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THEMED TRIVIA: Marvel | The Wandering Griffin

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Date: Monday, March 31st, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: The Wandering Griffin, 3725 Presidential Dr., Beavercreek, OH 45324

Introduction:
🦸‍♂️✨ Avengers, Assemble! Join us at The Wandering Griffin for a Marvel Comics Themed Trivia Night! Whether you’re a fan of the Avengers, X-Men, or the Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s time to put your Marvel knowledge to the test. 🕷️⚡

Event Overview:
From the pages of the comics to the big screen, test your knowledge of the Marvel Universe. Dive into questions about your favorite heroes, villains, and iconic storylines in this action-packed trivia night.

Highlights:

  • 🦹 Marvel Comics Trivia: Questions about characters, plotlines, and unforgettable moments from the Marvel Universe. How well do you know your superheroes?
  • 🍔 Food & Drinks: Enjoy our delicious pub fare and craft beers while you play. Trivia is always better with some super-powered snacks!
  • 🏆 Prizes: Epic prizes for the top teams. Show off your Marvel expertise and take home some heroic rewards.

Why Attend:

  • Show Off Your Marvel Knowledge: Prove you’re the ultimate Marvel fan and impress everyone with your encyclopedic knowledge of the universe.
  • Fun for All: Perfect for a night out with friends, family, or fellow Marvel enthusiasts. Teams are welcome!
  • Heroic Atmosphere: Our lively and fun environment ensures a great time for everyone, whether you’re team Cap or team Iron Man.

NOTE: Walk-ins are welcome but we encourage you to reserve through our Facebook messenger to get an ideal spot, especially for larger parties. Please don’t reserve through any other pages as they’re purely for promotional purposes and tickets will not be honored.

Don’t miss out on this EPIC trivia night! 🎟️ Sign up now and join us for an evening of fun, friends, and fierce competition.

Hashtags:
#BeavercreekEvents #FairbornOH #DaytonOhio #WanderingGriffin #TriviaNight #MarvelTrivia #CraftBeer #LocalEvents #OhioBrewery #SuperheroFans #MarvelComics #MarvelStudios #Marvel #ComicTrivia #ThemedTrivia #MarvelSuperheroes #SuperheroTrivia

McCoy on Movies: Ant-Man and the Wasp

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Marvel returns to delivering fun in various sizes with humorous Ant-Man and the Wasp!

 

“When I asked if you had seen Blade, this is NOT what I meant!” Hope Van Dyne a.k.a. the Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) runs against an assailant’s attack in a scene from Peyton Reed’s latest entry into the Marvel Universe, ANT-MAN & THE WASP. Credit: Film Frame © 2018 Marvel Studios. All rights reserved. 


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:
 


 



KEY CAST MEMBERS: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Abby Ryder Fortson, Hannah John-Kamen, Walton Goggins, Michael Peña, Tip “T.I.” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Randall Park, Judy Greer and Bobby Cannavale with Laurence Fishburne and Michele Pfeiffer 

WRITER(S): Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Paul Rudd, Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari; based on characters created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber and Ernie Hart

DIRECTOR(S): Peyton Reed

WEB SITE: http://marvel.com/movies/movie/245/ant-man_and_the_waspHERE’S THE STORY: Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War but BEFORE Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp finds our hero Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) on house arrest as a result of his actions in Sovokia since, you know, he wasn’t legally about to be there. FBI agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) is ready to bust Scott at a moment’s notice, even though he only has 3 days until his sentence is up – which he can’t wait to spend with his daughter Cassie a.k.a. Peanut (Abby Ryder Fortson). Even Scott’s ex wife Maggie (Judy Greer) and her new husband Paxton (Bobby Cannavale) are supportive of his changed ways and his best friend Luis (Michael Peña) is running the security company he started with their other friends Kurt (David Dastmalchian) and Dave (Tip “T.I.” Harris), so what could go wrong?


Well, once Scott starts seeing visions of Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) – the wife of Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and mother of Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) long lost to the mysterious Quantum Realm – plenty.


Despite having not spoken to Hank or Hope in 2 years since, you know, they became FBI fugitives for their use of the Pym particle technology that enables Ant-Man to shrink and increase his size to massive heights, Scott contacts the duo with his news. This, in turn, makes them excited about the prospect of finding Janet – even if it means having to get technology off the black market from guys like Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins), a man always on the lookout for a new way to get rich, no matter what the cost. Sonny and the FBI, however, will soon be far from the biggest problem facing Scott, Hank and Hope, however.


No, that would be the presence of the mysterious malevolent presence of Ava a.k.a. Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), a woman who needs Pym’s technology for reasons that will soon be revealed in startling fashion …

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Fans of the first Ant-Man movie and Thor: Ragnarok; Paul Rudd fans; people who like superhero movies that go for more lighthearted fare than the darker subject matter of Marvel entries such as the Captain America series; people awaiting anything related to 2019’s Avengers 4 movie 

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People who joke about Ant-Man as a character the same way Robot Chicken has Aquaman; those who like a villain that is more pure evil that motivated for a logical reason


SO IS IT GOOD, BAD OR JUST AWFUL? Another solid entry into the Marvel Universe from start to finish, Ant-Man and the Wasp features everything fans of the first movie came to enjoy, just with more of it. There is plenty of humor, well-constructed action sequences that balances its human cartoon with traditional fight elements with Peña once again stealing nearly every scene he’s in, Lilly – who’s Wasp proves she’s no second fiddle to her male partner – and Rudd exhibiting a familiar yet growing, believable chemistry. Likewise, Rudd’s character’s desire to be a good dad never feeling forced due to the great interplay between he and the lovably precocious Fortson. (Seriously, she’s just too cute as his daughter like a live version of Agnes from Despicable Me but more mature.) Surprisingly, Douglas adds an unexpected emotional center to the film, playing both the crotchety old man archetype well when necessary but without ever becoming a parody of it (or himself).


If there is any real flaw in the film, it’s that Ant-Man may have the least compelling villains as of yet seen in Marvel films. (It’s really hard to follow Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger and Josh Brolin’s finger-snapping Thanos/hard-ass Cable with a villain who’s cause is extremely sympathetic and more misunderstood than anything.) Perhaps having a more hard-edged, truly threatening presence on screen might tilt the film in a direction director Peyton Reed and his team may not want to explore, but John-Kamen turns in a solid performance, hitting all the necessary beats. Goggins, for his part, portrays a much more interesting character here than he did in the already forgotten Tomb Raider, bringing some of his Vice Principals “I-should-dislike-you-but-you’re-too-fun” charm to the movie to round things out. 


Throw in some really fun, early Spielberg-like use of Pym’s ants their selves and the movie is while nowhere near as emotionally gripping as say Black Panther or Infinity War, it is full of fun while filled with enough nuances to stand on its own.


Other than that, there’s not much else one really needs to know about Ant-Man and the Wasp as Marvel is wrapping up Phase Three of its master plan – except that the movie proves that Marvel having a plan has led to a decade’s worth of quality films. Ant-Man and the Wasp is all about the idea of family and trying to do right by the people they love while overcoming the odds throw in their way. 


Ant-Man and the Wasp does both of those things in spades and while not the mightiest of Avengers heroes, they definitely team players that prove they are worth a spot in the lineup … Especially if you want to see what just may lie ahead for the man who could become one of the biggest (or, depending on his physical size, smallest) players in Marvel plans heading into 2019.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

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Black Panther Delivers Definitive Superhero Experience That Transcends Race

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Director Ryan Coogler, cast deliver definitive superhero experience that transcends race in Black Panther

“Quit asking me if I know Catwoman … Or I will claw your face off!” T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) stares down a foe as his royal alter ego in a scene from BLACK PANTHER. Credit: Matt Kennedy © 2018 Marvel Studios. All rights reserved.

WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE: 

 


 

 



KEY CAST MEMBERS: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Forest Whitaker, John Kani, Sterling K. Brown, Florence Kasumba and Daniel Kaluuya

WRITER(S): Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole (Screenplay); Stan Lee & Jack Kirby (based on the Marvel comic by)

DIRECTOR(S): Ryan Coogler

 
WEB SITE: http://movies.disney.com/black-pantherHERE’S THE STORY: Introduced to the Marvel Universe in Captain America: Civil War; Black Panther finds T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) still reeling from the loss of his father T’Chaka (John Kani) during a terrorist attack in Vienna. Now preparing to take the throne, T’Challa return home to his native Wakanda for the ceremony where he will officially become king over the most technologically advanced nation on Earth.


And the rest of the world believes Wakanda to be a third world nation, Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) knows the truth. An arms dealer, Klaue wants to steal the rest of the vibranium – the fictional metal that is the rarest in the world in the Marvel Universe – on which Wakanda has built a marvelous empire. And since Klaue led a fatal attack against Wakanda many years ago during T’Chaka’s reign, T’Challa and many of his fellow Wakandans – including W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya), elder statesman Zuri (Forest Whitaker), T’Challa’s mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett), his technologically wiz kid sister Shuri (Letitia Wright), Wakandian spy/T’Challa’s former lover Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Okoye, (Danai Gurira), the head of the Dora Miljae, Wakanda’s female military specialists who essentially serve as the king’s secret service. 


But while T’Challa and company are concerning their selves with protecting Wakanda and taking on Klaue, there is another threat brewing that they don’t even know about that is much bigger and much deadlier – and this threat has a personal connection to T’Challa no one knows.


Then again, with a nickname like “Killmonger” (Michael B. Jordan), what else would you expect? 

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? African-American comic book readers, Marvel Universe fans; people who really enjoyed Captain America: Civil War; those hoping to see a positive but not preachy African-American dominated superhero movie that is also consumable for all audiences

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? The alt-right/anyone who only gets their information from Breitbart/Fox News; people who hate the liberties taken with the backstories – which vary from their comic book origins – of Ulysses Klaue and Erik Killmonger; anyone who has their mind made up heading in what the movie is or should be.

SO IS IT GOOD, BAD OR JUST AWFUL? Look, I don’t want to take a lot of time overly lauding Marvel Studios or its head Kevin Feige for making what The New York Times accurately called “a landmark event for Black America.” (Seriously – click the link; it sums up everything from why Blade and Hancock were superheroes whose blackness felt coincidental and how the forgotten Blankman and Meteor Man lack the combination of storytelling, poignance and for lack of a better word, coolness of Black Panther) has. 


So, instead, what cane someone say about Black Panther without getting into its larger fit into a culture where a reality TV star – who has been married multiple times and delivered one of the most crass sentences ever heard about women before being caught calling countries like the fictional one at the center of the film … you know – is president and the alt-right’s attempted boycott of the movie had thousands of supporters? It’s simple, really.


Black Panther is a solid superhero film with a fictional country and fictional metal that address very real modern socio-political issues in a way comic book fans – and people who just consider them selves movie lovers – can enjoy.


With Fruitvale Station and Creed under his belt, co-writer/director Ryan Coogler has proven he knows how to handle both socially conscious scripts and action sequences – and never have the two mixed together on screen than they do in Black Panther. From his examination of the ideas of the responsibilities of the haves to the have nots to how vital women can be to any man’s success, Black Panther is a showcase of how to tell a story where multiple characters are critical to its overall vibe – all within the context of the Marvel Universe. Of course, Coogler’s kudos wouldn’t exist without a phenomenal acting job by all the parties involved. 


Bozeman – in one might argue is his best on-screen performance yet – creates T’Challa from the ground up (yes, there are decades of comics to draw from, but there was no real-life person to research unlike his previous roles). Nothing feels like a parody of a man, let alone a superhero; T’Challa is man on a familiar mission but Bozeman makes his Wakandian warrior unique. This is why he plays extremely well against the former Johnny Storm Jordan in his second Marvel outing, as his Tupac-like Killmonger feels both menacing and yet, at the same time, justified in his destruction. You know what he’s doing is ultimately wrong – and T’Challa asserts as such – but you completely understand why, which makes his whole presence much more attention-grabbing. Serkis adds a ton of humor as Klaue in playing a more-traditional evil doer, but Jordan’s role is the one that takes over when it’s time.


The rest of the film’s supporting cast is just as strong in their work, the ladies especially. One could write an entire dissertation on how the performances of Wright, Gurira and Nyong’o are three best African-American female roles in a film not named Hidden Figures in terms of their reveals of strength, intelligence, humor and emotion (I would try but it would be a disservice as I am nowhere properly equipped to do so). That being said, Gurira makes sure all her Walking Dead-fans know she is as strong and lethal in Wakanda as she is Virginia as Michonne, Wright plays the Lisa Simpson-smart kid role better than anyone outside of Yeardley Smith herself and Nyong’o balances the two out perfectly. 


Non-leading man wise, Martin Freeman gets a chance to shine as CIA Agent Everett Ross who’s growing appreciation of Wakanda serves as a subtle appreciation for learning someone’s culture. Meanwhile, Winston Duke – who’s character’s comic book origins were a source of concern for the makers of the film – brings a nice sense of levity to his M’Baku character while the Oscar®-nominated Kaluuya and Bassett make the most of their limited yet functional roles. If my about-as-subtle-as-a-grenade-thrown-through-your-front-door rant above didn’t tip you off before, it is impossible as an adult to not think about Black Panther in the larger context of the world today and the points it does make in a very non-preachy manner. As opposed to discussing that, I will simply let you know Black Panther entertains and then, when the opportunity is ripe, seizes the moment in delivering some of the most common sense, pro-humanity messages while at the same time making us think about why some African-Americans could all be Erik Killmonger given recent, ongoing atrocities even if they want to be T’Challa. But make no mistake: You DON’T have to be black to enjoy Black Panther nor do you have to listen to or even pay attention to the larger implications, but it certainly will add to your experience if you are or discuss it with a black friend.

In adding the first true black superhero to the Marvel Universe, Black Panther‘s cast and crew have proven that judging a character’s content is much better than just the color of their costume.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Familiar faces, fun return in Thor: Ragnarok

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The final theatrical release poster for THOR: RAGNAROK. Credit: © 2017 Marvel Studios.

WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE: 

 




KEY CAST MEMBERS: Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, Karl Urban, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum and Sir Anthony Hopkins

WRITER(S): Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost (screenplay); Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Larry Lieber (based on the comics by)

DIRECTOR(S): Taika Waititi

 
WEB SITE: http://marvel.com/movies/movie/222/thor_ragnarokHERE’S THE STORY: Thor (Chris Hemsworth), 2 years removed from the last time the Avengers got together to defeat Ultron, finds himself in a bit of an unexpected bind: Hela (Cate Blanchett), the goddess of death, is coming home to Asgard. But she is not coming home for a reunion; no, she is coming home to claim what she believes is rightfully hers: the throne of Odin (Sir Anthony Hopkins), so that she can rule over the nine realms. 


Unfortunately for Thor, he’s got a bigger problem on his hands: He’s imprisoned on the planet of Sakaar, a literal trash wasteland ruled by a figure known simply as The Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). And the Grandmaster is quite fond of his gladiator battle champion, who as Thor will find out is an old friend from work in the form of the Incredible Hulk … Who he hasn’t seen since his alter ego Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) disappeared after the events of the war in Sokovia (that’s the Avengers: Age of Ultron movie again for the uninitiated). 


So what is the god of thunder to do since he’s got to (1) battle a former brother-at-arms in the Hulk while (2) worrying about what his actual brother and (3) sister who is bent on bringing Ragnarok (a.k.a. destruction) to their home of Asgard? You’re about to find out! 

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Longstanding Marvel movie fans; Chris Hemsworth fans; Jeff Goldblum fans; people who like more accessible superhero movies; people who wish Marvel would make another Incredible Hulk movie


WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People who are hoping for a more serious Marvel movie in line with the Captain America series or with the emotional and comedic depth or say the Guardians of the Galaxy series; those who find the film a bit too comical in parts; those who look forward to the post-credit scenes more than the actual movies itself sometimes; those who feel the Planet Hulk storyline could have been explored better/more deeply


SO IS IT GOOD, BAD OR JUST AWFUL? A film that is does nothing really wrong but fails to yield something revelatory on its protagonist’s latest (mostly) solo mission, Thor: Ragnarok is a like a meal you’ve had before that you throw a new seasoning on and add a new garnish to on the side. In other words, it’s another win for Marvel Studios, even if it feels a bit familiar despite a few new tasty morsels being added to the mix. 


Thor: Ragnarok follows a bit of the Guardians 2 philosophy of (1) a lot of jokes plus (2) an emotional reveal for the lead character and (3) an emotional battle that leaves the hero forever changed. Hemsworth has his part down pat at this part given that it is his fifth go round as the Norse god, as does Hiddleston as Thor’s mischievous brother Loki. Blanchett does her best to make Hela a formidable force even if the crazy-female-family-member thing feels a bit, well, bland after watching it play out in two Guardians adventures (with a bit more teeth to it). Goldblum is a bit of whimsical fun and it’s clear the veteran actor is having fun in his role, which plays well off Ruffalo who portrays Dr. Bruce Banner as an über-nerdy scientist still coming to grips with both himself and his green alter ego to strong comedic effect. 


Don’t get me wrong: Thor has plenty of “lol” moments, there are a couple nice surprises along the way and director Taika Waititi – wonder if he’ll go by Taka Waita Flame if he ever decides to try a music career – brings some strong visuals in behind the camera while adding some great laughs as Korg (imagine if The Thing’s had a grey cousin). But whereas Iron Man‘s films always had some sort of cool reveal and the Captain America movies conveyed a serious sense of danger, Thor: Ragnarok instead feels like it just hits all of the necessary beats without one element that hits a hard solo that you’ll be talking about for years to come. But then again, that’s probably what next year’s Black Panther and Infinity War opus is for.


In the meantime, Thor: Ragnarok will serve to look to serve your superhero fix with a solid-if-not-comfortably familiar adventure to tide you over until 2018.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

McCoy on Movies: Captain America

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Marvel’s first Avenger returns for another spectacular superhero adventure in Civil War

“… And we say, we like Pepsi better than Coke! What?! ‘Dem’s fighting words!” L to R: Black Panther/T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), Vision (Paul Bettany), Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), and War Machine/James Rhodey (Don Cheadle) prepare to square off against their fellow superheroes in a scene from CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. Credit: Film Frame..© Marvel 2016.


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:



 

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Chris Evans, Robert Downey, Jr., Chadwick Boseman, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Martin Freeman, Emily VanCamp, Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie with Frank Grillo, William Hurt, Marisa Tomei, Daniel Brühl and John Kani.

WRITER(S): Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (screenplay); Mark Millar (comic book); Joe Simon and Jack Kirby (characters) 

DIRECTOR(S): Anthony & Joe Russo

WEB SITE: http://marvel.com/captainamericapremiere
60 SECOND PLOT SUMMARY (OR AS CLOSE TO THAT TIME AS ONE CAN MAKE IT): Following up after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War does something most Marvel movies don’t do: Flashing back in time to 1991 to find Joseph Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes in the control of Hydra agents being read a seemingly innocuous series of words that have a very specific purpose: Triggering the “Winter Soldier,” a near-unstoppable one-man killing machine capable of crimes on command.


The Avengers, however, have their own problem in the modern world: The Sokovia Accords, a document that 117 countries have come together to sign in favor of get the team under control given all the collateral damage they have done in New York, Washington, D.C., Sokovia and most recently Lagos in dealing with Brock Rumlow (Frank Grillo), which has earned the ire of King T’Chaka (John Kani), ruler of Wakanda (the African nation where the vibranium comes from. If you don’t know what vibranium is, you’re watching the wrong movie. Anyway …)


Iron Man’s human alter ego Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) knows which side he is on. It’s the same one his best friend James “Rhodey” Rhodes a.k.a Iron Patriot (Don Cheadle), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), the Vision (Paul Bettany) and now Secretary of State Thunderbolt Ross (William Hurt) is on: Putting the Avengers in check and signing off on the document. Unfortunately, Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America (Chris Evans) is not – and neither is Wanda Maximoff a.ka. the Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Sam Wilson a.k.a. the Falcon (Anthony Mackie) nor the now-retired Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner). But despite their objections, the countries are going to sign the document, making it a foregone conclusion that the world’s protectors must play by the rules or be subjected to the law lie anyone else when they wantonly break it. 


Then there’s a bombing in Geneva the day the accords are to be signed, which kills King T’Chaka, much to chagrin of his son T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman). And to make things worse, the Winter Soldier is believed to be the culprit. So now, with the world placing blame on the Avengers for even more trouble, the suspected bomber being Steve Rogers’ former best friend Bucky Barnes who’s been on the run since the events of the last Captain America film. So now, Captain America is trying to protect his friend and fight off the Sokova Accords, while Iron Man is trying to bring Cap in before the government does – and not in a nice fashion. And therein lies a bit of a conflict in terms of how far will someone go for friendship and does the end justify the means when people are dying in the process?


And that would be bad enough … But since no one is quite sure what in the world Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) is up and why, Captain America is going to have his hands full if he is to prevent the world from falling apart. 

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Fans of just about every other Marvel movie; Chris Evans fans; Robert Downey, Jr. fans; Chadwick Boseman fans; people who were worried about how Black Panther and Spider-Man would fit into the mix; people who love Stan Lee’s cameos 

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? Pretty much anyone who still thinks D.C. makes better movies than Marvel and/or anyone who doesn’t like superhero movies 
SO, IS IT GOOD, BAD OR ABSOLUTELY AWFUL? OK, show of hands – How many of you would have picked the Captain America franchise to be the one to turn out three terrific (dare I say classic) superhero films when you heard about Marvel Studios’ plans to make films centered around its core Avengers characters? Exactly. For while Captain America might be the oldest, he certainly was never considered to be the coolest of the bunch in the comic book world. 


Now, not only is Captain America an essential part of the Marvel Universe, he’s possibly its on-screen MVP, with Civil War being another top notch on his belt – or shield, as the case may be. 

Say what you want about superhero movies; there is no way – and if I was to channel my inner Dwayne Johnson, no way! – Civil War would work without the actors behind the characters layering and committing their respective selves to their roles as well as they do in the movie. Fortunately, directors Joe and Anthony Russo and their cast continue their excellent precedent set in The Winter Soldier by ACTING AS IF THEY ARE ADJUSTING TO THE WORLD and NOT AS IF THEY ARE ACTING IN A SUPERHERO MOVIE. If you’ve seen last summer’s disastrous Fantastic Four reboot, you know exactly what I mean. Instead of acting like they are doing something heroic, Evans, Downey, Jr. and company are simply trying to do what each thinks is best to secure the world. Yes, there are moments of cracking jokes and some really dynamic action sequences, but none of it would matter if the characters were not presented in a fashion were you felt their highs, lows and the relationships between them felt as real as possible. Civil War delivers on all those fronts to the point where you are emotionally invested in their individual outcomes, which is enhanced by the storytelling which never drags, features major incomprehensible sequences (looking at YOU, Batman Vs. Superman) and manages to tie up most if not all of its loose ends well. 


Thrown in the grand introduction of a major character seamlessly into the mix and the interpolation of the one that many fans wanted to see in the main Marvel universe and Civil War hits high marks at every turn. Instead of being a typical good-vs-evil story, this is a battle of principles that turns high stakes and adds to the overall Marvel canon. Evans holds the Captain America mantle with ease and aplomb as the moral center while Downey, Jr. serves as the hotheaded-even-though-he’s-calmer-and-less-impulsive perfect adversary (even though both should be concerned with someone else). Meanwhile, Bettany brings the Dr. Manhattan-like (yes, I DID mention a D.C. Comics character in a Marvel review in a positive sense!) nature of the Vision to life better than he did in Age of Ultron and Boseman does a strong job of establishing the man you can now look forward to seeing in two years in his own solo flick. 


While the film is fairly serious in tone, subject matter and its battles, Civil War does feature some great joke exchanges of near Deadpool like quality (but NOT subject manner and language!) Rudd delivers “giant” comic relief as Scott Lang (a.k.a. Ant-Man) and Tom Holland may have found a way to master a role that some may have thought near impossible for another actor to make his own.  To say much more about that would ruin how well things are tied together and excel … And that would be enough to cause a war between myself and anyone who reads this review.


But if you’re still reading this, you likely haven’t figured out you need to just go see the movie, I’m not sure what I can say that will. For Captain America: Civil War is another great Marvel flick – and one worthy of your time and interest … If you’re into that sort of thing.


OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):