Given the extremely early previews and press tours by now you have probably heard that Captain America: Civil War is the best movie that Marvel Studios has made. Given the MCU's impressive film roster, this is no small compliment and yet it doesn't quite give this movie it's proper due. The third Captain America big screen adventure is a wonderful movie not because it's a fantastic super hero spectacle or because the action is absolutely off the wall.

The movie is a must see because it represents cinematic storytelling at its best. The skill that Anthony and Joe Russo put on display in their direction of this film (the action sequences and the character driven moments) is simply jaw dropping. The same can be said of the meticulously and air tight construction of the script. Nothing about this movie is treated in a superficial way and for the first time the Avenger's heroics are placed in a real world context with a theme that is stated in a very clear and powerful way: Violence begets Violence.

And on top of all of that, a wonderful new version of Spiderman, the first solid story points and character development for Black Panther before his stand alone movie and a fight sequence, with all the Avengers that are accounted for,  that represents the very best of what Marvel has constructed on screen during the last eight years. As with all the action in this movie, this particular set piece is monumentally impressive to say the least. But what takes it to another level is how the directors and the screenwriters manage to give everyone their dues. Nobody is reduced to a cameo, each talented actor gets a moment that takes their character in a new direction and moves the story forward. When was the last time you could say THAT about a big Hollywood franchise sequel?

The only ones who are bound to be disappointed by this movie are the fans of the Civil War graphic novel who are waiting for a faithful adaptation of the original material. By now, Marvel Studios is completely focused on the universe they have built on screen. And given all the wonderful and delightful ways that pays off in this film, it seems beside the point to complain. The only thing that makes it through from the original material is it's a central conflict that causes the Avengers to divide in two opposing ranks. After all the end of the world events they have participated in (New York, Sokovia) and a public mishap while trying to stop a chemical virus from spreading that opens the film, the governments of the world think it's time to put these super heroes on a leash. After the events of Winter Soldier, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans, each time better than his previous performance of this role) is wary of being subjected to a government agenda. While Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr in his best performance in this role) is still trying to find a way to protect the world and trying to atone for his destructive actions in trying to save it. So he's all for being supervised and having a more "responsible" incarnation of the Avengers.

The way this conflict plays out is complicated by a terrorist attack that is attributed to the missing in action Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). Of the rest of the plot, the less you know the better. What is crucial to mention is that the moment that the conflict goes pitch dark and turns personal it’s a deeply affecting moment that allows both Downey Jr and Evans to pay off the relationship and the character dynamic that had been established in all their previous pairings.

What's even more interesting is the fact that the whole way that the action and the narrative in this movie are developed completely defies the notion that there is a "Marvel Movie Formula". Everything that is truly satisfying about this movie within the Marvel Universe is a result of everything that has come before. So yes, Captain America: Civil War is a great Marvel Movie and yes it is a great superhero action flick. But the amazing craft and superlative talent of all the filmmakers involved has managed to make it a great movie, period.

See Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War in theaters May 6!