Be forewarned, this post contains heavy spoilers. It’s meant for people who have seen the film, and to foster discussion. If you haven’t seen the movie and don’t want it ruined for you, please, come back after you’ve seen the movie.
You have been warned.
For me, most of the Marvel films have been decent fun but not exceptional. I felt the first Iron Man and The Avengers were the best of the lot. Thor comes in somewhere after that, with the second Thor film trailing somewhere behind. Everything else has been decent, though I can certainly appreciate the meta-plot that interconnects the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I felt Captain America: The First Avenger was probably one of the worst films in the series. I wanted to like the character, but there was something about the movie that just seemed a bit off. There were definitely elements of the first Captain America that I liked, but I felt for the most part, it was there as an origins story. But it didn’t make me really love Steve Rogers as a character. Even in the Avengers, Captain America seemed out of place.
Well, Captain America: The Winter Soldier changes all of that. Captain America is now fucking awesome. I don’t know what it is. But I felt like this movie really gave the character a chance to breathe. We get to see Steve Rogers as a man, torn from everything he knows and loves, and thrust into a new world. For the most part, he copes with it well. But we got to see some real moments of vulnerability. I loved the scene where he was sitting with the love of his life, Peggy Carter. It was a beautifully acted scene and absolutely pitiful. I really felt for Cap and Peggy. It was tragic.
I also loved the scene where Steve kept passing the Sam Wilson while the two were out jogging (and how the statement, “I’m on your left” comes into play at the end of the film). That was the first of many scenes where we got to see that Captain America really is a super human. Somehow, his fights and movements seemed more believable than other superhero films, as Cap really took a beating at times. I loved that, as it made him more believable and even relatable as a character.
It was also hilarious seeing Steve take notes on movies and music that he needed to catch up on (as he missed the last 70 years of entertainment and history).
All the fights were well done, and I loved seeing Captain America use the hell out of his shield. He just beat the shit out of people and it was so fun to watch! I loved seeing him ricochet the shield off enemies and walls, then deftly catch it like a bad ass. And seeing him take down the gun ship was both ridiculous and awesome.
Don’t even get me started on the scenes with Bucky, a.k.a., The Winter Soldier. Every time he was on-screen, there was some serious destruction. I loved the fights between him and Cap, especially the one we saw on trailers where it comes down to a knife. Bucky just kept rolling with everything he had. And if his arsenal of weapons weren’t enough, the man himself was a walking weapon.
I was also digging that pieces of who he was started to surface, but barely. And I really liked that in the end, Captain America refused to fight his friend. Bucky beat him senseless as a result and it was pretty brutal to watch. I really felt bad for all the hell Bucky’s been through and Sebastian Stan (who played him) did a great job.
It was refreshing to see how Captain America won in this movie, because it was his values not physical prowess that saved the day. Steve let the Winter Soldier beat his ass, because he refused to fight his friend. THAT was awesome. And it’s what made me finally appreciate and understand the character. He stands for what he believes in. I can dig that.
I’m really interested in seeing the next Captain America film, as this installment hinted at MORE Winter Soldier action as Cap plans to go and find his old friend. I’m interested in seeing how that’ll go though, or any other Marvel film based on Earth as S.H.I.E.L.D. gets disbanded! I did not see that one coming! It makes you what will happen with the t.v. show and all that.
I haven’t followed the comics closely, so I have no idea if S.H.I.E.L.D. will get resurrected or what.
Only critiques I really had were small. Robert Redford’s character was predictably bad. And the rationale for those who follow HYDRA, though crazy, kind of makes sense, but it’s still kind of stupid. It was also kind of dumb seeing Redford mutter, “Hail Hydra” with his last breath. That felt a bit goofy and out of place to be honest.
I mean, yes, it was obvious this was a comic movie (especially with the aforementioned scene), but I felt for the most part, it was more of an espionage/action thriller with sci-fi elements. It was really fascinating. I loved seeing more of the human side of the Marvel Universe and with Captain America, we get to see some of that. He’s a hero that straddles both worlds, the real one we live in, and the fantastic crazy Marvel one. I really dig that. More than any other film in this setting, The Winter Soldier was the first to make it feel like a living, breathing space for me. And it made me finally appreciate Captain America as a character.
Long and short, I’m really excited for the next Marvel film. Bring on Guardians of the Galaxy!
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