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MOVIE:
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
OUR RATING:
3/5 Stars
WHAT IT'S ABOUT:
After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, is living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But, when a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.
WHAT WE THOUGHT:
If you are following the Avengers storyline, Captain America: The Winter Soldier forms quite a vital part in how the second Avengers movie – Age of Ultron – will be shaped. As for standing on its own, it does a suitable job of entertaining you with explosions and introspection on the United States’ policy of ‘threat prevention’. And luckily for the pro-anti-hero generation of today, Black Widow is there to counterbalance the goody-two-shoed moralistic Cap.
As has been reiterated much in previous Marvel superhero movie reviews, the overpowering use of CGI has become the lead in any sci-fi/fantasy stories. The second Captain America installment, however, has toned down its use and, similar in vein to the third Iron Man, is more plot-driven as the superhero deals with their own doubts about their ability to perform their superhero duties.
In Steve Rodgers case, however, he questions the very identity of his alter ego as threats to freedom become veiled in security. As comics continually adapt themselves with changes in societal structure, the movie casts quite a critical look at America’s prevention tactic as it is currently mired in spying-controversies.
Whereas Avengers are involved not only in global threats but also in threats to the universe, it is good that the producers kept Captain America in America, and swopped his Hydra enemy’s old Nazi clothes for American ones. Although quite predictable about who the head of Hydra is, if you don’t know the Marvel universe too well there will be one other twist that you won’t see coming, and its reveal was well-timed and not made obvious.
There is also the introduction of a new sidekick for the Cap and oh he is quite awesome. Although his willingness to blindly follow the superhero seems a bit cliché, his special ability is makes it possible for anyone to be the Falcon and look good doing it. One of the first black superheroes, the Falcon has been around since 1969 and was created by the cameo-famous Stan Lee (who of course also makes a hilarious appearance). Although not finalised yet, one can hope that he will be joining the cast of the second Avengers movie.
As for the female roles in The Winter Soldier, I am quite impressed that Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow was not regaled to being the lead hero’s love interest, or anyone’s love interest for that matter. Although she is wearing the super tight outfits to the applause of the male audiences (no one should be allowed to look that hot), she and the Cap form a friendship that puts her above being a sex object and that’s cool. Still, I do wish they would get a move on with the Wonder Woman movie (looking at you, DC.)
Oh, and Nick Fury is even more badass. No elaboration needed.
The bland Captain America is definitely not my favourite superhero (Thor and Iron Man for the win!) but the plot had me very interested and how Age of Ultron is being set up makes me keener than ever for its 2015 release, especially after a sneak peak of the twins
Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. So far Marvel is on course for a great series and we can only hope good things for Guardians of the Galaxy.
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:
