It wasn't just because "Captain America: Civil War" was unnecessarily convoluted that I grew despondent as I sat through its 147 minutes of confusion. Later I would also be miffed by the lack of clues leading to the surprise conclusion. But I am beside the point. With nary a Smartphone a-texting, the kids around me seemed to love it, totally welcoming the cacophony and esoteric story details. Such is what Father Time wreaks.

A new generation's ascendancy first begins with the confiscation of popular culture. Anyway, who's to argue with someone who's pinned a small ball bearing to the tip of their tongue?

But hey, wait a minute now. Most of the superheroes who join the title character in this film filled the comic book pages when I was a kid. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee (who makes a cameo appearance here at age 93) and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, the Avengers made their debut in September 1963. These, however, are not your father's superheroes.

Now, even Homer knew that the good vs. evil thing is a simplification of the human dynamic.

It's meant to please the sensibilities of audiences who need a break from the fickleness of humanity. Witness the way all too many Americans embraced the easy solutions of McCarthyism following the wrenching turmoil of World War II.

Of course that nadir in recent American history was consequently followed by the grand questioning of the '60s. All of which has me hoping there is a seed of change in the healthy cynicism which fuels this latest delve into the business of saving the world.

In this go-round, Chris Evans' Steve Rogers/Captain America et al choose sides when the Sokovia Accords declare that there must be oversight of the Avengers. Tony Stark/Ironman, again glibly played by Robert Downey Jr., takes the position that indeed there should be surveillance. But the Captain says no sir, you can't ever get anything done that way.

So dear reader, assuming you agree that both warring camps of these extraordinary beings are altruistically committed to everlasting peace on Earth, we have a metaphor. In real life the U.S. has two very powerful organizations who say only they know the way. They call each other names and assure that the other one is lying. Sometimes they even get wacky, and contend that their ability to attract a mate more beautiful than their opponent's makes them most suited for elected office.

We scratch our heads, whereas the younger generation, who've become inured to the gray area between honesty and deceit, figure it's par for the course ... just another layer of what Big Daddy in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958) called "mendacity." Hopefully they'll find the workable truth residing somewhere beneath the hypocrisy.

Just as it's been said that the greatest battles in history were originally won on the fields of Eton, our youngsters prepare for the future they'll wield by vicariously enjoying the idea of justice wrought by their New Age superheroes. But can equally good people fight each other? Mommy? Daddy? Dr. Freud?

Don't get me wrong. The technical stuff is great, including a 3-D that's the best we've seen since "Avatar" (2009). The colors are alluringly bright. And the action is typically non-stop as the Yin and Yang of these super mortals, beleaguered by a constitutional crisis, do battle.

There's nary a pause, save for an occasional bit of popular psychology posing as reflection.

Nope ... no time out for this generation ... not anymore. Still, even if one is of a certain, let us say sophisticated, age, you can't help but be nostalgically curious. Hidden in this kaleidoscopic tumult are the pulp saviors of the world that once sparked our imagination.

But if you don't know the backstory and minutiae that comprise this realm where superheroes agonize over what their role in society should be, then by all means bone up beforehand. Don't worry ... just about any young geek will happily wax ad nauseam about all sorts of obscurities, their eyes aglitter in the enchantment of this portal the comic book/film establishment has excavated for them. Oh, and might as well have them look into your computer problem while they're at it.

Measured solely by length, at two and a half hours you sure get your money's worth. No gigabyte of lore or legend goes unturned. You see, like us regular humans, each Avenger has his or her own bedevilment, their own mishegoss (it's worth looking up). Call it their equivalent of being lactose intolerant, or perhaps unable to eat the peas if they're touching the mashed potatoes. All are given due consideration. Blah, blah, blah.

Yep, it's all here, packed in to satisfy today's zealous keepers of the superhero flame, which might explain why "Captain America: Civil War" doesn't seem to have any room left for a plot.

"Captain America: Civil War," rated PG-13, is a Walt Disney Studios release directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo and stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey, Jr. and Scarlett Johansson. Running time: 147 minutes

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