CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER review by Mark Walters – Cap is back and better than ever

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER review by Mark Walters – Cap is back and better than ever

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In 2011, hot off the heels of two highly successful IRON MAN movies, Marvel Studios released CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, properly introducing Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) to enthusiastic audiences and setting up events that would play out in THE AVENGERS in 2012. It was part of their ambitious “world building” in a series of films that helped give these larger-than-life heroes a way to eventually form one big super-team. But Cap was also a difficult character to adapt, as his origins began in World War II, fighting the Nazi offshoot organization known as Hydra, and ending with the Super Soldier frozen in ice and thawed out in the present. In THE AVENGERS, Cap led the other heroes to defeat Thor’s brother Loki and a horde of alien attackers in a mission that required the abilities of the entire team. In CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLIDER our hero finally gets a proper solo adventure, and begins to question the very people he believes are the good guys.

The story opens with Steve Rogers jogging in Washington D.C. meeting Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), a fellow soldier also trying to adjust to life back home. Cap and Natasha Romanoff aka “Black Widow” (Scarlett Johansson) soon find themselves on a mission to rescue hostages aboard a freighter ship, including a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent there for mysterious reasons. Rogers notices Natasha’s mission is something different than his own, and starts to wonder why he’s being kept in the dark about things. Back at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) informs The Captain that their missions and motivations aren’t always what they appear to be on the surface, and reveals a top secret program called Project Insight, in which three heavily-armed helicarriers are being prepped for launch in an effort to keep order in society. Cap wonders if this is really a sign of freedom, or rather a way for the powers that be to control the public’s fear. We’re also introduced to Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford), a high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. leader who has a long history with Nick Fury. While out for a drive, Fury is brutally attacked by a mysterious figure known as The Winter Soldier. This begins a web of conspiracy in which Steve and Natasha find themselves trusting no one, and desperately trying to figure out who is really behind these actions.

Co-directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo have admitted their love of 1960s and 70s conspiracy films, and it’s obvious CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER is a loving nod to that era of cinema. The screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely borrows heavily and lovingly from Ed Brubaker’s popular comic book run in which The Winter Solider was introduced (Brubaker actually has a cameo in here as well). The result is a mysterious and engaging action film that is more serious than most Marvel fare, but excels because of it. Utilizing the concepts of freedom versus fear and government cover ups, this film becomes a strong example of how comic book movies don’t always have to feel like comics. Chris Evans is quite competent as Steve Rogers/Captain America, and remains a likable hero for the big screen universe Marvel has created. Some might find the performance subdued, but his Cap is a man of never-ending confidence and strength, and is quite an easy figure to root for. Pairing him with Scarlett Johansson was an inspired choice, as Steve Rogers doesn’t really have time for a love interest in this story, and Black Widow serves as the perfect female counterpart in a script with little room for a damsel in distress. They play well off each other, and while parts of the movie feel like a “buddy” film, this is still very much Captain America’s story. The rest of the cast is strong and compliments the project well. Anthony Mackie becomes one of the film’s smartest additions in playing Sam Wilson/The Falcon, who becomes Cap’s high-flying sidekick you’ll instinctively clap for on multiple occasions. I’ve always liked Mackie, and this is a showcase role for the endearing actor. Sam Jackson shows us new sides to Nick Fury, and gives the character a layer of depth some might feel was missing from previous outings. Robert Redford has some nice unexpected moments as Alexander Pierce, and adds strong gravitas to a role that’s rather important to the overall story. It’s hard to talk about The Winter Soldier character without getting into spoilers, but fans of the comics will pretty much know what to expect there. The film also does a nice job tying things back to the first outing, even revisiting Cap’s lost relationship with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), the loss of his best friend Bucky, and the fate of Hydra scientist Arnim Zola (played by Toby Jones). Also look for what may just be the best Stan Lee cameo in any Marvel movie to date.

If there are any weaknesses to this sequel, you could argue the two hour and 16-minute running time is occasionally a bit slow, but the numerous action scenes more than make up for it. I also didn’t love the Henry Jackman score as much as I would have liked to. Alan Silvestri’s score for the first film (and his follow up music on THE AVENGERS) was so great, it’s easy to miss that sound here. Jackman goes more modern with his music, and much of it feels like underscore rather than memorable themes. I had heard many great things about this outing before seeing it, and I can say I enjoyed it a lot, though I want to see it again before deciding if I loved it. One thing is certain, this is a Marvel movie that will change the shape of things to come in the big screen Marvel universe, along with the small screen in Marvel’s AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. as well. CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER may prove to be one of the strongest Marvel movies to date, though I suspect it may ultimately work best as the second part of a trilogy, as we know a third film is on the way after THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON in 2015. Make sure to stay through the credits, as there is not one but two stinger scenes Marvel comic book fans will love.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER opens on April 4, 2014

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About the Author

Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff.