There’s nothing civil about “Civil War.”

The movie seems to be promoted in previews and on posters as a vague parable of the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Riot scenes are shown in the film. Explosions, burning buildings and wrecked vehicles are backdrops.

“Civil War” is actually a relationship drama about journalists and press coverage. That’s also kind of vague. And not very civil, either, believe you me (BTDTGTTS: Been There, Done That, Got The T-Shirt).

A banged-up Ford SUV with the capital letters “Press” emblazoned on each front door carries photojournalist Lee (Kirsten Dunst), reporter Joel (Wagner Moura), old-salt reporter Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and aspiring photojournalist Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) on a road trip to Washington, D.C., to interview the president of the United States (Nick Offerman).

If that isn’t preposterous enough -- no, I am not referring to Nick Offerman (TV’s “The Great North,” 2021-2024) portraying the president of the United States -- but rather the naive idea that one can waltz into the White House and land a “get” such as the U.S. president without a lot of phone calls and negotiations.

This group of pressers seems to take photos first and dodge bullets second. Along the way, they encounter thrill-seeking journos, internally-displaced persons camped out in a football stadium, and an abandoned Christmas season display taken over by vigilantes led by a rogue soldier (Jessie Plemons).

It’s a shame that the storyline of “Civil War” isn’t more believable because as a piece of cinema, “Civil War” is excellent, with captivating cinematography (Director of Photography Rob Hardy, “Mission Impossible: Fallout,” 2018; ”Ex Machina,” 2014), intense editing (Jake Roberts, Oscar nominee, editing, “Hell or High Water,” 2017), some spectacular special-effects, shocking violence, bristling soundtrack (Geoff Barrow, founder, British rock band Portishead; “Ex Machina”; Ben Salisbury, “Ex Machina”) and quite good performances.

“Civil War” Screenwriter - Director Alex Garland (director, “Annihilation,” 2018; Oscar nominee, original screenplay, “Ex Machina”; screenwriter, “28 Days Later,” 2002; “The Beach,” 2000) does what he can, and that’s a lot, to keep the movie tension-filled. Still, the story, such as it is, has little depth and lacks credibility. One never knows who is fighting on which side, nor what they are fighting for or against.

Thus, there’s scant emotional buy-in. The story is aloof and distant. As compelling as the scenes are, the plot is peculiarly uninvolving. The “Civil War,” whatever that may or may not be, seems to be beside the point.

“Civil War” boasts some terrific performances.

Kirsten Dunst (Oscar nominee, supporting actress, “The Power of the Dog,” 2022; “Melancholia,” 2011; “Spider-Man,” 2007, 2004, 2002; “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” 2004; “Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles,” 1994) is a powerful and captivating presence.

Jesse Plemons (Dunst’s husband, who was in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” 2023; “The Power of the Dog”) as a vigilante makes yet another indelible cinematic impression.

Cailee Spaeny (“Priscilla,” 2023) shows a nice range of vulnerability and pluck.

Wagner Moura (TV’s “Narcos”) is memorable.

Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Dune,” 2021; “Fences,” 2016) is always engaging.

“Civil War” is reminiscent of Director Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket” (1987), for its intensely up-close-and-personal war action scenes, Director Alan J. Pakula’s “The Parallax View” (1974), for its paranoid nihilism, and Director Oliver Stone’s “Salvador” (1986) for its conflicted duplicity of a photojournalist on a self-important adrenaline high amidst real tragedy.

“Civil War” will be of chief interest to fans of Kirsten Dunst, director Alex Garland and media types such as myself.

“Civil War,”

MPAA Rated R (Restricted Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.) for strong violent content, bloody, disturbing images and language throughout; Run Time: 1 hour, 49 minutes; Genre: Action, Thriller. Distributed by A24.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“Civil War” was filmed in Atlanta, Ga.; London, England, and Philadelphia from March - June 2022.

At The Movies:

“Civil War” was seen in the Dolby Theatre at AMC, AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office,

April 26-28: Zendaya asked, “Tennis, anyone?” and movie-goers took up the “Challengers,” opening at No. 1 with $15 million in 3,477 theaters, as “Unsung Hero,” about real-life Christian rock group family (For King & Country, Rebecca St. James) opened at No. 2 with $7.7 million in 2,832 theaters.

3. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” stayed in place, $7.2 million in 3,312 theaters, $181.6 million, five weeks. 4. “Civil War” dropped three places from its two-weeks-straight at No. 1 with $7 million in 3,518 theaters, $56.1 million, three weeks. 5. “Abigail” dropped three places, $5.2 million in 3,393 theaters, $18.7 million, two weeks. 6. “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” dropped two places, $3.8 million in 2,845 theaters, $15.4 million, two weeks. 7. “Kung Fu Panda 4” dropped one place, $3.5 million in 2,767 theaters, $184.9 million, eight weeks. 8. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” dropped one place, $3.2 million in 2,627 theaters, $107.3 million, six weeks. 9. “Dune: Part Two,” also starring Zendaya along with Timothée Chalamet, dropped one place, $1.9 million in 1,334 theaters, $279.7 million, nine weeks. 10. “Boy Kills World,” opening, $1.6 million in 1,993 theaters.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of April 28 is subject to change.

Unreel,

May 3:

“The Fall Guy,”

PG-13: David Leitch directs Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu and Winston Duke in the Action, Comedy, Drama. A stuntman looks for the missing star of his ex-girlfriend’s blockbuster film.

Movie opening date information from Internet Movie Database as of April 28 is subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes