Hindsight is 20/20 but this film makes me feel like I need a bath.

Rating: 6/10 (7 May 2019)

Late to the party on this but I believe this might offer some succinct critique in light of the newest phase of Marvel. I do not like Civil War aside from the great fight scene pitting the two factions of the Avengers off against each other. Why? The humor, setting, and endearment of the characters. This film is dark, ugly and leaves me scratching my head at the end wondering if I even like Captain America.... I certainly don't like Bucky, his death would have been more than appropriate and possibly redemptive.
The Steve Rogers character arch is coming dangerously close to crossing the line and strains every bit of credulity I have for the morality of CA's character, which is supposed to be his defining quality. Should Captain America lie to the face of his friends as much and as petty and critically as he does? Would Captain America put even his closest friend above doing the right thing? Is mind control truly a valid excuse to justify all Bucky's horrific actions to have CA stand by him the entire film? He has murdered countless innocents in cold blood. How Steve can see him brutally kill the Stark family and stand by him against Tony's desire to avenge his parents is beyond me. I saw that as betrayal, that hurt to watch. I don't care what Steve and Bucky had before, he certainly isn't the same man before either of them went into the deep freeze. Rogers is supposed to be the moral center of the Avengers, the leader with the most exemplary qualities, without which he 240 pounds of genetically enhanced muscle and a shield, nothing more. Very disappointing. I empathized with Tony Stark 1000% more in this movie than the namesake, he comes out as the superior Avenger in all aspects or at least the ones that count. I like CA or at least I wanted to.
The tone needs more dynamic humor for brevity. Draws too heavily on Bourne series emulation with an utterly forgettable antagonist unworthy of even a SHIELD series subplot. Endgame was appropriately morose and leveled things off with wonderful humor and just beautiful set pieces for the film to revolve around. Spider man and possibly Antman achieved this on some level in Civil War, but not enough! This hit too close to home and I ended this movie feeling like I needed a shower to wash the morbid choices from some of my favorite characters. It's unbelievable to think the Russo brothers made such a grand transition from this to Infinity War, I can't help but to think some key players are drastically understated in it's development.
It's not a terrible movie and the action is well executed minus the final fight which is too dark and almost feels like the characters are duking it out in a sewer, which might be decidedly appropriate. The movie falls flat in most of the key plot points for me. The minor romance subplot feels hamfisted and tacked on, I didn't feel the chemistry or see that her motivations were adequate regardless of the history. It was cool to see a good portion of the Avengers, I like all of them in this and the entry of the Black Panther is cool. Although, I wish they would have done more with him, particularly at the end.
My recommendation: Pass on this movie and just come away understanding Captain and Ironman had a little tiff. Your appreciation for the characters and the integrity of the MCU will be better for it in my humble opinion.