Hot on the heels of that transformative WandaVision finale, we’re heading straight back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where we get to spend some long-overdue quality time with both of Captain America’s best friends.
**This review contains mild spoilers from the series premiere of Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier**
Like Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), the last time we saw both Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) was at the end of Avengers: Endgame. The pair appeared at the conclusion of the Marvel epic, bidding farewell to their mutual best friend Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) before he embarked on what would be his final mission. They were given the surprise of a lifetime just moments later when they were reunited with a much older Cap, who had finally tried some of that life Tony (Robert Downey Jr.) was always telling him to get.
Cap, of course, passes on the shield to Sam, choosing him as his clear successor, and giving us the premise for this series. We pick up about six months later, with both heroes now readjusting to life in a post-Endgame world without Cap. With a moment to finally breathe, both Wilson and Barnes soon come to realize that life is a lot more complicated when your day job doesn’t involve fighting space aliens.
While the premiere, which clocks in at less than an hour, will immediately hook you with a death-defying action sequence involving Mackie’s Falcon taking on a familiar foe from
Captain America: The Winter Soldier, it quickly quiets down, really allows us into Sam’s world for the first time. We get to see him struggle with self-doubt as he continues to question whether Steve made the right choice and if he’s truly worthy of taking on the Captain America mantle, which leads him to make a pivotal decision that could have dire consequences for the world at large.
Elsewhere, after being a fugitive since the events of Captain America: Civil War, Bucky has finally been pardoned and is living a relatively quiet life away from the action, while privately dealing with severe PTSD and guilt from his time as the Winter Soldier. Outside of his therapist and a friendly neighbor, he really hasn’t been in touch with any of his old Avenger pals - so it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that the two leads don’t actually share a scene together in the first hour. However, while there’s no buddy cop-like banter just yet, the episode more than makes up for it with significant character moments that show us a side of these heroes we’ve never seen before.
The premiere is understandably more grounded and a lot more subdued than you might expect. Unlike WandaVision, the first hour isn’t fueled by any sort of underlying mystery, so basically what you see is what you get as head writer Malcolm Spellman (Empire; Our Family Wedding) slowly eases you back into a post-Endgame world rather than dropping you into the MCU at its most insane. It's really a calm before the storm-type installment, as we first get reacquainted with both characters and learn more about their personal lives, while the overarching threats of the series materialize in the background before finally taking center stage in the final act. The biggest downside is that we don’t get to enjoy any of Mackie and Stan’s electric chemistry in the episode, but that’s something that should soon be rectified as we swiftly head into episode two.
Primetime Emmy-nominated director Kari Skogland (The Handmaid’s Tale; The Loudest Voice) is easily the biggest standout here, as she brings a very unique eye to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Some of the camera angles she utilizes throughout the first episode feel so intimate, it’s almost like you’re inside the characters’ heads, a trick that works especially well in Bucky’s therapy scene. The premiere does feel familiar - staying true to the tone set by the Russo Brothers in The Winter Soldier and Civil War - but under her direction, everything feels oddly fresh and exciting at the same time.
Since the shield is in Sam’s possession, the premiere is slightly more Falcon-centric, and Anthony Mackie turns in a stellar performance, reminding us why he was an instant fan-favorite upon his introduction in 2014. His scenes with his sister (Adepero Oduye) are among the more relatable in the entire MCU, as is his heartbreaking realization that despite being a world-famous Avenger, his race will always play a factor in how he’s perceived as a man and hero in America. Even though co-lead Sebastian Stan takes a back seat for much of the episode, he does ultimately end up stealing the show with his portrayal of a redemption-seeking Bucky Barnes, delivering his most nuanced performance yet as we get to further witness his efforts to reintegrate into society - including going on his first date in over seventy years - while also doing his best to make amends for the nightmare-inducing wrongs that keep him up at night.
If you’ve been following the production, there shouldn’t be any major character surprises in episode one as everyone that appears has already been heavily reported on. However, there is one “secret” character that does show up midway through for a killer action sequence that you very likely won’t be expecting at all. Outside of that, the supporting cast is solid, with Danny Ramirez making an impression in his MCU debut as [
Redacted], but fellow series regulars Daniel Brühl (Baron Zemo) and Emily VanCamp (Sharon Carter) are
nowhere to be seen.
As for that hanging Steve Rogers thread, the premiere doesn’t provide any answers regarding his current status, but both Sam and Bucky do seemingly drop hints that they may have some inkling about what’s become of their old friend. However, while there’s always a chance we’ll learn more soon enough, it really doesn’t feel like Kevin Feige is particularly keen on letting us in on that secret anytime soon.
While it’s always difficult to judge an entire series by one episode, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier shows a lot of promise in its first hour and provides a much-needed adrenaline rush to your system, with expert direction and phenomenal lead performances that make it another winner for Marvel Studios. It’s very much a spiritual successor to The Winter Soldier and Civil War, and while the MCU’s show-stopping action and trademark humor are present, the episode is really at its best when it transitions into a genuinely heartfelt and deeply effective character study about two of Marvel’s most underrated heroes. Highly recommended.
Also, in case you missed it, check out our full video interview (which includes mild SPOILERS) with head writer Malcolm Spellman below, and please don't forget to like and subscribe!
Marvel Studios’ “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson aka The Falcon, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier. The pair, who came together in the final moments of “Avengers: Endgame,” team up on a global adventure that tests their abilities—and their patience. Directed by Kari Skogland with Malcolm Spellman serving as head writer, the series also stars Daniel Brühl as Zemo, Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, and Wyatt Russell as John Walker.