Civil War (2024) Film Review

**** out of 5 Stars.

In Civil War there has been an unexplained succession of Florida and Texas from what once was The United States. Now, America is divided into Western Powers and as far as the viewer can tell the remainder of the 50 United States. Why this has occured is all too ambigous. The explanation of what caused the Civil War is perhaps the biggest flaw in what is otherwise a very good film. Yet an introductory scene in which a bomb or missle ignites adjacent to a Television Viewer in a Hotel Room tells us this War is very much underway.

We are then introduced to an all to familiar scene of a Police line being mobbed and ambushed by protestors. The violence between them is unregulated, and the press is the only official mediation between the public and federal government soldiers. Sadly, Lee Smith and her war-torn press group are all too accustomed to this pandemonium and mayhem. After recruiting Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) they voyage to Washington, D.C. to interview The President of The United States.

Of course along the way they are faced with dreadful obstacles that include Gas Station Pirates, Racist Military Nationalists, and a barrage of introspective suffering and terror from their experiences in a devastated wasteland that was once the United States. The reflective monologues shine a light on why they became journalists, and emphasizes the importance of Objective journalism. To help future generations understand the horrors of War, and show them a reality that they should try to stop at all costs.

Foreshadowing takes place in a conversation between Joel (Wagner Moura) and the excellent and loved Sammy (Stephen McKinley). McKinley was also very good in Beau Is Afraid. Their car ride discussion addresses the idea that leaders who thrive on quarrels, battles, and division are often cowardice behind the scenes. 

After a tense and tragic shootout in the White House. This prediction turns true as The Western Rebellion's top assassin's infiltrate the Oval Office to end the war. The POTUS is asked for a final statement by Joel who has long sought to interview him.