What defines a movie versus a mini-series versus a serial season?
I honestly don't know. I've commented before that I have thought certain films would have been better served in a different format -Batman: The Dark Knight Rises comes to mind.
And in terms of Captain America: Civil War (CA:CW)C, here is where I am confused.
- CA:CW was crafted with deference to the needs a story arch contained within
- It has a clear 1st, 2nd, 3rd act and a denouement.
- The main theme CA:CW seems to be "things torn apart". The resolution is a torturous break with no catharsis.
- This is not unique to CA:CW, other films choose to end on chaotic notes -The Empire Strikes Back-, but this is a defined commitment from start to finish to dissolution. It isn't its choice as much as its purpose.
- I know that this is part of an extended Universe of which this movie serves a distinct purpose for future films
- CA:CW is a resounding success in its goals: emotional tension, continuity, suspension of disbelief, etc.
So, here I am wondering if it is even right to rate and judge CA:CW and other franchise universe films under the same criteria as one-off competitors. I'm not sure I want to have to think about Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds and CA:CW as being in the same class of art.
I realize now that TV, mini-series, seasons, and films/movies are melding together in a way that I enjoy and find upsetting at the same time. I shouldn't be surprised. I consume electronic visual media in an almost uniform fashion. Others are doing the same. I watch movies, episodes, and series generally from home in longer sessions -binges. If I do go to the cinema, the experience is only occasionally better than my couch.
Content is coming together as never before. The only differences are production time, episode time, and length of audience attention during and between engagements.
It's a brave new world.
On a scale of One-Time event to On-Demand, I give Captain America: Civil War 3.657 out of 5 stars.
