One of the most thoroughly composed Marvel movies, many will tell you that Captain America: The Winter Soldier represents the next step in the Marvel cinematic universe, moving the plot towards Avengers 2 with incredible speed. But is it a good film? I’m happy to report Captain America: The Winter Soldier is indeed a good movie and should set up the universe to take its next steps.
When we enter the tale with Captain America (Chris Evans) now being a full-fledged member of SHIELD. He helps them solve international crises, works with teammates like Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and tries to integrate himself back into real life. However, after an attack on Nick Fury leaves SHIELD scrambling and signs begin to point towards the return of an old foe, all hell breaks loose and its up to Captain America with the help of some friends to right the wrong.
While the first Captain America felt like the rah-rah go America WWII film of yore, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is like a modern-day Cold War movie, with that patriotism twisted into something more sinister and distrustful. Marvel movies often pack in the entertainment, but this was the first time that I really felt the atmosphere of the world the characters were in and watched it impact the movie. Be that because of the history with Bucky Barnes or the nature of doing a movie centered around spies, the script by Ed Brubaker, Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus is one of the most assured of any Marvel movie.
That’s not to say that this movie is all super serious, in fact this is one of the funniest and sexiest movies I’ve seen this year. The jokes about Captain America age will always be funny, but I like how the movie really brought his life to the forefront, such as his dating experience and relating to others. The scenes between Cap, Black Widow, and Falcon really work in every way because they allow the humor of the situation to pervade.
More than just on a script level, Captain America: The Winter Solider is one of the most technically assured blockbuster movies. I saw one blogger hail it for being from the James Cameron school of action directing, and I’m inclined to agree. The fights between Captain America and the Winter Soldier reminded me a lot of The Raid 2, in that they are brutal affairs, but the choreography is so crisp and the visual settings so well-defined, that they soar off the screen.
Tying all these aspects together is some strong acting from the cast. Chris Evans, who is probably my favorite Avengers actor, proves in this film that he should delay his retirement a bit, less we be robbed of his talents. He easily conveys super human goodness, but it’s the emotional beats that he really nails. Captain AMerica can be a pillar of virtue but that’s a tough mantle to live up to all the time, especially when faced with a former friend, and Chris shows the weariness of Cap. Helping ease that is Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, who is marvelous in her own right, but whose scenes with Chris Evans simmer with the kind of 1930s sexual tension and comedic timing that just draw you in. It also helps that she’s incredibly bad ass and adept at all aspects of acting. Of the supporting cast, I really enjoyed Anthony Mackie as The Falcon, whose comedic timing and team spirit really help move the movie forward.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier should provide delights for everyone and establish the new Marvel universe going forward.