*UPDATE* – I recently spoke to Henry Jackman who composed the score for The Winter Soldier. Its a great indepth interview and to listen all you have to do is Subscribe on iTunes – Click here (Click view in iTunes and the click Subscribe) If you’re already a subscriber, the latest episode is ready to download.
Find the biggest hat you have, put it on your head and tip it. Now when you’re finished that hat tip, do it again. Marvel Studios really have the Pixar effect. With only a slight misstep with Iron Man 2, they have gone from strength to strength, not to mention making a few bucks in the process. Captain America The Winter Solider marks the half way point in Marvel’s Phase Two (Guardians Of The Galaxy and Avengers Age Of Ultron completes the second phase) and holy crap, does it make a mark! So much so that on your way out, you’ll buy another ticket to see it again.
Set two years after The Avengers had a little skirmish in New York City, Steve Rogers is now finding himself in the real world and carries a notebook around with him full of reminders of things to do, watch and listen to. But things aren’t peaceful for long as alongside Natasha Romanoff, Captain America finds himself being a target for elimination as he uncovers something that can endanger the entire planet. And as if things aren’t bad enough, The Winter Solider turns up and proves himself quite the bad ass and quite the adversary.
While its been called a political thriller, which instantly evokes thoughts of smoky rooms and fat politicians, it really isn’t. If anything, its a bit more intellectual than previous Marvel movies (not to say they were dumbed down or anything) and this showcases the natural evolution of the studio and their brand, and its certainly very brave, as they turn new corners instead keeping on the straight and narrow. For a so called “political thriller” its got phenomenal set pieces, some which would equal the level of madness and destruction we’ve seen in The Avengers. From an attack on Nick Fury to a bunch of Helicarriers falling out of the sky, not to mention some amazingly choreographed fight sequences, The Winter Solider will keep you on the edge of your seat time and time again.
Directors (and brothers) Joe and Anthony Russo have done a pretty impressive balancing act here and in fact they walk a very fine line throughout. No scene is dragged out and nothing feels too long. And when you think that things are about to be prolonged, BANG! It tears off and rips along. The pacing is really, really well done. As a matter of fact, everything is really well done here. Its as impressive visually, and one of the reasons for this is that the Russo brothers relied on minimal use of CGi, so there is a very real feel to it. However, it wasn’t possible for them to get Cap’s shield to fly all over the place without some computer aided assitance, and that iconic shield is finally used to maximum potential. Its safe to say that Cap uses his shield more here than The Avengers and the original Cap movie, combined.
Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L Jackson all return and at this stage it really is hard to imagine anybody else playing these characters on screen. Maybe its the new hair–do, but Scarlett Johansson is incredibly sexy here and is kicking some serious ass throughout. Evans just embodies Captain America and brings an innocent awkwardness to the character, that is a perfect fit for a guy well outside of his “timezone”. Anthony Mackie makes his Marvel debut (which could have been short lived as he nearly killed himself during a stunt which saw him collide with a van) as Falcon and just like in the comics, has a fantastic chemistry with Cap. But he really comes into his own once he gets his wings and is part of the amazing spectacle in those wonderful set pieces. And Robert Redford looks like he had an absolute blast as, Alexander Pierce, a senior leader with S.H.I.E.L.D.
If you know the story of The Winter Solider then you’ll know exactly what to expect, and its really well done. If you know nothing of the comic, which is widely regarded as one of the best Cap stories, then you’re in for a treat as theres a few little twists along the way that will certainly open your eyes.
This is one of the best comic book movies to date. Its non-stop entertainment, has superb set pieces and has two pretty awesome post credits sequences, one which is directed by none other than Joss Whedon! The Winter Solider is Captastic! Marvel have done it again! Check this out!!!
