CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER
(2014)
Directed by- Anthony & Joe Russo
Written by- Christopher Marcus, Stephen McFeely
*Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Robert Redford, Cobie Smulders
Oh, brother. After a somewhat disappointing start to Phase II, Marvel finally lands the big punch, and how!
A film which closely matches The Avengers in style and scale, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a proper follow up to the epic superhero mashup of 2012.
It carries on an important thread from The Avengers storyline too, which is targeted killing and the employment of lesser evils for the greater good. And the film not just ably addresses those issues but also successfully provides a tidy resolution for them in what becomes a spectacle to rival the mega-prequel.
Director brothers Anthony & Joe Russo are in firm control throughout the film as it unfolds in the form of a political thriller, as opposed to the adventurous actioner which the previous Captain America outing was. But the times, they are a-changin' and Cap Rogers is trying hard to catch up with them.
The film, as is the case with all good Marvel films, is evenly strewn with generous amounts of humor, action, drama and suspense.
Bringing in the laughs are the buddy moments between Cap and his 'wingman', The Falcon, along with Black Widow who is determined to set up the old soldier with a keeper.
Though Widow's past is once again briefly touched in the film, it's about damn time someone made a standalone Black Widow movie!
The drama is stirred with the death of a prominent character midway, but as well handled as it was, it's become sort of a gimmick, now used to give characters that much needed thrust in the middle of things and has little to do with someone actually dying, as has previously happened in Marvel films.
But the spellbinding action completely redeems any complain one might have with this film, for it is purely incredible.
The set pieces featuring the attack on Fury, Steve's escape from the Triskelion and the final battle aboard the three helicarriers are grand scale affairs which resonate The Avengers' tone of a world scale threat.
However, it's not just massive explosions and gigantic ships crashing into buildings, but also the smaller, smarter bursts of action which bowl you over. The fight scenes are supremely coordinated and exceptionally executed.
The only problem I had with the film was the titular villain. No, the Winter Soldier is in no way an easy threat, quite the opposite, in fact. But the writers failed to add much conviction to his intimidating persona.
Shrouded in obvious secrecy and looking like a crackpot, the Winter Soldier seemed a half baked idea and though more development will definitely be invested (given Sebastian Stan's 9-picture deal with Marvel) here he felt somewhat out of place. It could have been just anyone standing in his shoes to pose as the threat. There was no individuality to his character.
However, the joys far outweigh the gripes in this seemingly complete film.
I loved the smartly placed easter eggs and references to the rest of the MCU throughout the film. Some of them even made me jump in my seat with excitement. (I'm looking at you, sorcerer!)
Overall, a smashing ride of adrenaline, thrills, action and political drama of ethical significance
I liked Captain America: The First Avenger the most in the pre-Avengers line-up. This one is my favorite post-Avengers.
Absolutely loved it!
Rating- 4.1/5
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