Review: “Civil War” is an engaging story about the weight of being a war journalist. With Wagner Moura in the cast, the film relies on good sound work and impactful images to perfectly build characters During the opening credits of “Civil War”, a feature film directed by Alex Garland, the logo of the production company A24 - responsible for hits such as “The Witch” (2015) and “Everything Everywhere at the Same Time” (2022) - is projected accompanied by the sound of intense camera recordings in sequence. What may sound like just a self-referential joke later becomes a foreshadowing of the idea and tone that dictates the development of the film as a whole. A story about journalistic records, “Civil War” has precisely in the vigorous use of sound and images its greatest allies. In the film - which for Brazilian audiences is attractive due to the presence of actor Wagner Moura - we follow a group of journalists who, after a new civil war breaks out in the country, embark on a road trip to reach Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Audiovisual impact Using the structure of a “road movie” and with brutal action, Garland - who previously collaborated with A24 on “EX Machina” (2015) and “Men” (2022) - is not shy about creating images and sounds that impact the audience to the same extent that they shape the characters themselves. In this regard, we intensely feel the records that these journalists and war photojournalists will carry forever, far beyond their cameras. Sometimes, the work involves being in front of and capturing death itself. Another success is the dynamic of the four protagonists, who work as complementary and opposing links to each other at the same time: The friendly Stephen McKinley plays Sammy, an elderly journalist who carries experience and wisdom with him; The great Kirsten Dunst is Lee, an experienced and cold photojournalist; Cailee Spaeny - previously playing Priscilla Presley in “Priscilla” (2023) - plays Jessie, the newbie who sees Lee as an inspiration; Finally, Wagner Moura has Joel as a very “Brazilianized” character, who deals with situations enthusiastically and with good humor - at least until a certain point in the plot where there is no more room for that. That said, the biggest highlight of this dynamic is the relationship between Dunst and Spaeny’s characters. Some of the film's most interesting moments arise from the contrast between a veteran woman, overwhelmed by the weight of her work and unable to admire herself in the mirror while trying on a beautiful dress, and an inexperienced young woman, completely caught up in the high emotions of the job in the final installment. To achieve this, the constant use of close-ups on the duo's faces is a highlight of Alex Garland's direction. The expressions of the actresses perfectly create the contrast between coldness and shock at what they witness. In short, “Civil War” is a film with great characters. It knows how to use sound and images to build their respective traumas and impact the viewer in equal measure. Just like the protagonists, the silence of some moments contrasts with the intense sounds of gunshots in others. A close-up of a flower on a lawn also provides a contrast with a bullet-ridden body. The result, with this, is an engaging work from beginning to end, which deserves to be seen in a movie theater.
I thought it was actually a decent movie. Since my kneejerk original thoughts on it were “How can you make a movie about a Civil War in America and not make it political??”, after watching it, I thought about how we watch so many movies about war in other places. The ones that come to mind are movies about war in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries we invaded. Nobody ever watches those and asks “what are the sides? Why are they fighting, how can it not be political?” But since it is our country, we feel this way about Civil War.
Review: “Civil War” is an engaging story about the weight of being a war journalist.
With Wagner Moura in the cast, the film relies on good sound work and impactful images to perfectly build characters
During the opening credits of “Civil War”, a feature film directed by Alex Garland, the logo of the production company A24 - responsible for hits such as “The Witch” (2015) and “Everything Everywhere at the Same Time” (2022) - is projected accompanied by the sound of intense camera recordings in sequence.
What may sound like just a self-referential joke later becomes a foreshadowing of the idea and tone that dictates the development of the film as a whole. A story about journalistic records, “Civil War” has precisely in the vigorous use of sound and images its greatest allies.
In the film - which for Brazilian audiences is attractive due to the presence of actor Wagner Moura - we follow a group of journalists who, after a new civil war breaks out in the country, embark on a road trip to reach Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States.
Audiovisual impact
Using the structure of a “road movie” and with brutal action, Garland - who previously collaborated with A24 on “EX Machina” (2015) and “Men” (2022) - is not shy about creating images and sounds that impact the audience to the same extent that they shape the characters themselves. In this regard, we intensely feel the records that these journalists and war photojournalists will carry forever, far beyond their cameras. Sometimes, the work involves being in front of and capturing death itself.
Another success is the dynamic of the four protagonists, who work as complementary and opposing links to each other at the same time:
The friendly Stephen McKinley plays Sammy, an elderly journalist who carries experience and wisdom with him;
The great Kirsten Dunst is Lee, an experienced and cold photojournalist;
Cailee Spaeny - previously playing Priscilla Presley in “Priscilla” (2023) - plays Jessie, the newbie who sees Lee as an inspiration;
Finally, Wagner Moura has Joel as a very “Brazilianized” character, who deals with situations enthusiastically and with good humor - at least until a certain point in the plot where there is no more room for that.
That said, the biggest highlight of this dynamic is the relationship between Dunst and Spaeny’s characters. Some of the film's most interesting moments arise from the contrast between a veteran woman, overwhelmed by the weight of her work and unable to admire herself in the mirror while trying on a beautiful dress, and an inexperienced young woman, completely caught up in the high emotions of the job in the final installment.
To achieve this, the constant use of close-ups on the duo's faces is a highlight of Alex Garland's direction. The expressions of the actresses perfectly create the contrast between coldness and shock at what they witness.
In short, “Civil War” is a film with great characters. It knows how to use sound and images to build their respective traumas and impact the viewer in equal measure.
Just like the protagonists, the silence of some moments contrasts with the intense sounds of gunshots in others. A close-up of a flower on a lawn also provides a contrast with a bullet-ridden body. The result, with this, is an engaging work from beginning to end, which deserves to be seen in a movie theater.
Thanks for the video. It was good made. The music was not too loud or disturbing. Looking forward to seeing more from you.
“Fox News and OAN.” I just summarized your video
I thought it was actually a decent movie. Since my kneejerk original thoughts on it were “How can you make a movie about a Civil War in America and not make it political??”, after watching it, I thought about how we watch so many movies about war in other places.
The ones that come to mind are movies about war in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries we invaded. Nobody ever watches those and asks “what are the sides? Why are they fighting, how can it not be political?” But since it is our country, we feel this way about Civil War.
This guy is really smort