Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

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

Noah (2014)

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Cast: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman

Noah is Aronofsky’s attempt to hybrid his brand of comparatively complex film-making with a mainstream, commercial style.

In hindsight, “Noah” was a 'queer adaptation' of a well-known, straightforward apocalypse story—loaded with heftiness and ostensible profundity, yet enjoyable. 

Some critics would just go ahead and criticize Aronofsky for this pseudo-intelligent film, while some would appreciate his attempt. And, of course, there will be obvious objections from some religious sects. Takes some courage to do something of this sort and serve it to the masses; fortunately, the result at box office seems quite satisfactory. 

Noah is definitely not the best Aronofsky, but a good initiative to introduce the masses to another artistic style of film-making. Striking imagery aided by Aronofsky’s trademark hip-hop montage, impressive background research (a director is allowed some creative leeway), and a strong performance from Russell Crowe, Emma Watson, add to the film.

Side note: Theater I usually visit is always packed to capacity for ‘Anderson/Lin/Bay’ brand of films (that’s obviously what most go for when seeking sheer entertainment) and almost empty for, say, ‘Lynch/Malick/ Bergman’ brand of films. 

Noah, with its rousing trailers, brought in the masses alright and got them cerebrating too. This group of school/college going students was the perfect example. They started out like “what the hell is this!” (on NOT finding the fully fledged action-adventure the trailers promised). By the end, though, group was more than satisfied and appreciated/debated the little bit of symbolism that was there in film.

7.5/10

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

Director: Peter Jackson

Summary: A definite improvement on its predecessor, falling only slightly short of an ardent fan’s sky-high expectation—nonetheless, an entertainer that is bound to grow on you with repeated viewings. 

Plus Points:

Good to see Jackson venturing into the relatively uncharted sections of the book, things that J.R.R. Tolkien left to reader’s imagination or just briefly mentioned, for example: 

• Expulsion of Sauron from Dol Guldur by Gandalf and co.

Jackson also gives some identity to the otherwise generalized evil characters in the novel, like, Azog the Defiler, Bolg. This does give 'evil-side' some heavyweight counterparts to match against the plenty of known good characters. 

Addition of Tauriel and Legolas in the film was a masterstroke too, and will work really well when film reaches the crescendo in the Battle of Five Armies. Inclusion of Legolas in the ‘Hobbit’ storyline is actually quite a shrewd move, since there in nothing in Tolkien’s writings that denies it. However, it means Legolas and Bilbo were acquainted to one another prior to the fellowship’s meet at Rivendale (in LOTR)—there is nothing in LOTR film that indicates this or otherwise!  

Open barrel ride was another great modification; the low-key and secretive barrel-escape of the novel, wouldn’t have worked with the audience not familiar with Tolkien's work.  

Some Drawbacks:

In Hobbit 1, exclusion of Gwaihir the Windlord—the king of magnificent talking eagles—was the one of the biggest disappointment for me, personally (totally empathize this omission, though). In this film, it is the mistreatment of Beorn’s character; got his grandiose represented horribly wrong. To rub salt to the wound, script completely abridges Beorn’s role to a meager sneak peek. There is so much potential to tap in and Jackson knows it better than most. Hope they redeem Beorn's to its deserving glory in the final battle.

Length of the film is not an issue here; it is the improper utilization of length that makes the film drag at times. Could have invested more time on Beorn, of course.

Visuals and special effects are undoubtedly brilliant...just like all the previous films. Hence, 'humdrumness' of  visuals work well for someone new to the franchise, whereas, for someone who has followed it all through, film's special effects offer nothing new. It wouldn't be counted as a drawback for any lesser director...but from Jackson we expect magic every time! 

Overall, a good film that seems more of a stepping stone to the grand final, or so I hope!

8.3/10