Movie Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America is seemingly the least liked among the Avengers. His first Marvel Studios's film, Captain America: The First Avenger, while a solid World War II superhero action flick, only had a mediocre reaction from the general audience. In his appearance in 2012's The Avengers, he wore a "bright spangly outfit" as Tony Stark said, mocking him. Certainly Captain America is a bit lacking in the "cool" department. The only things he have going for him are his morals and principles and his shield.

All that will change as Captain America: The Winter Soldier is more than just a superhero film. Directors Anthony and Joe Russo take the star-spangled superhero into a more serious direction and dive him into a world full of deceit and espionage.

Set two years after the events of The Avengers, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is living in Washington, D.C. and working as an agent for S.H.I.E.L.D. We see him struggling to live in the modern society but soon finds a friend in Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), a PTSD counsellor and war veteran. After a rescue mission in the first few minutes of the film, Steve Rogers senses that something is wrong within S.H.I.E.L.D., eventually uncovering a conspiracy within the organization.

That's as much as I can say about the plot without spoiling away key events in the film. Screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely have arranged a story that is guaranteed to bring thrill and intrigue as the main plot slowly unfolds in the middle act in thought-provoking manner.

It is apparent that the film is a nod to classic '70s thrillers like Three Days of the Condor, with the casting of Robert Redford as an ambiguous high-ranking officer of S.H.I.E.L.D. emphasizing it further.

Unlike Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, this film keeps the humor down to a minimum, with Sam Wilson serving as the main comedic relief. When the funny parts come in however, they do with good timing and do not feel forced. Steve Rogers and Black Widow also contribute with their great banter exchanges.

Entertaining action scenes, smart and thrilling plot with well-developed characters make Captain America: The Winter Soldier one of the best, if not the best, Marvel Studios movies out there. Fans of the character and the casual moviegoers are in for a treat.

Rating: 4.5 / 5