Captain America: Civil War Movie Review

In Captain America: Civil War, conflict happens between enhanced heroes, that battled

each other to save the world. It’s been mentioned within the Marvel Universe about how dangerous heroes are, although their intentions are to protect the world in ways that the government can’t. Throughout the Avengers’ greatest battles, many civilian casualties occurred and were always ignored. Many people lost loved ones due to the damage heroes and villains have savagely caused, until government officials took action to put some type of order in place.

The United Nations came up with a proposal called Sokovia Accords, which calls for the 

regulation of the Avengers so that when they harm civilians, they would be labeled as a criminal, therefore punished. Steve Rogers (Captain America) opposed to the Accords. Rogers believes that the group is accomplishing their main goal by making the world safer despite the costs. He does not believe the group should give up their anarchism for democracy. As Rogers said, “We may not be perfect but the safest hands are still our own.” (Russo, 2016, 0:30:58) He doesn’t even trust the government that undoubtedly made him the man he is.

Tony Starks (Iron Man) on the other hand, believes that the Sokovia Accords is necessary to prevent mass destruction. Tony doesn’t want the Avengers to be at the government’s mercy because if they don’t sign the treaty, they’d have to retire doing what every superhero loves the most, making the world a better place. Tony stated, “If we don’t do this now,  it’s going to be done to us later.” (Russo, 2016, 0:31:00) Tony considered the fact that over a hundred countries had already signed the Accords. Which means, many strong militaries would be against the Avengers if they caused mass destruction, and would result in more dead bodies considering the fact that the Avengers are superhuman. After all, the government was not asking the Avengers to sign, they were telling them.

The ethical conflict the Avengers faces is whether to fulfill government’s policy or if they should act against the government for what they believe. There are many situations as such in the real world today. For example, the right to carry and own firearms. Some states like Michigan, Texas, Oregon, etc., let’s citizens carry concealed firearms, if granted a permit. States like Alabama, Maine, Alaska, etc., on the other hand, allows individuals to carry firearms for lawful purposes without a permit. In a situation where one is using self defense, shouldn’t it always be “lawful” no matter when, where, and why? On the other hand, if that was the case, the United States of America’s crime rate would increase by more than 50%. Then one will have to ask themselves before killing (self defense) with an unregistered firearm, “If I don’t shoot and kill this person, will I be throwing my life away either way it goes. Will I die on spot, or die in a prison cell.”

Captain American: Civil War definitely makes it difficult to make an overall ethical decision. It shows that although a person can have good intentions, but bad things could still happen. It’s hard to look at both perspectives and point out which one is right in some cases but me personally, I believe Captain America is right. In life, sacrifices have to be made but on the other hand, I know that’s always an eye for an eye in this lifetime. No matter what, those who harm, should be punished and without a doubt, public administration will always be ready to make their ethical decision.