Was Captain America: Civil War Badly Written?

While some critics argue that Captain America: Civil War has a large cast and multiple storylines which might lead to uneven character arcs and pacing issues, it is often lauded as one of the crowning jewels of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Despite this widespread acclaim, there are several aspects that suggest the film was indeed poorly written. This article will explore these issues and provide a nuanced analysis of the film's shortcomings.

Unrealistic Plot Development

The Infeasibility of Zemo's Plan
One of the central plot points of the film revolves around Baron Zemo's elaborate plan to take down the Avengers. However, the execution of this plan is riddled with holes. For Zemo's plan to succeed, he would have had to 100% predict the actions and behavior of every person involved, which is an impossibility in the real world. This lack of plausible continuity detracts from the film's overall quality.

Negative Elements in the Accords

The Accords as a Tissue
The Accords, a crucial element of the film's plot, are often treated as a mere prop rather than a binding international agreement. The audience is never informed of the contents of the Accords, making it impossible for them to form an opinion or take a stance on the matter. Additionally, the process of crafting the Accords and its implementation is implausible, as it would require extensive negotiations and transparency. The fact that the entire world created this agreement in secret and did not inform the Avengers seems far-fetched and undermines the seriousness of the issue.

Ignoring Previous Establishments

Consistency Across the MCU
Many criticized the development of Captain America's character arc in Civil War, arguing that it completely ignored what was established in previous MCU films. For instance, it was never made clear in The Winter Soldier (2014) that Bucky Barnes was responsible for the deaths of the Starks. Instead, Civil War revealed this information through a decoded file from SHIELD, which should have been a known fact by that time. Similarly, Tony Stark's actions in The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) indicate that he would have had access to the decrypted files of HYDRA/SHIELD, making it unlikely he would have been unaware of Bucky's role.

Character Motivations and Development

Inconsistent Character Motivations The film struggles to provide clear motivations for most of its characters, especially during the airport fight scene. Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Tony Stark (Iron Man) are the only characters with defined motivations, while the rest of the cast seems to act based on vague or unresolved reasons. This inconsistency in character development further exacerbates the film's shortcomings.

Teleportation and Plot Holes

Instant Teleportation and Plot Wonders Another notable aspect of the film is the unexplained teleportation skills of Bucky Barnes. His ability to teleport from Bucharest to East Germany without any explanation adds a layer of plausibility to an already convoluted plot. This kind of plot hole can be jarring for audience members, as it breaks the fourth wall and forces them to suspend their disbelief far too much.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Captain America: Civil War suffers from a multitude of writing issues, including plot inconsistencies, implausible development, and lack of character depth. While the film has its moments, its flaws cannot be ignored. Fans may find solace in the overall enjoyment of the cinematic experience, but a critical eye reveals that it falls short of delivering a well-written and consistent plot.

Key Takeaways:
- Zemo's plan is overly complex and implausible.
- The Accords are mishandled and lack transparency.
- Character consistency and motivations are inconsistent.
- Various plot holes detract from the overall quality of the film.