When we last saw Captain America, it was after the battle of New York in the Avengers film.
Time has passed, and Cap is now an agent of S.H.E.I.L.D. But the more missions he runs, the more he realizes that there are many secrets out there as well. And some of them cause him to be caught in a conspiracy and to have his own past come back to haunt him.
This film just starts with the ground running and doesn’t stop.
First Avenger was definitely your origin story, told in a flashback with a little campiness. While Winter Soldier is more of a spy thriller in the vein of the Bourne film.
I really have to hand it directors (and brothers) Anthony and Joe Russo. If you look at their resumes, most of the projects they’ve directed have been TV comedies. So Winter Soldier is their first action film, but I swear, it doesn’t show. It truly looks like it was directed more by a veteran of the action genre, and that’s a compliment.
It doesn’t hurt that they had such a strong script, written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who also wrote First Avenger, Thor: The Dark World, and many others. And while the story isn’t 100% perfect, I honestly had no problems with it.
Chris Evans obviously returns as Cap, and he does an amazing job as a man who’s truly out of time. Trying to figure out how his values from the 50’s fit into today’s world.
Also joining him again are Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), and Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), who all were in the Avengers as well. They all do a great job reprising their roles. But there is some character growth in all of them.
Also returning is Sebastian Stan as Bucky/Winter Soldier. He was amazing. Now I’m not going to give away any spoilers, but if you’ve been following the news, Stan is locked into a 9 picture deal with Marvel Studios. I hope this means a Winter Soldier solo film, because I would so pay to see that.
One of the newer characters introduced into the film is Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson. Those familiar with the comics now that this is one of Cap’s long time partners, the Falcon. Mackie just nails it. Him and Evans just play off of each other wonderfully. I do hope a Captain America and Falcon film is down the pike.
Finally introduced is legendary actor Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce. In the film, Pierce is the senior leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. and one time mentor to Nick Fury. Redford was really good in this role. I’m glad he took it.
There are a lot of comic references within the film and one of them solidifies the existence of a character in the Marvel Universe, as a major player in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We don’t see the character, but the name is so blatantly dropped that you’d need to be deaf to miss it.
One of the really great things about Winter Soldier is the how the outcome of the film will affect the Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. While I’ve been unhappy with the show so far, I am curious on how this is all going to play out. But it’s going to be major.
There was another possibility that one of the major plot points could tie into Avengers: Age Of Ultron, but I just might be stretching things here. But if it does or not, I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
Bottom line, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is not a film to be missed. This is the type of film that you can not miss on the big screen. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
As always, with all Marvel movies, you need to sit through the credits. I know it’s hard and you may want to go to the bathroom really bad, but don’t. You don’t want to miss what happens.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens nationwide, Friday, April 4th.
Newsdesk