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Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Folks, I’m not going to bury the lead here. You came to see what I thought of the latest Marvel movie, so why beat around the bush? Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a straight-up masterpiece of action and intrigue. It’s 136 minutes long (for those with math problems that’s two hours and sixteen minutes), yet I can’t think of a single moment that was wasted. The brothers Russo who directed the film put together something amazing, and I honestly can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like it before. But, before I gush any further, let’s dive into the movie.
Picking up an undetermined time after The Avengers, Winter Soldier finds Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America, running laps around the Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. While exercising he meets Sam Wilson, a veteran out running laps of his own, and the connection between the two soldiers is quick. But, before they can chat for too long, the Black Widow shows up and whisks the Captain off on another mission for S.H.I.E.L.D. Cap, Black Widow, and their team are successful, but it is merely one step down into a rabbit hole of conspiracy that tests loyalties and friendships alike.
All of the acting here is as good as you could want it. Chris Evans should have been born with a star on his chest, because he owns his role as Captain America. He’s tall, strong, and handsome, but it’s his eyes where so much story is told, and in them is a vulnerability that might just kill him. Robert Redford’s casting surprised many, but for the movie to work it was essential, because Redford brings a lot of authority with him, a legacy of great acting that lifts all those who act with him, and Winter Soldier is no different. When he’s on screen you’re riveted. Scarlett Johansson is just as comfortable in her role as Black Widow, with this being her third outing as the redheaded assassin. Sebastian Stan plays the titular Winter Soldier, and while he doesn’t have much to say, you won’t be able to take your eyes off him when he’s dealing out many a beat-down. The one wild card I wasn’t sure about going in was Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, a character we comics fans also know as Falcon. Fear not, Mackie brings it. He’s funny and charming, but he also has some of the most insane action moments in the film courtesy of a rather nifty flying rig that truly has to be seen to be believed. All in all, this was a great cast of actors, and all brought their A games with them.
The Russo brothers, having been gifted with this great cast, not to mention the money and might of Disney behind them, could have let their feet off the gas and given us a lesser film that still would have entertained. I mean, just throw these actors in front of a camera and you’re already halfway home. Add in some digital magic from a dozen or so FX houses and that would have gotten them the rest of the way to a perfectly good movie. If you take a look at their previous credits you might even wonder how they got the job in the first place. It’s chock-a-block with TV episodes. But I’m betting that buried in some hidden bunker Disney has an oracle at their disposal, because not only do the Russos rise above their television past, and not only do they NOT let the movie coast along on its cast and CGI, they manage to create a work of wonder that blisters the screen it’s shown on.
It’s unfortunate that stunt work STILL isn’t something the Oscars see fit to award, because Winter Soldier has some stunts in it that will leave your jaw hanging open like a broken screen door. The shooting and hand-to-hand fights alone are dazzling, but some of the leaps and rope swings defy belief. Sure, sure, CGI was there to help some of that along, but there are many moments that you know left a stunt man or woman breathing hard and glad to hear the directors call, “Cut!” It’s rather refreshing to see so much almost-sorta-kinda real world action after movies like Thor and The Avengers. It helps the stakes feel real, the danger more intimate.
Let me also praise the writers of Winter Soldier. Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, both of whom previously wrote Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor: The Dark World, are incredible. When I saw Winter Soldier it was a double bill showing that included the first Captain America movie, and I’m so glad I saw them back to back, because there are an astonishing number of callbacks to that first film, in small ways and in large, all of which helps make Marvel’s ever-expanding franchise feel that much tighter and complete.
If I had one complaint about the story, it’s that it’s almost too self-contained. There were many moments where I thought to myself, “Why don’t they just call Iron-Man in to help?” When the chips are down and the bullets are flying, wouldn’t that be your call too? But they don’t call, or even mention him. I wish there would have been a ten second scene where it was explained why the rest of the Avengers were unavailable. But, that said, it’s a small thing, and certainly nothing to bring the movie down. In the end, it’s a moot point anyway. Captain America has stronger shoulders than even he knows.
There was a lot of talk when Winter Soldier first started production that instead of it being the usual superhero movie it was going to be crafted more like a political thriller. Many were perplexed by that statement, me among them, but now having seen it I completely understand what they meant. And, I applaud them. Oh sure, there are many superhero moments contained within those 136 minutes, some of them so dazzling they’ll leave you breathless, but in-between those flying fists and bullets you are treated to the sort of spy thrills you’d normally expect from a Bond movie. Our heroes don’t know who to trust, they’re on the run, good guys become villains, secrets are exposed, the past haunts the present, and when the dust eventually settles nothing is the same as it was before. Winter Soldier is a heady mash-up of film genres, taking the best from each and blending them into an incredible new breed of movie. Marvel, somehow you folks keep topping yourselves, and I hope you keep on doing it for many more movies to come.
Now bring me Ultron!
If $10 is the full price of admission, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is worth a perfect $10
If $10 is the full price of admission, this one is worth $10
Justin Macumber
The Hollywood Outsider
www.TheHollywoodOutsider.com