Civil War (2024)

Film review

Release date	12 April 2024
Director	Alex Garland
Running Time	1hr 49mins
Cast	Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Hendersonuin
Man5hit Rating

Alex Garland’s “Civil War” gives audiences a vision of a near-future America where things have gone seriously downhill. We see a country fractured by civil strife and torn apart by internal conflict. As current affairs around the world aren’t giving us much reason to celebrate the future, let’s hope the events in “Civil War” remain just on screens. Regardless, Garland’s execution through the story does give us a worryingly realistic view of how our future may unfold. But let’s not panic!

Garland has had a knack for storytelling in his previous films, and he hasn’t let us down here. Through a clever plot, we see a story unfolding around a group of photojournalists covering the escalating trouble as war breaks out. The story unfolds, showing how the journalists cope under pressure and make difficult choices, **Spoiler alert**, culminating in a dangerous journey in a press SUV behind “enemy” lines.

In a film like this, we’re craving action, and this doesn’t disappoint. The combat sequences are executed with full-throttle intensity that is both in your face and captivating. The editing is razor-sharp, the sound design is on point, and the cinematography, with CGI thrown in for good measure, is nothing short of epic. Don’t sit too comfortably, as each explosion and each bullet whizzing past feels startlingly real. So, get ready to dodge those bullets!

“Civil War” is not just out-and-out action and adrenaline; Garland does attempt, quite well, to tackle thought-provoking themes head-on. If you’re not interested in the role of journalism in a war setting, tough luck, as Garland doesn’t shy away from asking the tough questions about their role in wartime, the moral conundrum of bearing witness to human suffering, and the enduring human cost of conflict.

The film’s cast of journalists, ranging from the seasoned war photographer Lee to the wide-eyed rookie Jessie, show the traumas of war without giving us an idea of what actually caused the war and the unrest. This might be an attempt to not be too political – politics is pretty toxic these days, so one can understand the thinking. However, it feels like a missed opportunity, leaving some viewers yearning for a more in-depth exploration. To be more picky, the surreal and sometimes disjointed episodes interspersed throughout the film, while visually impressive, can sometimes feel a bit disconnected .

“Civil War” is one hell of a rollercoaster ride through a dystopian America and ticks all the boxes for a box office action film. It serves up a cocktail of action, introspection, and ethical dilemmas that’ll leave you pondering long after you’ve left the cinema. Sure, it’s got its quirks and moments that might leave you thinking “WTF?!”, but isn’t that what makes a film memorable? Go watch this film.