version of our world that we could almost see coming. There’s something unsettling about the way Civil War mirrors today’s divisions, yet without the insight or commentary that makes that mirror truly impactful. It’s almost frustratingly apolitical for a movie that has “Civil War” in the title. You might think this film would want to take a stance, to say something about the dangers of extremism or the fallout of polarization. But it seems reluctant to offend, as if it wants to keep its audience as broad as possible without pushing too hard on any buttons. It ends up feeling safe, maybe even a little sanitized, in a genre that thrives on pushing boundaries.

It’s worth mentioning that the action sequences are well-executed. The film brings a gritty realism to its battles and standoffs, and there’s an intensity to the violence that makes you sit up and pay attention. It’s brutal without feeling gratuitous, and the choreography is tight and believable. But action alone isn’t enough to carry the film. The more intense moments seem to lead right up to the edge of a larger revelation, only to back off at the last second, leaving us with yet another skirmish but no deeper understanding.

In the end, Civil War is a film that I wanted to like more than I actually did. It’s a visually compelling movie with solid performances and well-crafted suspense, but it doesn’t quite capitalize on what it could have been. There was a real opportunity here to dig into big questions and explore themes that are more relevant than ever, but instead, the film opts for a safe, middle-of-the-road approach that might leave you entertained but not exactly moved. It’s a shame because the potential was there; it just needed a little more courage to step beyond the genre tropes and aim for something with real weight.

If you’re in the mood for a well-executed dystopian thriller that’s big on action but a bit shy on substance, Civil War will scratch that itch. But if you’re looking for a thought-provoking commentary that resonates beyond the runtime, you may find yourself wishing this war had something more to say.

Our Score

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