Is ‘Civil War 2024’ a Must-See?
From filmmaker Alex Garland comes a journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.
It’s too simplistic to call Civil War a polemic or a cautionary tale – instead, it’s a smorgasbord of food for thought. Its urgent and incisive visual and thematic construction generates a bracing immediacy. The film embodies Lee’s traumatized numbness to a degree. Garland knows how to build suspense, depicting astonishing violence with the most impactful element being its social and political commentary.
Moreover, Civil War is at times intense and serves as a horrifying warning of what could possibly happen in the future. Without being overly preachy or taking sides, it’s a gripping close-up look at the violent uncertainty of life in a nation in crisis. Interestingly, the plot doesn’t matter at all; it merely serves as a backdrop of events to explore the worst of human selfishness.
The Unconventional Narrative of ‘Civil War’: How Journalists Shape the Story
Civil War is a beautifully grotesque war movie that reframes the political and violent implications of its storytelling toward journalists. In Alex Garland’s latest A24 blockbuster, he set out to make a film where ‘journalists are the heroes.’ The way he portrays that sentiment is deeply convincing. The pitfalls and power of journalism are proudly displayed for discussion — if not avid debate.
In Civil War, we follow a group of journalists as they cross war zones and face political unrest. Each press member is fighting for an ambiguously defined democracy amid our country’s polarization. The first thing you’re taught in any journalism class is that to be a journalist is to be unbiased. You may never take a side; you must report on both. The perfect journalist is one who can do their job without the barriers of bias or beliefs that would prevent them from writing an article that upholds American democracy.
The film, simply put, is brutal. Not only is it filled to the brim with graphic depictions of war and all the death that accompanies it, but the themes of trauma that stem from that storytelling craft an incredibly heavy narrative. Beyond its chilling performances and stomach-curdling violence, it is a story about the journalism industry and its place in the nation’s political polarization.
Kirsten Dunst plays Lee, a renowned war photojournalist from Colorado. Her character is the youngest member of the Magnum Photos cooperative, with her first name being a nod to famed World War II photojournalist Lee Miller. The film features war journalists on a suicide mission to reach Washington, DC, to interview the President, and it reframes the political and violent implications of storytelling toward journalists.
However, the film portrays journalists as observers and nomads, leading to criticism that they feel less invested in what they’re witnessing as the movie progresses. Critics have noted the lack of a political point of view, with the journalists clearly siding with the Western Forces, understanding that government forces kill journalists on sight and wishing for their suffering.
Moreover, the portrayal of war journalists in Civil War is described as simultaneously accurate yet caricatured. It highlights their trauma and the complexity of their roles. The movie has been characterized as a fascinating examination of journalists as chroniclers of history, showcasing their experiences during conflict.
Exploring the Sound Design and Cinematography of ‘Civil War’
The film excels in extended sequences that showcase the state of the country in different ways. Additionally, it highlights how war journalists put their bodies on the line to report. From a filmmaking craft standpoint, it is a pretty terrific effort with strong cinematography, sound design, and memorable imagery. Notable performances elevate the film significantly. Kirsten Dunst delivers a quietly powerful performance, and Cailee Spaeny shines in a coming-of-age type role.
Moreover, there is a thought-provoking sniper battle that reflects the futility of war between individuals. This sequence exemplifies how ideology loses meaning on the battlefield. Another standout moment is the much-discussed scene featuring Jesse Plemons as a deeply racist militant. He threatens the lives of our main characters, and his sequence is one of the tensest scenes of the year. Frankly, Jesse Plemons almost steals the entire film away from the core cast with his chilling and seemingly effortless intensity.
Furthermore, the sound design in ‘Civil War’ uses its surround sound space as a vital part of its storytelling. It creates a truly immersive experience, illustrating what a civil war in America could feel like. The chaotic violence is captured with piercingly loud sound design, which is terrifying. Almost no minute of the film is without intense audio that enhances the immersion.
In terms of cinematography, the film’s visual impact is enhanced by the use of the Dji Ronin 4D for filming. This choice significantly contributes to the film’s powerful audio elements and overall aesthetic.
What Critics are Saying: Ratings from Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic
Metascore Ratings:
- Generally Favorable Based on 64 Critic Reviews
- Score: 75
- Positive: 49 Reviews (77%)
- Mixed: 14 Reviews (22%)
- Negative: 1 Review (2%)
User Score:
- Generally Favorable Based on 515 User Ratings
- Score: 6.25
- Positive: 306 Ratings (59%)
- Mixed: 103 Ratings (20%)
- Negative: 106 Ratings (21%)
Critics Overview:
- Forget such questions of whether ‘Civil War’ is good or bad, fresh or rotten, and any other gradation scale that comes to mind. This film is mandatory. It enflames our discomfort by bringing the conflict to our own backyard.
- With horrific wars raging in other parts of the world, and with politically charged violence part of the fabric of this country, “Civil War” will hit home no matter where you live. It is a film about journalistic ethics and, in its own way, the interpretation of images is grounded in [Dunst’s] outstanding performance.
- The movie has a 93% rating on the Tomatometer based on 54 critic reviews that the aggregator site has tallied. This currently means Civil War is Alex Garland’s highest-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes, edging out Ex Machina’s 92%. Metacritic score is 77 with 56 critic reviews.
- Critics Consensus: Tough and unsettling by design, Civil War is a gripping close-up look at the violent uncertainty of life in a nation in crisis. Civil War is filled with the terrible mayhem of war brought home to the United States, brilliantly conceived, shooting a barrage of ideas straight towards your brain and assaulting your senses with sound and furious urgency.
- Following the premiere of Civil War at the SXSW Film Festival, initial reviews are praising the beauty and intensity of the dystopian drama while also noting its potential for critical discourse.
Where to Watch ‘Civil War’: Streaming Options and Theatrical Releases
As of May 24, Civil War is available to stream on video-on-demand sites:
- Amazon Prime Video
- Apple TV
- Fandango At Home
You can purchase Civil War for $24.99 or rent the movie for $19.99. Rentals include 30 days to start watching, and 48 hours to finish once started.
Additionally, currently, it’s possible to watch Civil War streaming on:
- Max
- Max Amazon Channel
Moreover, it can be bought on:
- Amazon Video
- Apple TV
- Fandango At Home
- Microsoft Store
You can also rent it on:
- Spectrum On Demand
- Microsoft Store
- Apple TV
- Fandango At Home
- FlixFling
Looking ahead, Civil War released in cinemas on April 26, 2024. Furthermore, it is available to stream on Max starting on September 13, 2024. This is due to a deal signed by the film’s production company, A24, with Warner Bros. Discovery in December 2023 to bring its theatrical films to the streaming site this year.
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