Film Review | Captain America: The Winter Soldier

After the devastation of New York, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is still coming to terms with the changes of this world. But one thing’s for sure, the war he plunged into the arctic depths from is still very much the same war he woke up to. Now working for S.H.I.E.L.D., Rogers is hoping that the similarities would out-way the differences in the new world. But in a world full of war, who can you really fighting who?

The Story

Picking up from the first Captain America and Avengers films, CA: The Winter Soldier follows through the comic plots and opens up the world of S.H.I.E.L.D. as wells as other central characters. There are big character/plot developments for (and with) Agent Hill (Cobie Smulders), Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), which is fascinating in the greater scheme of The Avengers front. We also receive a new love interest for the Captain; Revenge’s Emily VanCamp makes an appearance as Kate – a.k.a. Agent 13.

The film engulfs the theme of technological advancement with the preservation of human minds via computer hard drives as well as cutting-edge weaponry that can wipe out masses in a “flick” of a switch. The idea in this film is annihilating the threat before it can even become a threat. With old enemies – even those who were once comrades – in play, this film questions who is good and who is evil?

The Cast

Chris Evans, I’ve always thought, captures the essence of a soldier who’s come back from – not just the dead – but also another time altogether, perfectly. Not only does Rogers have to overcome slight spurts of post-traumatic stress, he also has to come to terms with the fact that the past, though can manifest itself in the future, cannot be returned to. Evans understands the role and the fact that he has to bring the values of the 40s into the 21^st century. One thing I will commend the costume department for is this: Evans keeps his clothes on!

Scarlett Johansson, although retaining Black Widow’s kick-ass nature, is actually the main source of comic relief in this film. Her banter with Evans is playful and believable. Aside from her comedic streak, we see a different side to Johansson’s character in this film, which helps us really understand its attempts to tackle to philosophical battle of who truly is the ‘real’ enemy.

Samuel L. Jackson is brilliant as usual. Like Johansson, he gives you a few witty lines to laugh about. There are moments in this film where you really do feel for Fury as well, which is a good thing since we don’t really get to do that too often since he’s the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Robert Redford takes on the role of Alexander Pierce, fellow head of S.H.I.E.L.D. Not wanting to give too much away, Redford plays an excellent dual role. There are times where you question him just as much as times where you completely trust him. His relationship with Fury is an important one and the conflicting feeling you get with Pierce is exactly why I loved the concept of this film.

Sebastian Stan you’ll recognise from the first film, and for those of you who follow the comics religiously, you’ll know exactly who he is in this film. For those of you who are simply watching the films as they come, you’ll catch on pretty quick. Stan delivers a brilliant performance as a conflicted soldier just as much as Evans. Though his character is much more tortured that the Captain, he truly depicts the questioning aspect of this film really well.

Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders and Emily VanCamp are all great supports in this film. Mackie is a brilliant “wing man” as Falcon – again, another great source for comic relief, while Smulders and VanCamp took a more serious portrayals of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

I just wanted to give Aussie, Callan Mulvey, a shout out for his brilliant appearance in this film. I knew he was freaky in Home and Away, but Mulvey was an outstanding double agent in this film along side the rest of Rogers’ former unit.

Overall, this is totally a guy’s film. Like Iron Man 3 and Thor 2 it’s jam packed with action, gunfire and explosions of epic proportions. Although, ladies I think you’ll appreciate it just as much – like Amy, the winner of my #sLBdayComp, said, “Chris Evans, enough said”. But seriously, I enjoyed it more than the first one – not just for Mr. Evans! My one warning is this, be ready for a few scenes trying to layout “Captain America vs. Hydra” plots in the film – they are important though. Otherwise, everyone go see it – although probably not in 3D, like I keep saying, people are in 3D a flat screen doesn’t change that fact.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★

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