Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier Review

Double-O-Cap.

(Source: Collider)

Directed by: Anthony Russo & Joe Russo
Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi
Running Time: 136 minutes
Stubs Rating: 4/5

Hallelujah, Marvel Studios have finally presented quite possibly the best entry yet in the Marvel cinematic universe in the form of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Sure, many would argue that The Avengers to date is the best yet with tons of action and humour that made the billion-dollar blockbuster a smashing hit. However, this Captain America sequel truly shines with an enthralling storyline and mixing with great genre elements that The Avengers lacked.

A direct sequel to 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger and roughly two years after the events in The Avengers, The Winter Soldier sees Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) is still not quite settling down in the modern era and has trouble trusting the people that he work for and with including S.H.I.E.L.D. and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). At the same time, Cap has to face his past demons and also have to go head-to-head with a terrifying foe in the form of the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).

The Dynamic Duo in The Winter Soldier. (Source: Collider)

While I was watching The Winter Soldier, I think I am the only geek who kept laughing on the little Easter eggs that frequently popped up that either links to its predecessor The First Avengers or The Avengers. With these Easter eggs popping up, it shows that the directors Anthony and Joe Russo truly respects and pay homage to the previous Marvel movies.

However, what truly stands out from this film compared to other Marvel cinematic entries is the depth of the film. Instead of just putting good ol’ Cap battling the bad guys and end scene, directors Anthony and Joe Russo integrated so many layers and genres into the film with political espionage, exciting action sequences, great character developments and also humour to the mix. The directors took something that was well-established in the first film and truly make the sequel both exciting and gripping.

"I wonder who is this Winter Soldier?" (Source: Collider)

Apart from Cap’s constant inner battle with integrity and dishonesty, the film focuses on the price of freedom in this modern world and how much of a sacrifice would you make to ensure freedom. I would not spoil you, but the Russos also constantly presented the question of the different sacrifices to maintain peace and order in the society.

Once again, Chris Evans proves that he truly fits the part of Captain America with his commanding figure while portraying the Cap’s inner vulnerability at the same time with ease. So far, Evans’ portrayal of Captain America is as subtle and relatable as Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark/Iron Man. Both Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson give a great performance as Black Widow and Director Nick Fury with their own personal vulnerabilities and wittiness while providing massive developments in their character. Emily VanCamp, Anthony Mackie and Cobie Smulders also give strong performances as the supporting characters.

The Terrifying One. (Source: Collider)

However, it is both Robert Redford and Sebastian Stan that brings the whole film to life with their gravitas. Redford’s Alexander Pierce is both a commanding and authoritative senator that makes us totally invested in his character. Meanwhile, Sebastian Stan is both terrifying and ruthless as the Winter Soldier and he truly holds his own against Evans’ Captain America including a spectacular hand-to-hand combat action scene. Gee, I even wonder that Sebastian Stan could possibly play as a ruthless and relentless Bane in the near future (fingers crossed).

With Marvel now in Phase Two, Captain America is by far the best entry compared to both Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World with its gripping storyline and great characters along with its unique blending of several genres in the film that makes this year’s X-Men: Days of Future Past and the much-anticipated The Avengers 2 a tough act to follow. Oh, and do stay back after the movie ends as there are two post-credit scenes for you moviegoers.