I'm gonna spoil the movie, so if you care, it's probably best if you stop reading here because I'm not putting the entire thing in spoiler tags
So, long story short, Civil War is a beautifully made film that's also cowardly and disappointing
The cinematography is great, the sound is excellent, but the movie lacks something very important, an actual message
If the movie is supposed to be about truth and journalism and its importance, that never comes through, instead it feels very much like "The Troops are Brave: Camera Edition"
Because at no point in the film does the actual work journalists do comes up, instead you're treated to scene after scene of our protagonists taking pictures of war and atrocities, but never actually saying anything about it, which seems to be the tack the film itself is taking
That war is bad, but never bothering to explore the how's and why's of the conflict
The most hints we get as to why the president is bad is a mention that he has a third term (gasp) and ordered air strikes on civilians
Which, uh, I suppose is enough for some people, but the vociferousness with which the forces of the aptly named Western Forces pursue and execute the president suggest something far more interesting, which the movie could not even be bothered to even try and explore
To make a film about the United States becoming balkanized without bothering to even offer a smidgen of backstory as to its causes or even into the politics of the sides only serves to make the film a hollow shell
We're left with nothing to the film, and it seems like they're not even bothered by that, which is an absolute shame because they could have at least tried to say something
Instead, they chose very hard to say absolutely nothing, which only makes the apathy all the worse
Yeah, on a technical level, the film was absolutely brilliant. Probably one of the best I've ever seen. But the actual story was so weak, which, given the actual subject matter it covers, is super disappointing. I knew going in it wasn't going to be any good so I went with zero expectations on that front - I'd seen the trailers, the interview with the director, and seen some reviews already.
But if I'd actually gone in expecting an actual message or, you know, substance beyond style, I'd have been super pissed. In the end, I could just enjoy the film and the characters and have a good time. Still, I didn't pay full price and I'd tell others the same - go see it if you want to see great sound design and amazing cinematography, along with some genuinely thrilling scenes. But try and get some discounts - half-price, matinee pricing etc.