BY JACK RANSOM MARCH 20, 2024
Despite the trailer making having me a little concerned that this might be A24’s The Purge, I had faith that Alex Garland would deliver (Ex Machina is begging for a re-watch and I was a big fan of both Annihilation and Men). Deliver he certainly does, as this might be my favourite of his directorial efforts so far. Civil War is a biting, intense, gritty and visceral action thriller crossed with a character building road trip structure.
SYNOPSIS
Civil War tells a journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists (Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson & Cailee Spaeny) as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.
REVIEW
Not to start what is most certainly a positive review with a negative, but the only real issue I had with Civil War narratively was the lack of context surrounding the overarching titular conflict. We hear and see snippets of details, but really the film is far more focused with its characters. Which is welcome, as our lead four are an engaging variety of a group to travel with.
The film oftentimes treads the line between incredibly dark and bitingly humorous. Most notably an execution sequence that slams straight into a groovy funk, hip-hop tune and a laugh out loud encounter with a sniper duo in the middle of a face off, that also manages to be knuckle whiningly tense. Tension is consistently high, with the gritty grounded combat situations, merciless executions of the public and the frequent discomfort of the journalists covering it all oftentimes, without a flinch by repressing the horrors.
I would honestly highly recommend catching Civil War on an IMAX screen for the sound design alone. The cracks of gunfire, mid-combat shouting and thunderous explosions are absolutely deafening (in a good way) and Garland’s cinematography for the frequently vast, decimated, fiery and harsh concrete landscapes looks huge on the big screen. There is also some suitably grisly practical effect work and very well implemented CGI.
The cast of characters are excellent. Kirsten Dunst’s hard edged, dedicated, laser focused, stony yet caring Lee, Wagner Moura’s upbeat, adrenaline junkie, Cailee Spaeny’s reckless, courageous rookie, and Stephen McKinley Henderson’s veteran, wise and ailing reporter all gel together very effectively and have strong chemistry. Jesse Plemons and Nick Offerman both leave an impression in their minor roles.
Civil War is a well paced, smart, thrilling and unique take on a familiar structure and tone. The cast are excellent, the character moments standout and the technical aspects are superb. A lack of focus and ‘depth’ to the war of the title is noticeable, however Garland certainly delivered when it comes to the writing of the central characters.
STAR RATING
