REVIEW: CIVIL WAR

4/5

Divided We Fall 

109 Mins. Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jesse Plemons & Nick Offerman. Screenwriter & Director: Alex Garland. In: Theatres.  

Captive America. In April, A24 released their most expensive and second highest grossing movie to date, 'Civil War'. So those, "where's the shield and metal arm" gags have had their day now this movie sees the rising sun. There's nothing civil about this war between civilians and politicians, as director Alex Garland ('Ex Machina', 'Men') asks audiences in Japan to watch this with respect in a promotional video, as only this nation would. America actually may be on the brink of another civil war with the way things are going right now, and even the forthcoming election feels like a dog fight. Garland cut his teeth writing scripts for Danny Boyle ('28 Days Later', 'Sunshine') after Boyle adapted his book 'The Beach' to worldwide acclaim. Since then, he's been scripting up a storm (the adaptations of Kazuo Ishiguro's 'Never Let Me Go' and 'Dredd' graphic novels), and being Academy Award nominated for his 'Machina' screenplay which seriously looked at the rise of machines in our everyday lives. Now, with this script, he shows us another fable that could truly become an Orwellian omen, with the best big brother eye on the future since '1984'. One of the scariest movies ever, on 'Contagion' levels (you remember corona, right?)

Brutal, brilliant and bracing. 'Come And See' the movie inspired by said one (that coincidentally came out in 1985) that refuses to explicitly take a side (although Nick Offerman's President of the United States may just remind you of someone), just like it won't let what's happening right now, in the world as we know it, slide. This caustic, cautionary tale isn't just the biggest picture of Garland's great career. It's also the most important one of this, or recent years. We must heed its message before we can't turn back on this road. 'Civil War' is not what you think. Packed with political punch and crowd pleasing lights, camera and action, yes, but rooted more in the journey and journal of war photographers whose job is to show you, and US, just how bad things can get if war is waged. All of this is captured perfectly on the worn and weathered portrait Dunst gives us of a prolific photographer caged behind the camera, as she has to stay at a shooter's emotional distance from the aggravated action. A battle of blood and bullets that is really taking lives. This is no movie. Cameo captured perfectly by Dunst's real life husband Jesse Plemons in an uncredited role (in the same week he's giving Japan three big acts in 'Kinds Of Kindness' in kind). His racist, ultranationalist militant, in tactical red military issue sunglasses, is truly terrifying.

By Kirsten's side, Wagner Moura is a wonder as a journalist itching to get a quote of POTUS sounding off before he bites. This is the Pablo Escobar of 'Narcos' and 'Elysium' scene-stealer's moment. Just like it is the one of young actress, hot on the heels of Dunst, in more ways than one, Cailee Spaeny. Similar to Mia Kirshner's Laurie in 'Mad City'. Cailee has played 'Priscilla' Presley (in 'Lost In Translation' director Sofia Coppolla's answer to 'Elvis') and a Ripley like heroine in 'Alien: Romulus'. All in this calendar. If Glen Powell is the leading man of the year, then she is the woman. But nothing is quite like this, as she goes from being green with sickness and inexperience, to being as desensitized as sadly we all are these days. So much so, we can barely remember when, or the fact that, we weren't. Elsewhere, Juilliard's own veteran legend Stephen McKinley Henderson continues his late career surge ('Lincoln', 'Fences', 'Manchester By The Sea', 'Lady Bird', 'Dune', 'Beau Is Afraid') with a truly affecting performance. Whilst Tokyo born, British actress and frequent flying collaborator Sonoya Mizuno ('Maniac', 'House Of The Dragon') reunites with Garland after 'Devs' and being part of the best dance ever with Oscar Isaac. 

I love America. Always have, always will. But it's in trouble. From New York City to Washington, DC, engulfed in dystopia, this movie has its hold on everybody. All the way to the blistering blitz of a third act that goes out with the boldest bang. The "Western Forces' of Texas and California. The harrowing and haunting reminder of Charlottesville. And just wait until you see the real price of gas these days. Promotional posters of A24 and Alex Garland's 'Civil War' see the Statue of Liberty surrounded by helicopters, with snipers in her crown, acting as turrets. Garnering criticism, in some states, for the use of artificial intelligence to form these photos. But, just like the title sequence of Marvel's criminally underrated 'Secret Invasion', this film's message, in all ways, is just showing you how the world works these days...unless we change. All for the hope of a better way and day. When, right now, the USA is not in a united state. These are signs of the apocalypse, that we can cancel right now. Let's not make this a documentary. War can be over...before it even begins (if you want it). Imagine. United we stand. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Apocalypse Now', 'Children Of Men', NOT 'Captain America: Civil War'...with all due respect, Cap.