I went into this movie with expectations at an ALL TIME HIGH! Users who got early screenings or got it a week before in some foreign markets were coming back claiming it to be amazing and to be the best solo Marvel movie, some saying it is better than what is considered by many fans of the geek community, The Avengers and The Dark Knight. Does it live up to the hype? DAMNNNNN STRAIGHT, SON!!! Though, to be honest, it doesn’t touch Man of Steel and The Dark Knight Trilogy, but it comes pretty damn close.
The movie is pretty much all about SHIELD and it's affairs and Cap. I loved how isolated it felt, and how it felt like only Cap and co. could deal with it, a major issue I felt Iron Man 3 lacked. The film is a true political thriller, and it grabs you from the very start. I’ll break it
The acting and character development is top notch. Chris IS Captain America. He embodies the struggling character in the modern gray world with such black and white core moral values. Anthony Mackie as Falcon didn’t feel forced or anything, it felt necessary to the plot. Scarlett did fantastic, as did the rest of the cast.
The plot was absolutely amazing and so well woven. I knew some spoilers before coming in, and it was interesting to see how it played out, having the previous knowledge. I love how at stake and consequential this film will play on the MCU. I won’t say who or how, given only minor spoilers are allowed. The stakes felt very real and detrimental to the universe.
The action is absolutely stunning! The Russos did an absolutely amazing job with the shots and everything, and the cinematography was amazing as well. It was also VERY well choreographed and I felt as if I was in the action in the entire film.
A lot of fans have their issues with some of the humor in the MCU, and while I have no problem with it, I’ll address it. I laughed so many times during this, but in no way did it feel like a “comedy”. It had a lot darker of a tone than most or all of the MCU, and in NO way does the humor hinder on the tone.
I had only one major issue with the film, though it is somewhat minor, and that was with the amount of time spent with Bucky. I feel it would have been better if we saw a lot more backstory with Bucky, and also more time in general. I wouldn’t go as far to say that he was just a plot device, as he definitely had his moments in the film, I feel like the plot and major villains would still have done fine, just given a few minor changes. That’s not to say I am very happy Bucky is back, and that I didn’t love him in this film, it just felt a bit too small for being the official subtitle.
While I had issues with the time spent with The Winter Soldier, this film a solid entry into the MCU. I’d say it is DEFINITELY my favorite Marvel film to date. I give Captain America: The Winter Soldier 9.5 Stars Out of Ten.