Civil War: Which Side Are You On?

Civil War: Which Side Are You On?
By Zyana Hault

If you haven’t heard of Civil War so far, I must ask, are you Patrick Star? Subtly implying that you live under a rock, teehee. Civil War is all the rage these days. The Marvel Cinematic Universe really brought their game with this movie. The third installment in the Captain America series, as well as the thirteenth installment in the MCU, Captain America: Civil War is already hailed as the biggest blockbuster of 2016. Running in at 2 hours and 26 minutes, it is also the longest Marvel movie made as of yet.

The movie finds Steve Rogers (AKA Captain America) leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.

The battle between Captain America and Iron Man draws a political line in the sand. On one side, you have Tony Stark (Iron Man), a man looking to protect the world from super-powered individuals who’ve proven in the past to be more destructive than helpful. On the other, you have Steve Rogers championing civil liberties. It’s the age old debate of safety coming at the cost of freedom.

So, besides the whole Marvel vs DC thing, we have another division – INSIDE Marvel this time. But the question is: which side are YOU on? Let’s get into the nitty gritty of each side and THEN make some choices, okay?

Team Stark

Anthony Edward Stark, called Tony by most, is a self-proclaimed eccentric genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist. He is also an armored superhero known as Iron Man. In Civil War, Iron Man’s team (henceforth to be referred to as Team Stark) is basically Pro-Sokovia Accords (or the Superhero Registration Act, if you refer to the comics), an Act by the United Nations that demands that all superheroes show transparency in identity and hand over their anatomy to the Government.

Supporting Stark are the ranks of War Machine, Black Widow, Black Panther, Vision and Spider Man. Tony’s decision to support the Accords would be surprising for most people who haven’t followed the timeline of the MCU through and through, given that he comes off as an egotistic individualist, but the events of the previous movies have had a huge effect on him, so much so that he’s willing to be supervised by the government.

After the amount of damage that HAS been caused by super-powered individuals, it makes sense that there would be an outcry regarding how such individuals need oversight. Stark, because of his guilt (regarding the previous movies) understands the plight of the people, and hence supports the Act. He has had enough chaos to last a lifetime. The great thing about this movie is that it explores the internal struggles and motivations of the characters, so you can’t help but understand both sides.

Accountability and transparency would help regulate the damage, destruction and unnecessary loss of lives. I mean, you need a license to drive so it could apply to this, too. For the most part, it’s guilt driving Stark’s decision. Yet, you can still connect to it and that is what makes the movie so wonderful.

Team Rogers

Captain Steven “Steve” Grant Rogers is a Super Soldier World War II veteran and was the world’s first superhero. After a top secretSuper-Soldier program transformed the frail Steve Rogers into the powerful and heroicCaptain America, his amazing World War II exploits made him a living legend. Rogers attacked multiple HYDRA quarters with hisHowling Commandos, to the dismay of the Red Skull. Rogers helped the Allies win the war, but crashed into the Arctic during his final mission. Awakening in the modern day, Rogers learned that he had spent 67 years trapped in the glacial ice.

Steve Rogers found himself alone in a modern world that he hardly recognized. When Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency S.H.I.E.L.D., called on Rogers to help save the world again, he quickly suited up as Captain America, taking his iconic shield and bringing his strength, leadership, and no-nonsense attitude to the Avengers in the Chitauri Invasion.

Cap’s team consists of his friend Bucky (The Winter Soldier), Scarlet Witch, Falcon, Hawkeye and Ant Man. Team Rogers is against the Accords act. Rogers is a man who puts his faith in people, and not institutions, as he understands very well how organizations can be corrupted. He also wants to save his friend Bucky from being scapegoated. So, it is mostly about friendship and loyalty – which is portrayed beautifully in this film, by the way. Other heroes are supporting him because transparency may come at a risk to their own identities and hence, the safety of their families.

Cap only trusts those closest to him and not a group that could very well abuse the power they want over him and his friends. Also, you have to note that the very nature of the types of threats that the Avengers deal with call for immediate and decisive action – which is almost impossible by the very nature of how governing, political, or legal bodies operate with all of their bureaucracy.

I can’t say this enough, but this movie deals with all the characters’ motivations so masterfully that you can’t help but empathize with both parties. Still, we’d like to know YOUR opinion.

Which side are YOU on? Let us know in the comments below.