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Marvel’s new film strongest yet

What do you get when you take an old super soldier from the 40s, two trained assassins, an ex-military officer, a government organization and the aftermath of an old war still affecting the world? If you said Captain America: The Winter Soldier, then you’re correct. The formula is an odd one, but the resulting movie is incredible.

The movie follows Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (played by Chris Evans), as he goes about his life after being frozen in ice for many years and being in the battle seen in The Avengers.

Steve is now working for S.H.I.E.L.D, or Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, the government agency that has been appearing throughout the Marvel movies and has it’s own TV show (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.).

S.H.I.E.L.D. is juggling the aftermath of the events in Avengers, Thor: The Dark World,, and trying to keep up with the fact that the world now has so called “super heroes” and that life exists on places beyond earth.

Steve, along with Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), goes on a simple hostage rescue mission for S.H.I.E.l.D. But as it usually is with secret organizations, there’s more than meets the eye here. Old secrets begin to appear and unravel, and it’s quickly discovered that the pieces from the past are still in play.

Seeing the actors from The Avengers, Captain America, and Agents of S.H.I.E.l.D. return for the movie is a treat. They all reprise their roles fantastically, and all bring their characters back to life with new character development on the big screen.

The Winter Soldier (who’s actor will remain unnamed, for the sake of the plot), a steel-hearted assassin who is great at what he does, is portrayed particularly well. He conveys his emotions (or lack of, in some instances) beautifully despite having a mask for part of the film.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a comic book movie that doesn’t feel like a comic book movie, and it’s a good thing. It’s one of the more grounded Marvel movies, in a sense. Instead of super villains with big plots and teamed up super heroes, this sequel movie gives you the after math of a war and a secret agency collapsing in on itself. — Emily Ladd, writer

The movie also sees the introduction of a new character, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). Sam joins the little band of heroes and fits in well and acted wonderfully with a snarky sense of humor that adds to the movie’s banter.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a comic book movie that doesn’t feel like a comic book movie, and it’s a good thing. It’s one of the more grounded Marvel movies, in a sense. Instead of super villains with big plots and teamed up super heroes, this sequel movie gives you the after math of a war and a secret agency collapsing in on itself.

Think the Bourne movie trilogy meets the first Captain America movie. While the fantasy and sci-fi elements are still there, it’s a definite change of pace is a good one. Captain America: The Winter Soldier exceeds the quality of the first movie and is possibly the best stand-alone hero Marvel movie since Iron Man.

Like comics themselves, you can watch this movie but may not pick up on a few things. It’s a bit like joining a TV show mid-season, or reading a comic series starting in the middle. You can pick things up quickly, but some elements will go over your head or not seem connected. I recommend watching Captain America and The Avengers if you haven’t seen them already before watching this film.

Marvel has created a strong, well supported movie universe for themselves. Like the hashtag Marvel has been using on it’s social media sites, it’s all connected. The movies and the show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. all link together, like small snapshots of stories all from the same universe. I can’t wait to see what chapter comes next in Marvel’s story.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier runs at 136 minutes and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, gunplay and action throughout.

Follow The Feather via Twitter and Instagram: @thefeather and @thefeatheronline. This writer can be reached via Twitter: @ejLadd

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