Marvel Studios has been cranking out one superhero blockbuster
after another, and the 2014 film "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"
is a worthy addition to the line-up, receiving heaps of praise from
critics and moviegoers alike. "Captain America: The First Avenger" set
the stage for the film, introducing the justice-seeking super soldier,
and "The Avengers" brought Steve Rogers into his crime-fighting role in
the 21st century. Captain America is struggling to adapt to the modern
world, but he must pick up his shield when trouble brews, forcing him to
face an unexpected enemy.
Two years after the alien invasion detailed in "The Avengers," Steve Rogers is living in Washington D.C. and adapting to his new life. He continues to work for the secret government agency S.H.I.E.L.D. and sets off on a mission to save one of the agency's ships from pirates. He soon discovers that fellow agent Natasha Romanoff, a member of the Avengers known as Black Widow, is extracting data from the computers on the ship. When Nick Fury, leader of S.H.I.E.L.D and recruiter of the Avengers, is unable to decode the encrypted information, he heads to a rendezvous with agent Maria Hill.
However, trouble is brewing within the agency, and Rogers soon learns that things are not as they seem when a S.H.I.E.L.D agent is attacked by assailants in disguise. One of these assailants is the Winter Soldier, a mysterious masked villain with a mechanical arm. To uncover what is truly going on within the agency, Steve Rogers teams up with Romanoff to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters and somehow get past the Winter Soldier, who they soon discover is a Soviet agent from World War II preserved until the present just like Captain America. The superhero team also enlists the help of Sam Wilson, a pilot who goes by the moniker "Falcon," and together they face a threat unlike any they have seen before.
Directors Anthony and Joe Russo, best known for directing the hit TV series "Community," branch out from their chief genre of comedy to create an entirely different film. The result is an action-packed political thriller reminiscent of great titles of the 1970s, a perspective that offers a refreshing shift from the atmosphere of a historical drama found in the first Captain America film. The plot is fast-paced with twists around every corner, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats with constant suspense. The action scenes are also amped up from the first film, with incredible fight choreography that often features Steve Rogers' actor Chris Evans rather than a stunt double. Audiences are also quick to notice how little CGI is used to create these superhero fight scenes, leading to a more realistic atmosphere.
The film's brilliant plot is brought to life through great acting from new and veteran actors. Chris Evans, reprising his role as the patriotic super soldier, brings a feeling of class to the 1940s-era Steve Rogers, but the actor evolves with his role into a mature, no-nonsense superhero who consistently serves out justice. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as the Black Widow, charming audiences with her passion and spirit as she portrays the intelligence agent. Sebastian Stan is perfectly intimidating as the Winter Soldier, and Anthony Mackie gives a commendable performance as Falcon. This incredible cast helps to create a realistic atmosphere that draws in viewers and keeps them interested from beginning to end.
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is the perfect next step for the Marvel Cinematic Universe after "The Avengers." The characters make references to the previous film, and it is clear that whatever happens over the course of this movie will affect future Marvel films. Crossovers can also be expected between "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and the "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" TV series. Although this film works as a brilliant transitional element, it is easy to forget that it is not a stand-alone film. The plot is both complex and well-paced, making it a worthy adventure in its own right.
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" falls into the genres of action, adventure and sci-fi, and it hit theaters on April 4, 2014. The film carries an MPAA rating of PG-13 for intense sequences of action, gun play and violence, making it a better choice for adults and older children. Although audiences did not know what to expect from this sequel, viewers everywhere were blown away by the film's plot, visual effects, acting and nearly every other element, which has made it a strong recommendation for superhero fans everywhere.
Two years after the alien invasion detailed in "The Avengers," Steve Rogers is living in Washington D.C. and adapting to his new life. He continues to work for the secret government agency S.H.I.E.L.D. and sets off on a mission to save one of the agency's ships from pirates. He soon discovers that fellow agent Natasha Romanoff, a member of the Avengers known as Black Widow, is extracting data from the computers on the ship. When Nick Fury, leader of S.H.I.E.L.D and recruiter of the Avengers, is unable to decode the encrypted information, he heads to a rendezvous with agent Maria Hill.
However, trouble is brewing within the agency, and Rogers soon learns that things are not as they seem when a S.H.I.E.L.D agent is attacked by assailants in disguise. One of these assailants is the Winter Soldier, a mysterious masked villain with a mechanical arm. To uncover what is truly going on within the agency, Steve Rogers teams up with Romanoff to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters and somehow get past the Winter Soldier, who they soon discover is a Soviet agent from World War II preserved until the present just like Captain America. The superhero team also enlists the help of Sam Wilson, a pilot who goes by the moniker "Falcon," and together they face a threat unlike any they have seen before.
Directors Anthony and Joe Russo, best known for directing the hit TV series "Community," branch out from their chief genre of comedy to create an entirely different film. The result is an action-packed political thriller reminiscent of great titles of the 1970s, a perspective that offers a refreshing shift from the atmosphere of a historical drama found in the first Captain America film. The plot is fast-paced with twists around every corner, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats with constant suspense. The action scenes are also amped up from the first film, with incredible fight choreography that often features Steve Rogers' actor Chris Evans rather than a stunt double. Audiences are also quick to notice how little CGI is used to create these superhero fight scenes, leading to a more realistic atmosphere.
The film's brilliant plot is brought to life through great acting from new and veteran actors. Chris Evans, reprising his role as the patriotic super soldier, brings a feeling of class to the 1940s-era Steve Rogers, but the actor evolves with his role into a mature, no-nonsense superhero who consistently serves out justice. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as the Black Widow, charming audiences with her passion and spirit as she portrays the intelligence agent. Sebastian Stan is perfectly intimidating as the Winter Soldier, and Anthony Mackie gives a commendable performance as Falcon. This incredible cast helps to create a realistic atmosphere that draws in viewers and keeps them interested from beginning to end.
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is the perfect next step for the Marvel Cinematic Universe after "The Avengers." The characters make references to the previous film, and it is clear that whatever happens over the course of this movie will affect future Marvel films. Crossovers can also be expected between "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and the "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" TV series. Although this film works as a brilliant transitional element, it is easy to forget that it is not a stand-alone film. The plot is both complex and well-paced, making it a worthy adventure in its own right.
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" falls into the genres of action, adventure and sci-fi, and it hit theaters on April 4, 2014. The film carries an MPAA rating of PG-13 for intense sequences of action, gun play and violence, making it a better choice for adults and older children. Although audiences did not know what to expect from this sequel, viewers everywhere were blown away by the film's plot, visual effects, acting and nearly every other element, which has made it a strong recommendation for superhero fans everywhere.
