A review of Civil War | 2024 | Movie
Written and directed by Alex Garland | Produced by A24, IPRVC, DNA Films
"Civil War" wasn't originally on my radar. I doubted it could handle USA's politically charged environment with any subtlety or depth. I expected it to be a heavy-handed, preachy film that would leave no room for interpretation. Normally, I don't mind obvious political messages in movies, but when it comes to my first love, film, it can be as grating as nails on a chalkboard. However, after seeing several reviews praising its smart writing and trust in the audience, I became interested.
Set in a dystopian America ravaged by a second civil war, the film follows a group of journalists traveling to Washington, DC, hoping to secure an interview with the president.
Originality: 8/10
The film surprised me with its creative choices. While I expected a serious and dark tone, it also included moments of joy and levity. Initially, the lightheartedness felt out of place in more serious scenes, but as the story progressed, I appreciated the unique tone the filmmakers aimed to create. The film's originality can be attributed to Alex Garland's vision, as auteur projects often avoid the pitfalls of groupthink.
Story: 8/10
The film centers on Jessie, a young photojournalist, and a team of seasoned journalists led by Lee, a famous but jaded photojournalist. The dynamic between the young and experienced journalists adds depth to the story, emphasizing the importance of objectivity in their profession. The film balances the war narrative with personal stories, developing characters in a subtle, non-sentimental way.
Writing: 8/10
Garland, known for "Ex Machina" and "28 Days Later," tackles the challenging task of telling a civil war story to a politically divided audience. He skillfully balances political themes while developing a compelling human story. Unlike films about real wars, Garland creates the context of a fictional civil war and fleshes out his characters without relying on historical familiarity.
Characters: 8/10
Garland's decision to focus on a small cast of four main characters allows for deeper character development. This approach avoids the common pitfall of shallow, cookie-cutter characters or excessive backstory. As a screenwriter, I admired how Garland conveyed character depth through short, often non-verbal scenes.
Performances: 8/10
The performances by Stephen McKinley Henderson (Sammy) and Wagner Moura (Joel) were particularly enjoyable, with Moura's portrayal of Joel being nuanced and believable. Jesse Plemons brought his usual gravitas to his role. Initially, I was unsure about Kirsten Dunst's performance as Lee, but I realized her apparent tiredness reflected her character's jadedness. Cailee Spaeny (Jessie) also impressed me, warming up as the film progressed.
Visual Storytelling: 8/10
Garland, along with cinematographer Rob Hardy, effectively balanced intense action with quieter, human moments. The use of photojournalism allowed for brief pauses amidst the chaos, enhancing the impact of the battle scenes.
Production: 9/10
The film's production convincingly created a believable world despite some noticeable budget constraints. Overall, the resources were used effectively to enhance the film's authenticity.
Soul: 9/10
Garland's control over the project's creative direction is evident. The film remains politically neutral, allowing viewers to interpret the story without overt messages. This neutrality is one of the film's strengths, raising the question of whether a civil war movie should take sides or focus on humanity.
Music and Sound: 8/10
The film's moments of levity, primarily through music choices, sometimes felt at odds with the action. However, I saw this as an attempt to reflect the cognitive dissonance Americans might experience during a war. The sound in the theater was excessively loud, which was likely an issue with the theater rather than the film's sound mix.
Immersion: 9/10
As someone who has watched many films, it's rare for me to be fully immersed. Despite my initial expectations and analytical mindset, I found myself captivated by "Civil War." This level of immersion is a rare and commendable achievement.
Overall Rating: 83/100
Sometimes a film impacts me so deeply that it leaves me speechless. After watching this movie, I stayed in my seat until the credits ended and the lights came up. I left the theater in silence, wanting to fully absorb the experience. It's been a long time since a film has made me feel this way, usually reserved for movies I rate 90 or above. My low expectations might have influenced my reaction.
One of the key takeaways from "Civil War" is a sense of human empowerment and admiration for our civilization's achievements. Instead of engaging in a real civil war, we're making movies about it, as if testing our appetite for the real thing. Ultimately, I believe most people would prefer the movie over the reality. "Civil War" more than suffices.
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