Why the Civil War movie is just awful
It's just a let down.
Easily one of the worst movies I've seen in a long time, Civil War is a massive dud, especially for someone who enjoys action and war films. Its forgettable story and characters make for a drab viewing experience, leaving the audience confused about the events.
The Story
The film opens with the U.S. president addressing the Western Forces, including California, Texas, and the seceding Florida alliance. We follow veteran war photographer Lee (Kirstin Dunst) as she documents the war and pursues an interview with the president alongside fellow journalists Joel (Wagner Moura) and Sammy (Stephan McKinley Henderson). Lee also reluctantly mentors aspiring war photographer Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) after helping her during an ensuing riot.
The plot basically devolves into a road trip to Washington, D.C., where journalists face threats and restrictions by the government. As the movie progresses the group encounters various situations that awkwardly showcase the war, with the majority of sequences feeling like a random Spotify playlist added to the movie, detracting from the visually impressive scenes. The chaotic final sequence resembles a GTA lobby, with confusing combat and poorly executed shots that leave you confused as to who is fighting who. I would have preferred more varied perspectives from the soldiers and the crossing into Washington D.C. rather than just following the main characters around in a hale of random explosions and shooting.
The Bad
While the set design and special effects are great, the characters and story presentation falter. The film's ambiguity fails to engage the many questions the audience has, and Jessie comes off as a Mary Sue, making repeated mistakes without consequence nor self reflection which is just plain weird to watch. Her removal would hardly impact the story.
The lack of detail is what really detracts from the movie in my opinion. Key questions remain unanswered: Why did the war start? What actions led to the war? Who are the rebellion leaders and what are their motivations? The film glosses over these issues, leaving viewers with vague references to a civil war while neglecting a journalistic perspective that could invite its viewers to understand more of the story. It portrays the media in a self-righteous manner, focusing more on the journalists' thoughts than the war itself. This concept had potential, but the execution fails to deliver what could be a powerful message.
Final Thoughts
Civil war is basically just a roadtrip melodrama where war stuff happens and nothing more. I wouldn't recommend watching it as I just think your time could be better spent on something else. The combat scenes and the set design are probably the best thing about the movie.
