[Locke]

Winter Soldier - SPOILERS AHEAD.

Iron Man 3 chronicled an evolution in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you can't really get bigger than the Avengers and so Iron Man 3 stopped thinking about size, and thought more about the detail. It was a valiant idea, but for me at least, it was also something that failed miserably. It was clear they weren't quite ready for something as emotionally deep, and action light as something like Iron Man 3.

Now if you're wondering why I brought that up, it's because Winter Soldier feels more like the spiritual sequel to Iron Man 3 than it does a direct sequel to the likes of Avengers or The First Avenger. It keeps all of the good ideas from Iron Man 3's plans to mature and evolve the franchise but this time gets them right, creating a film that really provides the best of both worlds. This features a sharper, tighter, deeper and much more emotionally engaging story which still provides all the rock 'em sock 'em we'd come to know and love from when this cinematic universe was in its infancy.

Although the narrative is admittedly a tad clichéd, none of the Marvel superhero films have attempted to really tackle anything quite as directly as this does, and not nearly in such a thought provoking and mature manner. If you didn't already think Avengers was basically a Michael Bay movie with a Marvel license, this film is definitely going to put both that film in perspective, but also the whole cinematic universe as this film proves what this franchise can achieve when they put in that little bit extra. This is a tough act to follow, and I feel sorry for any Marvel film that has to come out after this.

Lots of what makes Winter Soldier so fun is comparing it to the rest of the Marvel Cinematic universe, that might sound odd, but it's just so impressive that even in a universe with a giant super strong green man, an alien God with lightning powers and guy with mech suits, that you give a guy a shield and superhuman stamina and he can still be so damn entertaining. The key ingredient to this films success purely as an action film, is a little thing called 'variation'.

I personally found the set piece in Avengers mind-numbing, because that is what it was, a single set piece. A forty minute long slog of fighting the same CGI animation over and over and over again, goons are never meant to be the main event, ever. So cleverly, Winter Soldier shifts gears a lot, it provides the kind of grand scale set pieces we've come to expect from these films, including sky battles which look awesome in 3D. Then there are also downplayed subdued sequences like when Cap, Black Widow and some Shield Agents stealthily storm a ship full of pirates which shows a very different side to the film. In the next moment bullets are flying and we find ourselves in a visceral and tense burst of urban warfare, with the film showing another side again.

It isn't just how it's portrayed which is healthily varied either, it's tone. This is probably one of the funniest Marvel films to date, which we'll get to, but between all the laughs the Winter Soldier gets to be one of the most brutal villains we've had yet. Not so much in explicit content, but he barely utters a single word, which gives this haunting detachment as he begins to mow down what few members of SHIELD are left, that aren't Hydra in disguise.

Perhaps my favourite part of the film though, are the characters. I never much cared for Black Widow but the dynamic between her and Cap is wonderful, Johansson honestly steals pretty much every scene she is in as Black Widow shows us there is whole lot more to her than sex appeal - although she has a lot of that to. And although Falcon is admittedly a little tacked on, for the short time he's relevant Anthony Mackie adds a lot to the film by being so charming and charismatic. The banter is the most razor sharp I think it's been in any Marvel film yet, expect a LOT of laugh out loud moments with the rest of the screening to punctuate your viewing, it's great.

Sadly, probably the worst aspect of the film, is ironically the Winter Soldier. In such a fast paced film, trying to juggle varied action, character dynamics and a critique of the modern world, the Winter Soldier seems like someone chucked in at the last minute to give someone Cap can punch who'd still be standing after.

I mean sure, we gets lots of exposition about him and a hint of a mystery that doesn't really play out in any way at all but despite so much of the film focussing on the difficulty of returning from war - and in Cap's case, returning from being frozen for seventy years - the reveal that Bucky is still alive, and as a Hydra assassin no less, is something that it seems the film doesn't really think is a big deal at all, when it most certainly is. It feels almost as if Cap knew all along, just as well as the rest of us comic fans, that it was already coming.

In short, the Winter Soldier in the film called "Winter Soldier" only really exists to be introduced to the audience, in a sub narrative so ultimately pointless until the end, you could cut out of all of his scenes and impact nothing. The film actually ends with Cap and Falcon planning to go after him, "fo' realzies" this time, so err...Captain America 3: Winter Soldier For Real This Time? Flows right off the tongue!

Importantly though, the Winter Soldier is so ultimately superfluous his insignificance is ultimately too insignificant to impact all the stuff this film does well. This is probably the best film in the Marvel canon to date.

[ZeoRangerV]

Completely agree about the Winter Solider Locke, especially on the Black Widow point. I hated her in IM2 and Avengers because she felt so superfluous, but for the first time here she felt like an actual character and I could really get behind her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerman293

Though, if you're any sort of European, prepare to get potentially offended.

Speaking as a UKer, I think we have thicker skin than that. Nothing was particularly downright offensive in that film.

[RiderSkyward]

Saw Cap 2 last night. Awesome stuff!

Locke summed everything up pretty well for me too. I think this definitely feels like the most realised version of the universe they're making. Lots of nice little nods to both the wider universe Steve strange =D and the first cap film.

Falcon is also awesome! I wasn't sure how they'd handle him, and yeah whilst he's pretty much just a sidekick, he feels fully fleshed out and warrants his inclusion a lot more then say Hawkeye or even war machine. Plus he's just badass, and provides some super stylish action sequences. Speaking of awesome action, the Russo's definitely know how to use Cap and his shield!

Oh minor minor niggle... Why we're they so coy about Sharon? My best guess is that it might have felt a little forced, but her inclusion just felt tacked on. I think personally I would have given her a slightly bigger role and preffered a small scene with her talking about Peggy's life, instead of Peggy still being alive. Would have gave Cap someone on the inside to trust/confide in and possibly made the impact of cap having nothing a bit stronger, thus upping the impact of Bucky's return too. (Which got a few gasps from those not aware of the source material)

Overall though, awesome film, keep saying they've really upped their game for phase 2 and this is no different. Very exciting stuff for the entire MCU going forward!

[Locke]

See people, I do like things and I'm not always contrary!

Considering the directors are mostly know for their TV work, probably explains why Cap has such a strong supporting cast. TV shows seem to always get it better than movies, how useful side characters can be and that they can be just as fleshed out as the hero without taking his steam. I didn't even mention Nick Fury in Maria Hill in my review but both get some decent scenes and crucial moments as well as anyone else.

[KRX]

… You jerks with your early release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

[Locke]

It's been out since I think Tuesday here.

[KRX]

It doesn't come out until Thursday over here.

[Locke]

Wow I wonder why we got it so far ahead of you guys.

[XW1n5t0nX]

Well I just finished the Oldboy remake. Was it a good film on it's own merits? Yes. Is it better then the original? No, but it did rectify quite a bit of what I didn't like about the original, mainly that it made the story towards the end not so freaking bat shit crazy confusing. Outside of that though, nothing was really better then the original. It was still a good movie though and definitely worth a watch.

[Paladin]

STRIPPED:

This is an excellent documentary about the history (and possible future) of cartooning, featuring some top-quality interviews with a great number of comic artists & writers- including the first ever recorded interview with Bill Watterson, creator of "Calvin & Hobbes."

9/10, highly recommended.