REVIEW: CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

Sorry I haven’t posted any review for two weeks. I’ve been a little busy. Here now, I am going to review one of the most anticipated movies of 2014, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The film is a sequel to the hit 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger and serves as one of the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe of comic book superheroes.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is co-directed by brothers Anthony Russo and Joe Russo. The writers from the first film, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely returns as scriptwriters. Also returning is actor Chris Evans in the title role of Captain America. He is joined by new additional co-stars Scarlett Johansson, Robert Redford, Anthony Mackie, and Emily Van Camp. Other actors returning from the first film are Sebastian Stan, Hayley Atwell, and Toby Jones. Actors Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders reprises their roles from 2012’s The Avengers in this film.

How will the sequel fair up to its predecessor? Do read on…

Chris Evans as Captain Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America

SYNOPSIS:

After the events in the film The Avengers, Captain Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America now works for S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division) as a mission operative. Despite being hailed as an international superhero, he still feels lonely as he tries to piece together the missing pieces of his past. While on a rescue mission, he discovers that the organization he works for, holds some dark secrets relating to his past. Together with the help of Black Widow (Johansson) and Falcon (Mackie), they try to prevent the worst from happening.

Natasha Romanoff a.k.a. The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) teams up with Captain America

SCRIPT:

Not too bad and exciting. The script does well in an attempt to make it a ‘stand alone’ film, meaning you don’t have to watch the first film in order to understand this. There’s good enough back story to keep the uninitiated interested in the film. The plot was a bit scattered as it tries to tell too much but eventually you would be able to grasp the storyline. As with most Marvel superhero movies, there a lot of references to other characters in order to set-up a potential storyline in future films. There were quite a few plot twists here and there which I felt was overdone but eventually those twists serve a purpose to the story.

Anthony Mackie (right) joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Falcon

ACTING:

As usual, Chris Evans turns in a good performance as the hero. Great ensemble cast to support him. Scarlett Johansson is more menacing in the same role compared to her performance in Iron Man 2 and The Avengers. I would have loved to see more of Anthony Mackie though as I think he did well. Samuel L. Jackson is at his best, as usual. I particular liked the casting of legendary actor Robert Redford in a supporting role.

Veteran actor Robert Redford sharing a scene with Steve Rogers

FILMING:

Impressive and entertaining. At first, I was skeptical with the appointment of relatively new directors helming the film. However, it turned to out to be a good action adventure film. High praises for the stunts, gunfights, and car chase sequences. Lots of creative angles and shots. Good editing too. All of them were very exciting and I feel even renowned action director Michael Bay would be proud. The visual effects were not overly done and executed neatly.

Filming a scene from Captain America: The Winter Soldier

PACING:

A little slow at the beginning as it aims to explore plot points and back story. It picks up well towards the end. Good climax.

The Winter Soldier

TONE (MOOD):

A group of heroes must race against time to stop a mysterious villain while juggling dirty secrets within their own organization.

Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) in action

DOWNSIDE:

There’s a lot of dialogue at some parts and too much explaining. I didn’t fancy the various plot twists. Non-fans of superhero films might not be able to relate.

Anthony Mackie as Falcon. The gear on his back becomes wings

UPSIDE:

Great action sequences which at some scenes can make you go “Wow!”

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) preparing to do battle

OVERALL:

Quite an entertaining film. It does not rank as one of the best superhero films but it does have its own special blend of fun. TAKE NOTE: There are TWO post end credits scenes. The first one comes midway through the credits. The second one comes at the end after all the end credits.

RATING:

8 out of 10