Random Reviews- Captain America: The Winter Soldier

What could I possibly say about Captain America: TWS that hasn’t already been published?!  I’m sure the plethora of adjectives and superlatives from the thesaurus have been used ad nausea in the media, but forgive me while I throw a few of them around: Excellent. Tremendous. Superior. Elite.  Now that I have gotten that out of the way, let’s get into this review. TWS (The Winter Soldier acronym will be used to identify the movie) is not only a great starting point to Phase 2 of the Marvel cinematic universe, it is easily the best solo movie from Marvel studios thus far……and yes, better than the first Iron Man.  While it has not eclipsed Avengers, I can’t begrudge anyone that would want to make the argument. Avengers was definitely a dope movie, but more of an entertaining one. TWS was a great action thriller movie that went beyond just the super hero medium and leaves you walking away with a sense of fulfillment in this latest entry into the Marvel universe.  I’ve even heard one critic say that this was his fav’rit movie right up there with The Dark Knight. Now, that’s saying a lot, but given that I do respect that critics’ voice, if he feels that way about it, then there is something to be explored.  While it’s not a perfect movie, it manages to navigate a well balance between intrigue, plot & character development and action.

Now Captain America: The First Avenger, while not the blockbuster we would have liked, it was still a solid effort to introduce this character to the general audience. Even for us comic book fans, it did leave a lot to be desired, but it wasn’t lost on anyone that this was merely a set-up movie so we could get to The Avengers.  TFA had some great moments here and there, and set up the world nicely, but overall it seemed rushed in its resolution as it raced towards the finish line.  With that being said, the one good thing about sequels is that we can toss the origin story away and hit the ground running………and that’s exactly what TWS does. If you’re not familiar with the back story at this point, then shame on you because the movie goes right in and never stops to give you a recap.  But to its credit also, the movie plays in such a way that really don’t have to see TFA to enjoy or even be able to follow TWS…..and that’s all due to great writing.  Let’s start with the supporting cast. 

Supporting Cast

Falcon- Anthony Mackie is the newest addition to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), as Sam Wilson aka Falcon. I was a lil worried about Falcon coming across as a token, but the first seen immediately establishes him as a strong character.  There is an undeniable instant chemistry between him and Cap that is built upon a very real camaraderie between soldiers. The interaction was instantaneously natural as Falcon chastises the Captain for lapping him around the National Mall. I was never the biggest Falcon fan in the comics, but this version was done well and fit within the context of the movie. They did away with the feathery simulated wings and spandex of the original and went with the updated version of Falcon from the Marvel Ultimate line with more of a practical military application version.  The explanation for the wings, while steeped in hyper-reality, did not seem that farfetched at all.  Sam Wilson serves as a grounding element for Cap in this new world and doesn’t come across as anyone’s sidekick.

Black Widow- Scarlett Johanssen is back and we get to see a more fleshed out Natasha this time around. As the story unfolds, she is affected in a number of ways and by the end there is a growth in the character as she comes to terms with her past and uncertain future.  Her banter and rhythm with Cap is on point, as it plays out as a thru line in the movie. In the midst of taking down terrorists or interrogations, Widow is adamant about finding him a date.  It’s well placed wit without being too tongue in cheek.  The quieter moments between them gives a glimpse into Widow’s feelings about the life she has had to create to survive in the world of espionage. Widow no longer feels like a soulless killing machine in form fitting spandex (bless you Scarlett Johanssen…..haf’ mercy.) You can begin to sympathize with her a bit, as she is humanized. In a particular scene during a battle with the Winter Soldier, you see real fear in her eyes because she knows how deadly this guy is and her mortality feels very real. 

Nick Fury- Sam Jackson still personifies the Fury cool under pressure persona with an ease that comes from having the role practically handed to him when they first redesigned Fury years ago, changing him from white to black and using Jackson’s face as the inspiration.  But this is a different Nick from the Iron Man movies or Avengers. Fury is given his moment to shine in a break neck car chase thru the streets of Washington D.C. But not only do you get to see Fury be a bad azz, you also see conflict between him and Cap. The U.S. of A is doing some questionable things in the name of freedom that Cap does not agree with that has him questioning Fury in his methods and ideologies.  It’s hard for Cap to work in the black & white, when his employer deals mostly in the gray areas.

Winter Soldier- Menacing. When he is on the screen….you cannot take your eyes of him. Even the score that is played has more of a horror movie feel than action thriller.  This guy is all business, with no frills. No he doesn’t have the panache or flair for the dramatic quite like Loki, but that’s Loki’s lane. Granted we know how powerful Loki is, but he is never threatening in presence alone. WS has a presence on the screen that is more ominous than Shakespearean.  He presents not only a formidable foe for Cap, he also presents as a personal conflict that raises the stakes just a little bit more than just another run of the mill bruiser villain. He also becomes sympathetic as a character near the second half of the movie and Sebastian Stan does a great job in his portrayal, which feels very true to the canon. His fights with Cap are one of classic proportions, with a rhythm that while violent was still like watching a dance.  He doesn’t even have many lines in the movie, so it’s all just action for him, but those action sequences speak volumes when it’s WS time and he owns the screen. 

Now........for the star of our movie.......

Captain America
If there was any doubt about who the man was in Avengers……the question has been answered. For me anyway.  A few fanboys were less than happy with the choice of Chris Evans as Captain America, and admittedly while I had no problem with him in TFA or The Avengers, in TWS Chris Evan owns the role of Captain America.  He is able to embody that combination of earnestness, innocence, leadership and intensity.  Evans looks more comfortable in the role, more at ease and is able to let his natural talent for banter shine thru without coming off as campy.  To his detriment, in Avengers it was all about RDJ’s Iron Man and the Hulk…..more so Iron Man and his cool, hip characterization in contradiction to Cap’s stern, old school and stiff demeanor.  It seemed that the way the script was written, allowed for Captain America to be the butt of the joke most of the time.  He was given a few moments to shine, near the end of the movie during the alien invasion but you still felt like he was the old fogy boyscout of the clique.  When I was watching TWS, I felt like “okay……now I’m FINALLY watching Captain America!!” This is the Cap I knew from the books, that was not to be played with at all! He was kicking azz up and down that movie, and using the shield in a much more offensively dynamic way. The opening action sequence on the boat had my mouth open. Like….shit, Captain America is seriously dangerous. Even the scene in the elevator that they showed in the trailers when he asks “…before we get started…..does anyone want to get out?”….there was menacing confidence to his delivery letting everyone know, that he will put you in the ground if he has to.  I can’t wait for Avengers: Age of Ultron. It’s going to be interesting to see this now fully realized Cap, takes the reigns of leadership on. Despite the box office numbers and general audience fandom, Iron Man is not the leader of the Avengers……it is and always has been Captain America. Any man that can get a god (Thor) to follow him says a lot about the character and what he represents. 

 Overall, this movie has been a fantastic step in the right direction for Marvel movies and offers a new level of storytelling that isn’t just CGI fluff or cool sequences.  The action in this movie was top notch, with beautifully choreographed hand to hand combat.  Practical effects, with real car crashes add to the realism.  The plot hit a few snags here and there but nothing that takes you out of the movie.   The lighter moments of wit were well placed without being disruptive or resorting to frat boy humor or corny shtick….I’m looking at you Michael Bay!!  With the bar set so high not only for the other Marvel movies, but the Captain America franchise, I can only wonder just how they will top this with Captain America 3.  Either way, I’m eagerly along for the ride.   To quote a song……..Captain America, fcuk yeah!!

4.5 out of 5