Marvel heats up with Captain America: The Winter Soldier

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]By Carla Van Wagoner

Okay, let’s just start this review off with the fact that there is almost nothing bad I could say about “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” And, that in itself is saying something.

There is nothing cold about “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” – it’s a hot action-packed thriller that is sure to be a summer blockbuster – and it isn’t even summer yet.

Let’s go over some of the characters and their performances. Performance wise, this is almost perfectly cast.

We find our hero, Captain America/Captain Rogers (Chris Evans), having just come off the Avengers escapades in New York ala “The Avengers”, in modern day Washington, D.C.  Rogers, a trusting soul, quickly makes friends with Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie) while he runs circles around him during a morning jog. It’s like being a super hero attracts other superheroes. Or, is there a hidden super hero bro-code of some sort?  In any case, there’s a trust that is formed. Rogers finds himself feeling a bit out of his element (he has been asleep for a long time) and Wilson, volunteer for a veteran’s support group, can relate.

Evans seems comfortable in his role as a Marvel hero. He seemed very likable in a pair of “The Fantastic Four” movies by Marvel. He’s transitioned well from playing that bravado kid-like hot-head aka Johnny Storm into a patriotic, duty-driven soldier and, a some what of a fish-out-of-water, lead in his latest adventures. His all-American good looks and charm fit very nicely into the Captain America uniform. Like the serials of the early film days of Hollywood, Evans has consistently acted from one Captain America film incarnation to the next. There is no break in the character or script that would have you think there was no back story or previous incidents in his life that wouldn’t affect him mentally or emotionally.

Likewise with Mackie, he’s likable. Although he’s not given much of an acting stretch, he’s got potential to make the jump into Marvel lead material, if given the chance. There is more there that needs to be explored with the Falcon. Let’s hope Marvel recasts him for the next “Avenger’s” film that will be release in a year or so.

Speaking of aforementioned trust, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) quickly finds out that something is amiss after a very dizzying rescue of hostages and a covert assignment undertaken by the Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). Thus the movie’s plot of political intrigue is set in motion.  “Trust no one,” says Fury.
Jackson is, well – Jackson. He’s a perfect Nick Fury. Who would want to mess with him? This was a tailor-made role for him. Johansson however, this is not her best role. She’s good, she’s just not great as Romanoff. Physically, she can carry the role but, this spider has no bite to her when playing non-action scenes. She’s kicking butt in a man’s world and she’s girly, girly the rest of the time. I’ll admit that I don’t know whether or not she’s exactly like the comic book but, she’s got a bankable name and look in Hollywood. So I guess that’s why she was cast.

Without giving too many spoilers about the film and about of each of the characters and their parts of what they do and how they do it – let’s round out the cast.

There’s The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) who is the film’s antagonist. Now come on – I’m not giving anything away here  – it’s in the title of the film. It’s in all the television commercials and previews. He’s a bad guy. A really good bad guy. Just as strong and resourceful as our hero.  He’s flawed and mysterious, as all really good bad guys are.

Robert Redford, who has returned to acting after what seems like an eternity of not making films, plays Alexander Pierce. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? I won’t tell. You’ll just have to see the film.  His performance however, doesn’t completely live up to his reputation. His lines are delivered well, but not with that spark you would expect from this character. Like Johansson, it’s good, it’s just not great. There’s something about his performance that just screams – this is just for the paycheck.

Cobie Smulders (“How I Met Your Mother”) who portrays Maria Hill and Emily VanCamp (“Revenge”) portrays Kate / Agent 13 are surprisingly effective in their given roles. This is definitely a film that will launch both these actresses into other screen ventures.

There are several other actors, good guys and bad guys, too numerous to mention. All following orders, all of them cast reasonably well. Some of whom, if not given lines, would blend into the background nicely.

I will say one thing, Hydra is back. Cast wise, Hydra’s evil Dr. Armin Zola played by Toby Jones is back and in a very interesting twist. I actually wish there was more of him in this film.

Story-wise, “The Winter Soldier” is packed with political intrigue, great one-liners and provides a nice roller coaster ride of action and character development. The script is very tightly woven tapestry of where both sides think that they are in the right. Thus a good thriller is created. It also pays homage to its predecessor very nicely with a series of flashbacks and reintroducing characters from the previous film.  Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay with Ed Brubaker who supplied the story and the concept.

The overall look and feel of this film – far out succeeds previous Marvel adventures. They have has once again created movie magic. This film deserves a solid A for its use of creative special effects and cinematography. It’s seamless. Fantastical yes, but seamless none-the-less.  When it’s all over and the credits role by, trying to figure out how many affects houses were enlisted to help bring this film to life is a Herculean task. It’s like trying to read an old-fashioned phone book. It’s long, very long. But, the effects are Oscar worthy for sure. As a side note – stay for the credits, there’s always a little something extra in the credits.

Stunts become more and outrageous as the film progresses. Fight scenes, especially the very first fight scenes, are dizzying and if you’re prone to motion sickness, you may have to close your eyes for a few minutes. But, from what I could tell, they are excellently executed and choreographed. The elevator scene with Evans is exceptionally well done. Even though there are some over the top visual effects moments and stunt sequences that had me scratching my head and saying “Hmmmm that doesn’t seem possible,” this film still managed to keep me on the edge of my seat and saying, “but I’ll go along for the ride anyway.”

Underneath all of the acting, a tightly written script, dizzying stunts and superb special effects is a brilliant score by Henry Jackman. The sound track is worthy of purchase alone. His score is typically heart thumping and bold during action sequences and lyrical during softer moments. It’s exactly what you’d expect in a film of this calliper. It’s the perfect fit for Captain America. Jackman, who’s own credits read like a who’s who of some of the top films in the last 10 years, doesn’t disappoint in the music department.

If there is one thing Marvel does well besides making good comic books, it’s making yet another hit movie from those very same comic books.  Kudos to Marvel for setting the film-making bar to a new level.  Bravo to directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo.  Joss Whedon, who is currently filming  “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” directed the scenes in the closing credits. Let’s see how many box office records this will break.[/vc_column_text][vc_images_carousel images=”1582,1581,1587,1585,1579,1584,1578,1577,1586,1583″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” mode=”horizontal” speed=”5000″ slides_per_view=”1″ wrap=”yes” title=”Stills from Captain America: The Winter Soldier and 2013 Comic Con International” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]