The first Captain America was okay, the second aims to be bigger, louder and better. It succeds in some parts but fails in some areas but remains way a better movie than Thor 2. Let's dig in.
Let's start with what works. The directors (Anthony and Joe Russo) keep the action very brisk and visceral. There’s a lot of hand to hand combat that’s well done, even some cool kung fu moves are thrown in with the shield. There’s more gun play and bodies in this one than I’ve seen in the entire Marvel catalogue.
So there's a defininate mood shift from the first movie, that had elements of Indiana Jones - we are now in John Mclane of Die Hard vs Jack Ryan territory.
Then there’s the theme. In the age of Edward Snowden and Wikileaks, Marvel decides to centre their plot on issues to do with national security; how far can states go in trying to protect their citizens before becoming instruments of the citizens' downfall. I believe this is the sixth movie with a national security as a plot device from Marvel... tsk tsk tsk.
If it sounds too serious for a Marvel movie don’t fuss - everything is treated with a strict PG style. Unfortunately the movie does not have bite or true conviction to follow through on its ideals. Everything is kept at a pc level and that undercuts its own dramatic tension. It’s all kiddie safe.
The movie is quite bland, or generic, and its hard to identify with Captain America, cause you know he ain't going to die (hey they still need to make another Avengers movie), so he's never in real danger.
He's not as witty as Tony Stark, nor dark as the dark Batman, even Superman of Man of Steel was far more complex a character than the square chin hero Steve Roger, aka Captain America. One does not really feel for this man.
Yes, Chris Evans puts his heart into playing Captain America, Scarlett Johansson is better without the Russian accent from the first movie, and Anthony Mackie as the BEE addition Falcon has the heart for it.
Yet anyone whose watched the cartoon series or picked up a comic book knows who the mysterious “winter soldier” is, it’s not much of a mystery even though the film tries to play it as such. There’s a lot that the film thinks is intrigue but comes across as very standard fare predicatable action movie clichés.
So yes there’s action and some witty banter, but once you step out of the cinema nothing from the movie stays with you, except for the mid credit preview of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver known as son and daughters of Magneto from Xmen appear (some intriguing ideas coming up for Avengers 2) .
Yet for all its social commentary the film is a true pop corn film, very filling on entertainment but light on substance. So if you want a safe action movie that does not take you to any place uncomfortable or challenging then Captain America: The Winter Soldier is that for you.
Rating: **1/2
*junk **almost bearable ***now we cooking ****almost perfect *****classic ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++