CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR SPOILER/DISCUSSION THREAD

78,259 Views | 633 Replies | Last: 8 yr ago by AliasMan02
Brian Earl Spilner
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Kind of disappointing to be honest. I really liked the first and last acts, but the middle of the movie is fairly weak, imo. Too chaotic, too many characters, just too much going on in general. And all the jumping around to different countries didn't help, it was hard to keep track of where everyone was.

Now, the airport fight. I was most looking forward to this, and it just didn't deliver for me. The stakes never felt high to me, and the fight just felt like it could've and should've been avoided if Cap explained what they needed to go do. But aside from that, WAY too many characters. Way too hard to follow the action, to the point where most of it was not very memorable. The best moments were comedic, for me. (Especially Spidey's reaction to Ant-Man.)

Spidey - Liked the character, liked the new actor, but the character felt shoehorned in and was totally unnecessary to the story. What did he add? Why would Stark even think of flying halfway across the world to bring in some inexperienced teenager? Just didn't buy it at all.

Black Panther - Fantastic. Loved the character, loved the actor, loved the suit.

Overall, it was good, not great. Once the movie became about Stark trying to get revenge for his parent's death, THEN the stakes felt real and there was real emotion to the fight. Loved the whole last act for that reason. But you could probably lose a few characters (Spidey, Ant Man) and you'd have a better movie. I'd sacrifice comedy for a better, tighter story. The themes of revenge and forgiveness were the real heart of the story.
GiveEmHellBill
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Wow. Just wow.

The one bad thing about this: it's effect for me on Batman v Superman. I saw BvS with low expectations and I didn't think it was terrible. There was some good things in it.

After this: BvS is absolute dogsh*t to me now. I seriously doubt that I will ever watch that movie a second time because Civil War did some of the same things BvS tried to do and excelled at it while BvS failed spectacularly.

I cannot wait to see more of Wakanda and especially more of "hot Aunt May."
TajMaballer
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So damn good. I will see it at least 2 more times! Once in IMAX just for the airport fight scene. That one scene might be the best action scene in any superhero movie. I'm actually glad none of the Avengers died (RIP Peggy and T' Chaka) because I feel like death is overrated. I also love these characters and want to see more of them. It's going to take a lot from the rest of the year to top this one for me.

This might be recency bias, but the Captain America trilogy might be the best trilogy. Can't think of another trilogy that I personally like more.
AliasMan02
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Haven't read the thread yet, but my first thoughts:

Positive:
- Spider-Man absolutely steals the show. Best Peter/Spidey ever.
- Funniest MCU flick? The banter was great. So many great one-liners.
- RDJ's best MCU performance since Iron Man.
- Loved the Incredible Hulk callbacks of Ross and, one that will slip by many, War Machine's sonic cannons.
- Generally ruled on all points.

Negative:
- Shaky-cam was just totally out of control, especially in the opening.
- Ummm...

A lot to take in. Will have to digest a bit.
Bulldog73
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So Cap and Bucky get away from the big fight with the Quin Jet, Panther via his ship... How does a energy deficient broken helmet/suited Iron Man get back?

Am I the only one that thought the bomber picture looked nothing like Bucky? Even after saying it was him, it looked nothing like him in my mind. Clearly, he's not the one that did it, but I figured they'd make it look like him.

Spider tie in was fun, but seemed a bit odd. He did feel a little forced, but I get it's setting up for the future so it didn't bother me.

The suicide attempt by the main bad guy was a bit odd too. I assumed he'd want to see the guys he loathed die.

I know I raised several questions and issues, but I really enjoyed the movie. Stakes seemed high with major tension even with the wise cracks in the big fights. Compelling story overall, and generally well done. I also loved seeing SW's powers and how she could even compete against Vision.
YellowPot_97
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quote:
Negative:
- Shaky-cam was just totally out of control, especially in the opening.
- Ummm...
shaky cam was really bad at the beginning. I took off my 3D glasses at one point to see if that was the problem, it was so bad. those same scenes didn't seem that shaky in TV clips
YellowPot_97
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how did Cap know the truth about Tony's parents?
Sea Pony 07
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I thought it was really good. Made me remember why I adore superhero movies, especially when comparing it to bats vs. supes.
AliasMan02
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quote:
how did Cap know the truth about Tony's parents?


Zola insinuated it. That's the only way I could figure.
boogieman
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That **** was bananas. Can't wait to see it again. So funny I missed dialogue from everybody laughing.

The infinity war movies are in good hands with the Russos.
aarjon
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Tony went full Bruce Wayne at the end!
AliasMan02
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Just occurred to me that we'll likely see Steve as Nomad with a new shield in Bkack Panther and/or Infinity War.
Marsh
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I too thought it was like avengers 2.5 instead of a captain America movie. After captain America 2, I was expecting another thriller. Instead we got a lot of fight scenes and explosions. Not that those scenes were bad, I was just expecting something a little different going into the movie (I don't watch trailers prior to movies like this). Spider-Man definitely felt forced but the comedic relief was worth it.
wangus12
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That's what I was kinda thinking. Curious to see what happens in the BP movie. I thought Chadwick Boseman did an excellent job and look forward to more of him. Paul Rubb and Ant Man have been an excellent addition to the MCU and I'm excited to see where Spiderman goes. Holland was good. For those saying why would Tony go get him. Makes sense to me. Kid is ridiculously strong and can tie people up which makes for effective neutralizing, especially since they are fighting friends.

I'm kinda bummed about the 1st credits scene. I want to see more of Bucky, but with him going into cryo, I feel like we will see less.
wangus12
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Also, I'd love to see the scene where Thor and the Hulk return and ask Tony where half the team is. Can't wait for his explanation.
fig96
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quote:
quote:
Negative:
- Shaky-cam was just totally out of control, especially in the opening.
- Ummm...
shaky cam was really bad at the beginning. I took off my 3D glasses at one point to see if that was the problem, it was so bad. those same scenes didn't seem that shaky in TV clips
Yeah, it did bother me in that sequence, then they seemed to tone it down for the bigger action sequences.

I guess they were going for the intense hand held feel for the crowded city chase, but it was too much.
AGC
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quote:
I was just verifying. I mean, the only thing that kinda bugged me was IM at the end. I get he's upset about his parents, but Bucky killed them YEARS ago while being mind controlled, so it wasn't him, and his only reaction is to want to kill him?


This has more to do with his basic character IMO. IM is driven by emotion (literally powered by his heart, right?). The imagery is all over the place. He sees the picture of a dead boy and he's broken, he hurts, he wants to right the wrong. He doesn't try to reason with cap after cap is arrested, he offers him something with sentimental value (the pens). He wants to know why spider man does what he does before making the sales pitch, he doesn't give him a, 'this is the right thing to do' speech. Ironman operates on emotion and filters all of his decision making through that. He was devastated by Bucky killing his parents (he just didn't know it was him). So Bucky has to die because even if he's brainwashed he can do a lot of damage. And man it feels good to let your emotions of rage take over.

And let's not forget that Tony had his security ripped away as a kid too. His parents died when he was a young adult. These deaths resonate with him. His overarching drive is security. He forms the avengers to protect the world from what it can't see. He supports the accord to protect the world from the avengers. He goes from one thing to the next in search of assurance and protection from the unknown, like a car wreck.

Also note that cap literally breaks Tony's heart to end the fight. Just a bit over the top...

On top of that, who has been Tony's conscience? Pepper. And she's not there, she can't regulate his emotion or bring him back to reason. So he lives in every moment.
jabberwalkie09
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First off..... That was ****ing awesome.

"I retire for five minutes and it all goes to ****." Clint hit the nail on the head.

I liked that the building strain of Cap and Tony's relationship, almost from the get go. Liked how Bucky was shown not only to be the tool that Hydra made him to be, but also feels (apparent) remorse for having killed all those people.

I find it ironic that Tony was fighting to have the Avengers controlled by the Accords, but the fact that Bucky was controlled by Hydra to do their duty work meant jack **** to him. I get that Tony has been ruled by his emotions for pretty much every time we have seen him in the MCU, but it was almost as if Tony stopped thinking that he was so blinded by rage. Rhodes ended up pretty much almost being broken in half because Vision missed and hit him, but hey the guy that was brainwashed to do the dirty work of the organization that had infiltrated SHIELD..... Nope, **** that guy. I get it to an extent, but the rage was misdirected because Bucky wasn't even in control.

Also, loved the sequence when Sharon gave Cap the gear and the nods of approval from Wilson and Bucky. In fact, I'd say that Sharon was used pretty well. I mean I would have liked to see her team up with Rogers, but I doubt that will happen anyways since SHIELD no longer technically exists.

So, at the end of all this where do we stand? Romanov is on the run (I think that was the implication). Sharon Carter is likely on the run having helped Rogers. The Accords are still in place. Rogers and his group are in Wakanda. Tony and Vision are pretty much all that remains of the Avengers, and I guess Parker could be considered to be a part timer. Banner is still AWOL, and likely would have sided with Cap to begin with IMO. Thor is in London last we saw, and probably would have laughed at Ross and the Accords.

I guess what I'm saying is, I came away with the feeling Zemo actually won in the end. The Avengers are fractured. There was no Hydra or external threat like there was in Cap 2 that would kill a massive amount of people. I don't have a problem with how the film ended, but I will be interested to see how they bring the band back together for Infinity War. At this point, I almost wouldn't be surprised if the first IW movie is going to be largely focused on Cap and Tony actually reconciling to bring the teams back together and then the actual Accords being dealt with.

As a side note, I saw this in 3D (went to the 10 PM showing) and the trailer for Doctor Strange in 3D blew me away.
Madmarttigan
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Umm I saw it in 2D and I am not really sure what all the shaky cam complaints are about? Wasn't like a bourne movie or anything to me. Seemed perfectly normal at the beginning.
Bruce Almighty
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I thought it was great and it reminded me of the first Avengers in that it was more entertaining than actually being a great story. The movie was bogged down with too many characters and some (Spider-Man) just seemed forced in there just to have them in there, but it did handle that issue better than Avengers 2. I'm not sure how I would rank it yet because I'll have to see it again, but its probably below Iron Man, Avengers, GotG and Winter Soldier. This does have me very excited for Black Panther.
Macarthur
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I thought it was just okay. Not as good as the others.
GiveEmHellBill
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"Can you move your seat forward?"
"No."

For a split second, I thought "how in the world can T'Challa follow Iron Man in that quinjet-thing without Stark detecting him?"

Then, I remembered he's using Wakandan technology. Technology that's years beyond even Stark's wildest dreams. That last scene in the Wakandan medical lab looked like they were in some futuristic sci-fi movie.
TajMaballer
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"The living are not done with you yet" might be my favorite line. The current Black Panther comic is about to blow up!
wangus12
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quote:
Also, loved the sequence when Sharon gave Cap the gear and the nods of approval from Wilson and Bucky. In fact, I'd say that Sharon was used pretty well. I mean I would have liked to see her team up with Rogers, but I doubt that will happen anyways since SHIELD no longer technically exists.
One of my favorite things about that sequence is the nod of approval from Bucky. Here is a guy who stuck with his buddy before WWII and was always trying to get Rogers dates with girls and set him up. That is definitely the first time he has seen Steve have some success and it shows that he is still at least partially the old Bucky. Plus Emily VanCamp is really attractive. It still shocking how well Marisa Tomei looks for a 51 year old.
jabberwalkie09
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quote:
quote:
Also, loved the sequence when Sharon gave Cap the gear and the nods of approval from Wilson and Bucky. In fact, I'd say that Sharon was used pretty well. I mean I would have liked to see her team up with Rogers, but I doubt that will happen anyways since SHIELD no longer technically exists.
One of my favorite things about that sequence is the nod of approval from Bucky. Here is a guy who stuck with his buddy before WWII and was always trying to get Rogers dates with girls and set him up. That is definitely the first time he has seen Steve have some success and it shows that he is still at least partially the old Bucky. Plus Emily VanCamp is really attractive. It still shocking how well Marisa Tomei looks for a 51 year old.
Yep, I actually halfway expected the movie to tap the brakes slightly and have them not only nodding but also slow clapping in approval as well. While it was enjoyable in TWS, we got a BW and Cap team up over Sharon and Cap. And I would have loved to see more of Emily VanCamp personally, but they seem to be interested in keeping her as a supporting character instead of making her a partner which they likely could have done in this movie. But this movie already had not only a lot of established characters to deal with but also introduce new ones, so supporting character she stayed.

I can't decide who has aged better between, Ming-Na (53) or Tomei. Both are quite attractive for their ages.
wangus12
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quote:
And I would have loved to see more of Emily VanCamp personally....and privately
Any self-respecting male would.

I can see her being like Pepper throughout the Universe. When everyone was talking about Cap possibly dying in the film, I was wondering if they'd go the route of Carter being the one to kill him like in Civil War, albeit in under mind control.
3rdGen2015
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I liked it a lot. Here are some of my quick thoughts:

Like others have said, Spiderman felt a little bit forced but I don't even care. The writing of his Spiderman is the best we've seen on screen IMO and I can't wait for his movie.

Black Panther is a badass and I'm super excited to see more of Wakanda.

The airport scene might be my favorite action scene of any of the MCU movies. I don't care that it didn't feel like a Captain America movie fight, it was entertaining and well done in my eyes. I loved Spiderman and Antman's reactions during the fight. "Have any of you heard of that really old movie, Empire Strikes Back?" Pure greatness.

I was really nervous about the beginning of the movie because of the shaky cam, it was way overdone the first 10 minutes of the movie, but after that it never bothered me again.

Even though this was a long movie, it didn't feel as long as its runtime. I didn't feel like there were any scenes that missed the mark.
scubasteve304
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Here are my too long insane ramblings

I loved it. it's firmly in the top tier of the Marvel movies and I will watch it again in theaters however storytelling wise I don't think it's as much of a masterpiece as Winter Soldier. It has flaws that are outweighed by the sheer fun of it all, but I have a slight fear that there's a little soul lost without Joss for this type of movie.

The Russos are good, Infinity Wars will be fine and Feige will never let them make a bad movie but the Whedon fanboy in me didn't feel the same connection that 5 minutes chopping wood in Ultron did. Overall it's a step or two long and could've been tighter, but it's still miles ahead of BvS and a great ending to Cap trilogy. I think it's a case where the sum is greater than the parts.

Cons:
-Again a lack of consequences. This is hypocritical of me since I was relieved Rhodey wasn't dead but lack of loss and stakes has been criticized and continues here.

-A tad overstuffed especially with the cameos. I think there's a few things they could've converged to help make a tighter movie, but again the whole thing is so fun I could do this all day.

-Glad Cap kissed a girl but a tad too Littlefinger-y for my taste.

-Not really feeling Vision, I don't think his robot trying to understand humanity deal was expressed well. And when he's that overpowered and sentient I feel like he should've decided to sit this one out. Instead he's used as a prison guard and the only reason I can think of for him being Team Stark is he's still got some Jarvis in him.

-Feel free to mock me. Not enough Bromance. It's always been known this was Avengers 2.5 more than a Cap film but I was hoping for some more emotional connection to him and Bucky. I really thought it could've used a "With you til the end of the line" or "Even when I had nothing I had bucky" moment but instead we got remember when we ate hot dogs haha we're so old.

-As expressed before just not the same emotional stakes I was hoping for. Agent 13 giving the You Move speech didn't have resonance. I have no idea when/how Cap knew about the Starks murder but it's another scene where I think the Russos thought there would be emotional weight but wasn't executed well enough to give it to me.

Pros:
-Black Panther was fantastic. Boseman really impressed me. When he went I will not let vengeance consume me at the end I was like YES YES GIMME THE COOGLER SOLO NOW.

-Spidey was a scene stealer and Holland nailed it. Aunt May can get it as well.

-Barton continues to be great support. Renner has got to have the best awesome lines per minutes of screen time in the MCU.

-Just excellent acting all around. Iron Man's arc doesn't work if RDJ doesn't nail it like he always does.

-Motivations were well done and balanced. I was a little worried one of them would be obviously right or Tony would be a **** like the comics but I think they did a great job of setting up why they were gonna fight, which was way way less contrived than BvS (sorry, I know I'm harping). It seems forced at first glance but when you treat Bucky as his brother that he has an unflinching loyalty to protect no matter how foolish or ill advised and Tony is basically emotionally unbalanced Batman it makes sense.

-Airport fight delivered on hype and the Russos are great at action. I saw it in 2D and the shaky cam didn't bother me. If anything I thought they did a great Bourne impression and have a knack for showing the bluntness of every punch.

-Evans' biceps in the helicopter scene must have been CGI. They were ridiculous.

- "Give me back my Rhodey"
wangus12
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quote:
Cons:
-Again a lack of consequences. This is hypocritical of me since I was relieved Rhodey wasn't dead but lack of loss and stakes has been criticized and continues here. Agreed. I certainly don't want our characters to die, but you always felt everyone would come out safe. With Stark Tech, Rhodes will be up & moving in no time.

-A tad overstuffed especially with the cameos. I think there's a few things they could've converged to help make a tighter movie, but again the whole thing is so fun I could do this all day. This doesn't bother me because the cameos are well done. They did bring stuff into the film

-Glad Cap kissed a girl but a tad too Littlefinger-y for my taste. Carter and Rogers have a relationship in the comics so this was expected. I do wish they'd not made her related to Peggy even before the MCU came about. On the plus side, the attraction was there before that knowledge was dropped.

-Not really feeling Vision, I don't think his robot trying to understand humanity deal was expressed well. And when he's that overpowered and sentient I feel like he should've decided to sit this one out. Instead he's used as a prison guard and the only reason I can think of for him being Team Stark is he's still got some Jarvis in him. Agreed. Unfortunately, Vision is so OP'ed that he basically needs to sit everything out or there are definitely no consequences. Thanos will probably destroy him for the stone.

-Feel free to mock me. Not enough Bromance. It's always been known this was Avengers 2.5 more than a Cap film but I was hoping for some more emotional connection to him and Bucky. I really thought it could've used a "With you til the end of the line" or "Even when I had nothing I had bucky" moment but instead we got remember when we ate hot dogs haha we're so old. I definitely wanted more of this fleshed out. What has Bucky learned over the last two years.

-As expressed before just not the same emotional stakes I was hoping for. Agent 13 giving the You Move speech didn't have resonance. I have no idea when/how Cap knew about the Starks murder but it's another scene where I think the Russos thought there would be emotional weight but wasn't executed well enough to give it to me. I realize this would have made the movie even longer or possibly added a 2nd film (which I'd have been ok with) but Cap giving that speech to Spiderman is on of my favorite moments in all comics. I think the Russo's did fine with what they had, but wish that scene would have been the original.

Pros:

-Barton continues to be great support. Renner has got to have the best awesome lines per minutes of screen time in the MCU. Can't help but think back to Ultron when Barton's wife says that the Avengers need him more than they know. And its sad to think that he is on the run now. He basically gives up everything.



scubasteve304
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Great point, I didn't even think about him being a fugitive and unable to see his family cause he felt the need to do the right thing. I really liked that he was the one that went and got Wanda and got her to get off her ass. It was a real nice callback to his When you walk out this door you're an Avenger. Barton has been a great supplemental piece to these movies.
nickstro66
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Just got out of it. Wow. Everything was incredible. Zemo was very well done and could be an amazing villain going forward.
jabberwalkie09
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quote:
Cons:
-Again a lack of consequences. This is hypocritical of me since I was relieved Rhodey wasn't dead but lack of loss and stakes has been criticized and continues here.
While I agree a little, I enjoy how people associate consequences with death as if that is the only consequence for one's actions at times.

Lets talk about how the Accords first came about. Mainly it was because of Ultron and then the events at the start of the movie in Lagos (spelling?). Ultron came as a direct result of Tony thinking that he knew better than pretty much everyone. I think that is pretty obvious starting from IM2 when he testified at the committee hearing that he thought he could do it better that pretty much anyone but had disastrous consequences. Add to that by that point, they were acting under their own authority as since SHIELD technically no longer existed by that time. Lagos was just the straw the broke the camel's back as by that point since they were once again acting on their own.

Even before it was known that Bucky wasn't the one who blew up the summit, Steve acted in accordance with what he knew to be right. And in the end, because of what eventually came to light that Zemo was the one behind the bombing, with the Accords having been signed everything Rogers and his team did has made them outlaws. Clint can't return to his family, Natasha is on the run, Sharon is likely on the run as well, and what is left of the Avengers is left undermanned and shackled to the agreement they made. Bucky is left scarred having to live with the fact that he killed people against his will and still has the memories as well.

Until either the Accords are done away with or Stark and the rest of the Avengers tell Ross and the UN to shove it likely after some disaster occurs that keeps team Stark from acting to help, team Cap are essentially persona non grata every where but Wakanda.

Also, I walked away from the film feeling like Zemo won in accomplishing his goal to make the Avengers fall. I think there is something to be said for that. No one on either of the teams died, but none of them really won either. Kind of how I noted above.
R0GUE
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No offense to anyone, but aren't the consequences:

-the team (which was like a family to Cap) is broken up
-Steve and Cap are no longer friends
-Bucky has to go back into cryo
-Cap's team are all wanted fugitives
-Rhodey is paralyzed has to have cybernetic legs to walk
-Tony is pretty much disgraced in the eyes of Ross

I mean those aren't insignificant things. I've obviously read Civil War and know the fallout from it, and while I halfway expected them to end the movie that way, i feel like this was also a satisfying ending. I think if you'd gone too much darker you'd risk it plunging into BvS grimness.
wangus12
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quote:
Also, I walked away from the film feeling like Zemo won in accomplishing his goal to make the Avengers fall. I think there is something to be said for that. No one on either of the teams died, but none of them really won either. Kind of how I noted above.
I absolutely walked away thinking this. Zemo did win. The only thing that didn't really go his way was killing himself. Did anyone else think that Martin Freeman's character is going to go bad at some point. I got that vibe. I don't read a lot of BP, but I'm pretty sure he is like a sidekick to him or his aide when he is doing king stuff.
nickstro66
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I'm glad Marvel finally created a villain in a movie that had depth besides Loki. The scene in Wakanda at the end was amazing. I can't wait to see more of it.
 
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