Cast: Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Robert Redford, Samuel L Jackson
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
The Winter Soldier is the most famous of Captain America storylines. It is also probably the most controversial. No one remains dead in comics. But bringing back one of the most beloved characters in the mythos, one whose death is pivotal in how the hero turns out, is a rather dangerous task. I read it with a more-than-healthy dose of scepticism, but was surprised at how fast-paced and interesting the book was. It was a given that Winter Soldier would make its way to the MCU sooner rather than later.
Captain America aka Steve Rogers (Evans) has settled into his life in the 21st century. He takes part in missions for SHIELD and in his free time catches up on all the books, songs and movies he had missed out on during his beauty sleep. He shares a flirtatious relationship with Natasha Romanoff aka the Black Widow (Johansson), a respectful, yet testy one with Nick Fury (Jackson) and a friendly one with Air Force veteran Sam Wilson (Mackie). Fury is attacked by a bunch of goons led by a masked man with a metal arm. Alexander Pierce (Redford), Fury’s boss, suspects Rogers of covering up info that could catch the culprits. He sends SHIELD agents after Captain America who goes on the run.
The recent re-watch prompted a re-evaluation. Just like Iron Man 3. However, in this case, my feelings for the movie went the other way. While watching it for the first time, until the last 30 minutes, I felt like I was watching the best Marvel movie. That has tempered over time. It is still a damn good three-quarters of a film, but the Russos were still in college mode. They hadn’t graduated.
The last half an hour is still a problem, though. Making a machine that will kill your enemies is one thing, but to kill them from the air via guns, that is a bit too much to stomach. Of course, the premise makes for a very interesting problem-solving. But the payback for the audience is disappointing.
Chris Evans firmly puts all questions to rest, as to who the second-most popular Avenger is. That earnestness, that is evident to even the casual observer, is both him and Captain America. This is also when Captain America, Orator Extraordinary, made his presence really felt.
Sebastian Stan has his moment in the sun. unfortunately, charisma is not something that can be willed into existence. We like him, but we can’t love him. Samuel L Jackson is at his scenery-chewing best. Robert Redford must have been intrigued as to why they would want him in a comic book movie, but he doesn’t let that affect his performance. Anthony Mackie is solid as a fan-favourite character. Scarlett Johansson is all coy and witty. But I have been told her makeup is pretty bad in this movie.
The visual effects raised the bar for a Marvel movie. The interplay between action and the pauses are really good. The decision taken to destroy a major part of the Marvel world is admirable. It had its repercussions in the TV series also. The Russo brothers arrive in the Marvel world with an almighty statement. And, as we saw, they intended to stay for a while.
Stan Lee cameo: I am so fired up seeing this one. This is how you do a good cameo. Funny and meaning something. But is this museum guard the same WW2 veteran?
Post-credits scene: The mid-credits scene, directed by Joss Whedon, doesn’t seem like an after-thought. It is literally an epilogue to Avengers: Age of Ultron. We see the twins, who are actually children of Magneto. But this being the pre-takeover era, Disney couldn’t say that. The post-credits scene tells us what we always wanted to see – the Winter Soldier breaking good.
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