“The first A24 foray to blockbuster movie”

Dir: Alex Garland
Prod: Gregory Goodman, Andrew Macdonald, Danny Cohen
Writ: Alex Garland
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Nick Offerman, Jesse Plemons

Civil War is a modern warfare movie told from the perspective of a journalist, which makes it unique. We rarely see a movie set in a fictional modern war from this point of view. Most films in this genre tend to follow a “Die Hard,” James Bond, or Jason Bourne type of narrative. That’s one of the reasons Civil War stands out compared to other modern war movies.

The plot is relatively straightforward: set in the near future, the U.S. president, having served more than two terms, lets the FBI dictate his actions. This leads to a massive civil war between states, the destruction of the economy, and the U.S. dollar losing its power as the world’s reserve currency. A journalist follows the military as they plot a coup against the president, traveling from New York to Washington D.C. to secure the president’s final words.

What makes this film unique is its balance between high-action sequences, reminiscent of Call of Duty, and the arthouse sensibilities typical of A24. This is the first time A24 has ventured into blockbuster territory while still maintaining its signature style. The cinematography is stunning some of the most gorgeous shots I’ve ever seen in an action movie. While Everything Everywhere All at Once remained an arthouse film despite its success, Civil War is marketed directly to mainstream audiences who love action films, which is why it’s presented that way.

The action sequences are by far the best I’ve seen this year. The gunfire is loud, the shots are tight and clean there’s no shaky cam, which allows the audience to clearly see every move. It’s everything an action junkie could want. The performances are also great. Kirsten Dunst is fantastic, and it’s nice to see her back in a major movie. Cailee Spaeny and Wagner Moura are both excellent, though Wagner’s character feels a little underdeveloped. Jesse Plemons steals the show, despite only appearing for about 8 minutes his role is unforgettable. The third act is a 40-minute action extravaganza, and I absolutely loved it. It reminded me of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, when the Russians attack Washington. Seeing that recreated on the big screen was a thrill.

As for the flaws, the CGI is quite noticeable in some scenes. Additionally, if you’re expecting a deep political exploration of how the civil war breaks out, you won’t get that. The story is already in the midst of the civil war, and you follow the journalist’s point of view, not the military’s. There are a few scenes that focus on the military, and they can drag a bit.

This movie is simple, but if you approach it with the right mindset thinking, “I want to watch a Call of Duty movie from a journalist’s perspective” you’ll love it. If you’re hoping for a full-fledged political action war film, you may be disappointed.

My Rating: A-