Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Cast: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian
Stan, Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson
Sounds such a cliché now,
but Marvel does it once again. Winter Soldier is a powerful film in every
aspect, helmed by a previously unheard duo of brothers. Kudos!
Continuing after the cataclysmic events of “Avengers”, the film focuses on the S.H.I.E.L.D. and its agents—primarily Captain America, Black Widow, Falcon, and Nick Fury. The evil in the film is present throughout as an undercurrent—shuddery presence of the Winter Soldier and a bureaucratic leech.
Winter Soldier has the feel of a political
thriller, yet delivers all the excitement of a mainstream action-adventure, aided
by a good script, neat screenplay and just about right wittiness. When it comes to the cast, everyone
delivers in tandem. Chris Evans keeps up the good work from the prequel. He is
indeed one of the best casting in garb of superheroes—in fact, almost all
Marvel characters have been transitioned to the big screen with utmost
perfection. Do watch out for the great Stan Lee in one of his meatiest roles,
just around a memorabilia museum!
Captain America is the most
morally correct superhero (probably next to only the blue blur or on par) and his
belief in humanity is ever so unwavering. In a world full of turmoil and corruption
he is the beacon of integrity friends, colleagues, and people in general look
up to. Even someone as wary as Nick fury trusts Steve Rogers to an extent.
“First Avenger” was a good
film too; it rightly focused on the maturation of Captain America from a shy teenager
into an icon. In that effort, supporting cast came out a little lopsided. “Winter
Soldier” makes up for that. It gives enough screen time to the likes of Nick
Fury (long time coming), Black Widow, and above all, S.H.I.E.L.D as an
organization. Falcon and Winter Soldier have been strategically under-exposed,
it is expected that upcoming Captain America films will explore them in-depth,
as a separate/parallel thread from “Avengers.”
Overall, “Winter Soldier” isn’t
just a big extravaganza; it has the same strength of character previously seen in
Iron Man and X-Men First Class. Meaning, some more catching up to do for DC.
For fellow comicbook nerds!
Bucky has been brought back at the right time. He might eventually take the Captain
America mantle from Steven Rogers, as shown in the “Death of Captain America”
and “Fear Itself” arc. The film itself sets the tone for that change. An inspiring
and honest man like Steven Rogers is more useful weeding through a flawed,
corrupt administration than as a field operative—impacting not just a mission
or two but chastening the whole outlook.
Mid/post-credits: There is a lot in here and plenty of dissections
to be made. A certain specter and an almost-immortal Nazi general are comprehensible,
obviously cascading from previous films. However, there are some exciting, new
additions: an object-manipulating female and a super speed male.
Scarlett Witch and Quicksilver
will be more than handy in the upcoming battle against Ultron. Plus, are we right
in perceiving an eventual, onscreen bridge forming between the Avengers and
X-Men via a famous father of the two new characters. It is not as apparent as
the Captain America shield in the first Iron Man film, but provides some nerd-fodder
to fuel the engine of imagination and possibilities!
At last, Bucky pays the Smithsonian
museum a visit—some goods signs, eh?
8.4/10
