Premiering last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the first trailer for Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War sets the stage for the fight of the century – Friend versus Friend. Avenger versus Avenger. Rogers versus Stark.
In 2008, Tony Stark was introduced to the world in Iron Man as a selfish, anti-authoritarian, massively independent rich man with a real hard-on for angering governments. In 2011, Steve Rogers was introduced as the defender of democracy and consummate solider of the American system in Captain America: The First Avenger.
Now, seven years after the dawn of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both of these characters have taken different lessons from the same world shaking events. Stark has seen his independence and arrogance almost be the downfall of the world twice in Iron Man 3 and The Avengers: Age of Ultron, and it has rattled him. Rogers has seen the government and agencies he swore to defend fail him in The Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Stark now believes in oversight. Rogers now believes in himself. Neither are very keen on backing down – they are, after all, Avengers.
And so we have Captain America: Civil War. And if I may say….holy sh*t.
From the opening moments with Captain America, Hawkeye, and Bucky (Winter Soldier) piecing together an attack Bucky has been framed for to the closing moments showing Captain America beating down his friend Iron Man, this trailer is wall-to-wall perfect. Not a single note doesn’t land. The reveal of Black Panther in live action sings. The introduction to the Sokovia Accords is brief and brilliantly executed. Falcon’s spinning jet kick is the coolest thing ever. And the final conversation?
Rogers: “I’m sorry, Tony. You know I wouldn’t do this if I had any other choice, but he’s my friend.”
Stark: “So was I.”
This is no minor confrontation of egos. This is not the turning of a hero into a villain. This is not a masculinity measuring contest. This is a war between friends. Brothers in arms. Heroes. People who care for each other, and the audience cares about each of them. This is not the prologue to something else. This is the ending of the friendship that saved the world.
And keep in mind – we haven’t even seen Spider-Man yet.
Captain America: Civil War releases on May 6, 2015. Pick a side.
