As everyone knows by now, I'm a defender of Marvel's Phase Two and that Captain America: The First Avenger has remained my favorite solo movie thus far. Tonight, I was able to finally see not only my most anticipated solo movie but my most anticipated movie of the year. Captain America: The Winter Soldier. A lot of people have given it acclaim and some didn't like this film. Where do I stand? No bias I promise. Keep reading to find out.
The statment I am about to make a lot of people will agree with but one will cause a debate but keep in mind, this is just my opinion. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is not only the best Marvel movie across every company but is also the best supehero sequel yet and is one of the best of all time. When watching this film, I really couldn't find much I didn't like about it. The film is thrilling, intense, action packed, dramatic and emotional with twists and turns everywhere. This movie is one that is not an option to me, this is a must see movie. Here is why...
Both Captain America films have their fair share of criticisms but none of it was about the supporting cast which is once again the stand out. Anthony Mackie steals the show as the Falcon and Robert Redford is great as always. This movie is an introduction to both Brock Rumlow/Crossbones and Sharon Carter. Toby Jones and an unrecognizable Hayley Atwell are great in their roles, Atwell actually brings a great ammount of emotion and humanity into the film for the brief time she is on screen. Sam Jackson owns Nick Fury now and Is great as always. The journey he is sent on in the film really makes the character that much more interesting and a lot of it is that he gets time to grow as a character and bring a lot to the role. Sebastian Stan as The Winter Soldier while not given a lot of development is next to Tom Hardy's Bane as one of the most intimadting villains we've ever seen in the genre. He doesn't have a lot of dialouge but does get to show emotion and he pulls it off in fantastic fashion. Scarlet Johansson and Chris Evans own their respective roles as Black Widow and Captain America now. Chris Evans is iconic in the role at this point and the relationship the two have on screen is great and the develpoment they both get throughout the film really makes them that much more intersting. The film is about friendship and trust, believe me when I say, it comes through very well.
The action is the best we've gotten in a superhero film no doubt, aside from The Avengers. What makes the action so great and intense is the actual feeling of stakes and lives at risk in the film. While everyone assumes Captain America makes it out alive, it doesn't mean you don't fear for him. The most intense action scene in the film is the first fist fight between he and The Winter Soldier. I was on the edge of my seat the entire scene and it was truly brilliant. By the time those two have their final battle, I found it to be not only emotional and found the lives of both characters in serious risk (despite the predictability of these kinds of movies no doubt) but also as key word I've been using, intense. The first fight was so intense, my friend actually noticed I was shaking. That's something because I've never been like that. Steve trying to get through to Bucky is very emotional and again, Evans is iconic in the role at this point and really brings out the humanity in the film. This is a very unique superhero film. We don't get it as much as we should.
Again, I couldn't find anything to not like about the film. This is a perfect superhero sequel in my opinion. If you want character development, great drama, action scenes, performances and an overall intense film. You've found the right one. Definitely without a doubt a perfect ten out of ten.