Ever since Buffy the Vampire Slayer I have considered Joss Whedon the god of pop culture. When that god made The Avengers, I knew very few superhero movies would match up to it, and even his own follow-up film Avengers: Age of Ultron failed to stun. But the Russo brothers, who gave Whedon a run for his super-suits with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, have delivered an “Avengers Assemble” film that is better than The Avengers, though it doesn’t have a magnificent villain like Loki.

There I have said it! Captain America: Civil War is, for me, and I am sure for everyone in the packed theatre full of clapping and whistling people (except one guy who snored; I am sure he came because of his girlfriend and I’m sure he is by now single  ), is the best Marvel movie till date. Anyone who disagrees can meet me at the airport tarmac!  

And nothing is more satisfying than watching it with invested fans who don’t just cheer and clap for the Avengers royalty like Tony Stark, Cap and Black Widow but for newcomers like Black Panther and even ones with no movie of their own like Falcon. Let’s not even talk about what happened when Spider-Man showed up.

Here are 10 super-reasons why Captain America: Civil War IS THE BEST.

♦ I am not saying it because Captain America has always been my favourite Avenger, because that cannot be the sole factor in a film that has 12 superheroes. No, the main reason it is the best is because it has 12 superheroes and not one of them feels underplayed, forced or divorced from the narrative. Everyone has their moment in the spotlight.

There is Natasha Romanoff/ Black Widow, who fights on Tony’s side (the audience cheers) but understands exactly what Cap feels (the audience sighs). There is Falcon/ Sam Wilson (the first claps are for him and they keep on coming), who is Cap’s right-hand man. Hawkeye/ Clint Barton may have just three small scenes and a fight but he is solid. Ant-Man has just as much screen time but he sure packs a punch (the audience cracks up and cheers)... watch it to find out what that means. The scene where Vision cooks for Scarlet Witch adds depth to his character. Even the newcomers Black Panther/ T’Challa and Spider-Man/ Peter Parker’s stories are told through just a couple of tightly written scenes.

♦ And despite all that it is still very much a Captain America film with his conflict with Iron Man and his friendship with Winter Soldier at the heart of it.

♦ Because I thought I would end up hating Tony Stark from the get go, but instead, actually understood exactly where he was coming from when it came to the signing of the Sokovia Accords.

♦ When each one chose their sides you knew exactly why they were either for it or against it. They were just being honest to what they individually stood for. No one tries to be something they are not. Yes, Tony goes against his nature and seeks to succumb to a higher authority but he doesn’t change himself for it. He is still the cocky, arrogant guy with the smartest one-liners (loud guffaws and claps from the audience every single time — especially that one where Black Widow asks him if he has his suit and he replies straight-faced, “Yes, a silk, two-button, three piece, Tom Ford one”).

♦ Black Panther played by Chadwick Boseman is superbly cast and a treat to watch. Nimble, agile, super dextrous and with a quiet dignity that leaves you impressed. Black Panther’s appearance saw one of the wildest reactions from the audience. Who knew there were so many Black Panther fans?! In the smoking room, at the interval, people were discussing him and Crossbones, rather that Cap or Stark!

♦ Spider-Man is wild! I haven’t had so much Spidey fun on-screen, ever! Tom Holland’s turn as the wall-crawler steals the show. Saying anymore will spoil the fun.

♦ The film is the best because its showstopping fight sequence on the tarmac not only leaves you oohing and aahing and ouching but also laughing till your stomach cramps, thanks to the superbly written dialogues. And Spider-Man. And Ant-Man. And, of course, Iron Man.

♦ Because it is not often that you watch a fight sequence, in this case the final showdown between Cap and Iron Man, with moist eyes.

♦ Because you leave the hall eagerly waiting for, not the next Avengers movie, but the stand-alone Black Panther and Spider-Man film.

♦ Because it helps wipe out the memory of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and maybe will teach DC a lesson on how to launch new characters.         

Chandreyee Chatterjee