On a par with the best MCU films

Rating: Null/10 (29 October 2016)

Yeah, the CGI and battle scenes are amazing but what draws me to CACW is the characters and the drama/pathos/comedy of their interactions.
(Not sure if these would be considered "spoilers" per se so just to be safe I'm checking the little box)
The bond between Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes is heartfelt - I really feel that Bucky is the closest to Steve in being innately a good and decent and honest person. Unfortunately he fell into the wrong hands with Hydra messing up his brain, but as much as the bad guys tried to turn his mind into scrambled eggs, Steve is able to reach that innate goodness that still resides in Bucky's soul. My favorite scenes in this film are the quiet ones with the two of them, for example near the end of the film when the two of them reminisce about spending their train fare on hot dogs at Coney Island and trying to win a prize for a girl named Dot. Bucky: She must be a hundred years old now. Steve: So are we pal, so are we.
We find out in this film that even while under Hydra's influence, Bucky was aware of what he was doing, and tortured by the memories of his transgressions although he had no control over his actions.
The Black Panther, while originally driven by vengeance, is not blinded by his anger as he eventually sees the bond between the two while simultaneously learning the truth about how his father died. His protection of Bucky at the end of the film was a satisfying conclusion.
Tony Stark has suffered loss and old wounds that never quite healed are ripped open anew. He's lost Pepper, Rhodey is badly injured, and he finds out that Bucky is responsible for his parents' demise. It's the fact that Tony is so damaged emotionally that makes him such a compelling character. Will he ever be able to forgive Bucky?
I'm hoping there is a redemption arc planned in future films.
Loving seeing the relationship between Vision and Wanda develop. She's lost her family and brother, and Vision is learning how to deal with never-experienced emotions.
Of course I loved Spider-Man and his naivety ("You have a metal arm?!? AWESOME!"), Paul Rudd's Ant-Man was delightful, and the byplay between Bucky and the Falcon (who is apparently jealous of Bucky's bond with Steve) had its moments.
All in all, a worthy addition to the MCU.