As a fan of the Marvel comics, Marvel Studio's Cinematic Universe and film in general, I was looking forward to Steve Roger's next adventure unfold on film following Chris Evan's great performances as Captain America in 'Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger' and 'Marvel's The Avengers'. To say that 'Marvel's Captain America: The Winter Soldier' met my expectations is an understatement. This film is GREAT for fans of comic books, comic book movies, action adventure films, suspense thrillers and fantasy films with a sense of humor.
The strength of Marvel Studios is that each film features a very unique character in a very specific genre who happen to inhabit a very distinctive universe and they've managed to pull off a magnificent sense of cohesion without tripping over their own cape.
The film, handled very confidently by the Russo Brothers, is a love letter to the labyrinthine political thrillers of the 1970's while still managing to be a thoroughly modern big budget superhero blockbuster that in many ways surpasses the previous films in this series, including 'Marvel's The Avengers'. Robert Redford, star of 1976's 'All The President's Men', even pops up to lend credibility to the tone and genre this film is paying homage to.
Two years have passed since Steve Rogers was thawed out from 70 years of ice and assembled the Avengers on Park Ave and 42nd Steet to successfully defend New York from an alien invasion. The Avengers have gone their separate ways and Steve Rogers, now working for S.H.I.E.L.D., struggles to figure out what to do with himself and where he fits in. Times have changed and is Steve Roger's moral compass, his values and ideals, as outdated as he feels at times in this new world?
The film, for all the insanely orchestrated set pieces and explosions, still takes the time to explore the daily life of a thoughtful man strong enough to have saved the world in WW2 and still humble enough to not want a shred of recognition without throwing a wrench in the pacing. Steve tries his best to move forward in life but stills finds himself thinking back to what he lost and left behind in the 1940's. Visits to Smithsonian exhibits about his legendary battles against Hydra, the Nazi rogue science division, in WW2, are his chance to reminisce about old friends, brothers in arms and a first love, in one of several callbacks to 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' that fans of that film will find fun and heartbreaking in equal measures.
The repercussions of the earth-shattering events of 'Marvel's The Avengers' are truly felt in this film and the global sense of paranoia and constant fear of attack is felt as the World Security Council debates the benefits of having the ability to take out threats before they happen. Loyal a (super) soldier as ever, Captain Steve Rogers has no issue taking orders from his superior officer Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), but has the wits, confidence in his beliefs and trust in his intuition to speak up when something doesn't feel right, reminding Fury that in the 1940's, punishment came AFTER the crime, a sly commentary in the real world's current War on Terror and the use of drones to execute targets remotely.
Rogers senses that something is amiss and to reveal any more would be a disservice to the tightly paced, intricately woven script (written by Christopher Marcus and Stephen McFeely) that brings Captain America out of WW2 and firmly into the present in a film that feels more of Marvel's take on 'The Bourne Supremacy' than Marvel's take on 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'.
If you haven't seen any previous Marvel Cinematic Universe films, you won't be lost, but it GREATLY dimishes the impact of certain events in a film that is sure to DRASTICALLY affect the plot of Marvel films to follow.
If you're a fan of superhero films or summer blockbusters, you'll love the explosive action, thrilling hand to hand combat, exciting supporting cast (including fellow Avengers) and if you're NOT a fan of these types of films, you'll love the fantastic acting, truly surprising plot twists, subtle social and political commentary and the attention given to Steve Rogers, the man and not Captain America, the superhero.
Marvel Studios knocked this one out of the park, and Chris Evans carries the film as effortlessly as Steve Rogers carries his trusty shield. The acting is solid, the action is gritty and rough, and the plot rewards multiple viewings.
Not just a solid action film, but a genuinely great film overall, I can go on and on about 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' so I'll stop and wrap things up by reminding you to, as always with Marvel Studios, STAY AFTER THE CREDITS ;)