Civil War Review

April 13, 2024 at 4:43pm
By Jason Stettner

This is a road trip film centered around a group of journalists, or well specifically some war photographers that are attempting to get the money shot in an American civil war. It’s set in the modern era and showcases a series of rather shock value pumping events before bringing itself towards a rather gripping lengthy spectacle conclusion that is filled to the brim with action.

It’s a tense film, and one that doesn’t really let you in on what’s actually going on. It could have really used a brief exposition dump at the start through say newspaper clippings that let you know what’s happening at the least. You get little teases to the greater situation at hand but it’s somewhat hard to get a full grasp on the overall situation.

To some degree I understand the tactic here since it’s solely focused on the perspective of our lead photographers, but it’s hard to care for the characters or get behind anyone as you’re just getting small glimpses of chaos. The core of this story is centered around Lee (Kirsten Dunset) who gives a great performance here as she deals with the deadly situation that’s grown within the United States.

She’s paired with Joel (Wagner Moura) who loves the thrill and aside from being after a quote keeps the team centered. There’s also the telegraphing the whole story early on Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) who throws herself into the situation and is trying to learn from Lee. It’s an interesting dynamic and one that causes the entire story to be predictable like fifteen minutes in which was somewhat disappointing.

The presentation here feels grand in scale while still being very intimate. As mentioned it’s a road trip where you get glimpses into the chaos that’s been building. There are teases of larger battles and some decently impressive conflict towards the ending.

It really is more about the smaller moments that someone capturing this event would see. Small conflicts, citizens breaking down and the tragedy of what this battle would do to people. It’s strangely realistic from a stand point of how folks might act.

At the same time we don’t get to understand the greater setting or why things are going on only getting off hand phrases here or there. It’s well shot though, feels gritty and also provides good levels of tension. The performances here are impactful, and match the situations that are ongoing.

The Conclusion

Civil War is a tense, gripping look at the efforts of war photographers as they throw themselves into conflict in order to show the world a situation. The film is being showcased as slightly more epic than the scope of the movie is actually providing. It’s maybe better for it, though I can see some being confused by what this has to offer.

I enjoyed the ride, the journey across this twisted United States was intriguing and decently realistic. I did however feel like something was missing by the time the credits role. Being left wanting more, or a better understanding of the overall situation. I got the just of what had happened but I still didn’t feel fully attached to the characters I had been following.

I was more shocked by the tension and surprise moments. I just wish that I felt that when things ultimately concluded, I think that’s because it was just too predictable from an early point and never shifted from the initial concept you’re given. It’s a neat, grim look at a modern United States civil war and that should be unique enough to capture some interest.

Civil War Review at Theather with Standard Viewing
Screening Provided by Elevation Pictures

Rating Overall: 7.5