Lionsgate Releasing Civil War

[Scott]

Fantastic film, definitely worth seeing. Makes a good double feature with LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND.

[JoeS]

CIVIL WAR (2024) - Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR is a true Rorschach Test of a movie. Set in the near present, it posits a credible situation where the U.S. is plunged into a battle pitting half the country versus the other half.

Garland plunges the viewer into the action with no background as to how the conflict began. A trio of experienced journalists, Lee (Kristen Dunst), Joel (Wagner Moura) and Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), are in New York planning to head to Washington to get an interview with the President (Nick Offerman), who hasn't granted one for years. Heading straight to D.C. isn't possible because of the combat situation, so the trio take a circuitous route through West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia. A precocious young journalist, Jessie (Cailee Spaney) talks her way into the caravan, much to Lee's objection.

The group's journey takes them through a gauntlet representing what is going on throughout the nation as a whole. Chaos runs supreme and no strong governmental agency seems to be in charge. Garland's screenplay reveals bits and pieces of info along the way - but in an intentionally haphazard and often confusing manner. The road trip acts as a microcosm of the greater war, including glimpses of those who naively try to live a normal life acting as if the turmoil isn't really happening.

The four journalists are more fleshed out. It's a good portrayal of the profession and emphasizes the personal sacrifices reporters make - particularly those in a war zone. Dunst is very good as is Cailey (who's diminutive 5'1 frame adds to the impression of how young and inexperienced her character is). Their relationship is more maternal than as equals. Henderson is one of our finest character actors and he gets a strong platform here to display those skills. Jesse Plemmons has a forceful cameo as a brutal local militia soldier (uncredited).

The production is compelling with an excellent use of sound, and the VFX are exemplary for the budget. Geoff Burrow and Ben Salisbury's score is augmented well by some well chosen songs including a pair from the cult 70s band Suicide. Rob Hardy's cinematography and Jake Roberts' editing keep the audience in the movie's grip.

CIVIL WAR is a provocative film, if not always satisfying as drama. The writing comes off a trite at times, relying on the performances to give it authenticity. By avoiding political specifics, Garland mostly succeeds. The sum total certainly invites many to love or hate it. Some will see it as a big cop-out – and not without some justification. The most extreme views often reveal more about the viewer's beliefs than those of the movie itself. Garland trusts that the savvy viewer will understand that CIVIL WAR isn't really about Red or Blue America, but rather, what kind of country citizens would live in should those fissures explode into full scale armed conflict. It wouldn't be just state versus state - but neighbor against neighbor and even family members opposing family members.

It's a movie which is better at asking questions than it is providing easy answers or deep insight, but it's a drama worth experiencing for one's own self. Preferably, with an open mind.


In addition to this 4K edition CIVIL WAR is currently streaming on Max and for digital rental or purchase.

[Matt H.]

I loved this. Best film I've seen this year. It reminded me a lot of SALVADOR. The soundtrack is amazing, including very memorable use of songs by De La Soul and Suicide.

[Ian Jane]

Press release!

4K UHD + Blu-ray™ + Digital Street Date: 7/9/24
4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital SRP: $42.99
Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital Street Date: 7/9/24
Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital SRP: $39.99

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Prepare for a harrowing adventure on July 7th as Civil War arrives on 4K UHD, Blu-ray™, DVD, and Digital from Lionsgate. The nonstop action focuses on a team of military-embedded war correspondents racing against time to reach the White House before it's too late. Featuring an all-star cast including Academy Award® nominee Kirsten Dunst (2021, Best Supporting Actress, The Power of the Dog), Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla), Primetime Emmy Award® winner Nick Offerman (2023, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, The Last of Us), Jesse Plemons (Killers of the Flower Moon), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Dune), and Wagner Moura ("Narcos"). Civil War will be available for the suggested retail price of $42.99 on 4K UHD (+Blu-ray™ + Digital) and $39.99 on Blu-ray™ (+DVD + Digital).

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS
From filmmaker Alex Garland comes a journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.

CAST
Kirsten Dunst The Virgin Suicides, Spider-Man, Melancholia
Cailee Spaeny Priscilla, Bad Times at the El Royale, On the Basis of
Sex
Nick Offerman TV's "The Last of Us," "Devs," "Parks and Recreation"
Jesse Plemons Killers of the Flower Moon, The Power of the Dog,
TV's "Breaking Bad"
Stephen McKinley Henderson Dune, Lady Bird, Fences
Wagner Moura TV's "Narcos," "Narcos: Mexico," Elite Squad

SPECIAL FEATURES
Torn Asunder: Waging Alex Garland's Civil War Six-Part Documentary
Theatrical Trailer
Amazon Blu-Ray Exclusive: Director and Cast Q&A
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 2024
Title Copyright: Civil War © 2023 Miller Avenue Rights LLC; IPR.VC Fund II KY. All Rights Reserved. Artwork & Supplementary Materials ®, TM & © 2024 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Type: New Release
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Closed-Captioned: N/A
Subtitles: Spanish, English SDH
Run Time: 109 minutes
4K Format: 2160p Ultra High Definition 16x9 (1.85:1) Presentation
4K Audio: English Dolby Atmos, English Descriptive Audio, Spanish Dolby Audio
BD Format: 1080p High Definition 16x9 (1.85:1) Presentation
BD Audio: English Dolby Atmos, English Descriptive Audio, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Audio