This weekend, Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier finally hit theaters here in the US. As for why Captain AMERICA was released in America seemingly last, let’s call that irony; but one thing is for certain: It is worth the wait in every way. Between its stunning cast, heart-racing action, and a plot line so developed it completely outshines anything Marvel Studios produced before, it’s easy to see why this movie is already breaking records.
What makes Marvel Studios’ films different is that they aren’t the run-of-the-mill ‘superhero movies’. Marvel has done a great job grounding their films in reality and building upon it in each feature. In order to do so, the films had to be more than just ‘hey, there’s a superhero and a villain’. Ironman (the techno drama), Thor (the fantasy adventure), and Captain America (the period piece).
Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier continues this tradition and becomes the most dynamic of the series yet – the Political Thriller. Whether you’re a fan of superhero movies or not, you’ll still love this film. At times, it feels as though you’re watching the Bourne trilogy, Mission Impossible, and James Bond: Skyfall all rolled into one.
Plot:
I have been a huge fan of Marvel Studio films ever since I saw Ironman back in 2008, and I can say beyond a reasonable doubt that this movie has the best plot of any Marvel film yet. In fact, this movie has more plot than most movies you’ve probably seen in quite a while.
Without giving anything away, this movie continues what Avengers started. It is just as much a S.H.I.E.L.D. movie as it is about Captain America coming to terms with his past and adjusting to life after being frozen for 70 years. So when you get in the theater, get ready for a plot like no other. It’s fast-paced, with out being rushed. It’s full of action and humor, yet remains serious and intellectual. It’s a good-ole Marvel film, and yet changes everything.
Changing A Universe:
If you don’t see Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier for all of the amazing things I’ve just mentioned, then see it for the future. This film not only sets up for Avengers 2: Age of Ultron, but literally changes everything you thought you knew about the Marvel Universe.
Characters:
Of course Steve Rogers/Captain America (played by the heroice Chris Evans), Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (played by the beautiful Scarlett Johansson), and Nick Fury (played by the legendary Samuel L. Jackson) all return in this film; but it is the addition of several new characters that is truly impressive.
Robert Redford gets to showcase his brilliant talents as Alexander Pierce, while newcomer Anthony Mackie makes an incredible stand as Sam Wilson (aka Falcon). Though let’s not forget Cobie Smulders, who returns as Maria Hill. In the Avengers, she was kind of just in the background, but here Smulders shines and shows just who she really is.
In fact, that’s possibly the greatest thing about this movie for the die-hard fans. We get to learn so much of our heroes real selves in one movie, and it just seems right. No crammed character development. It all just feels right – more like awesome. Speaking of which, the interaction between the characters is second to none, especially Captain America and Black Widow.
Non-stop action, humor, heartbreak, and intrigue that’s sure to keep you guessing until the very last second. This movie has everything anyone could possibly want in a film and more; and yet still makes it seem natural and not crammed. The Russo brothers truly out did themselves with this one. With this film already breaking presale records and living up to all the hype, it’s safe to say that these directors know what they’re doing; and I can’t wait for Captain America 3 – due out on May 6, 2016.
Post Credits:
This is a Marvel movie, so clearly don’t leave the theatre until the credits end and lights come up. There is a mid-credits scene and a post-credits scene. So stay seated!
And if you have seen this movie already, then you already know what I’m talking about. So be sure to check out the Top 5 Greatest Moments of this film.
The Insightful Panda 
Pretty good review for a panda!
That being said, you could’ve explained what a ‘run-of-the-mill’ superhero movie is, because from almost all angles Marvel’s movies are run-of-the-mill. In fact, they’re about as mainstream as a blockbuster movie can get. They’re just the best examples of them.
I can’t think of too many offbeat superhero movies, although one that comes to mind now is Ang Lee’s ‘Hulk’, which fans didn’t like. And away from Marvel/DC characters, a movie like Kick-Ass wouldn’t be run-of-the-mill.
haha thanks and good point. Sorry about that, I’ll try to explain: When I think of run of the mill superhero movie, I think of all the failed ones lol All the ones the have nothing to offer but a superhero: Green Lantern, Batman & Robin, Fantastic Four. Movies that don’t have much of a plot beyond action action and more action; and whose only really focus is just ‘superhero’ and ‘outlandish villains’. With Marvel, you come for the story, the bigger universe and also the actors who truly embody the role. You know that it’s lading somewhere and is trying to ground everything in a true sense of realism, rather than just chalking things up to ‘eh, they’re super!’ or ‘the magic of radiation’. Thats why that first Hulk movie was so bad, because it just didn’t make sense. He inherited his fathers spliced genes and got some more of his own? The newer Hulk had a serum that was an attempt to replicate the one of Captain America – even though it hadn’t been released yet.
Maybe if I explain it as Marvel ‘redefining’ the Superhero genre. The run-of the mill Superhero movies all used big name heroes. The ones people knew of the most. Prior to Marvel movies, no one really knew Ironman, Thor, etc. They certainly weren’t as A list as Spiderman, Batman, etc who had countless TV shows beforehand. So thats what I mean. They can’t just rely on the superhero name alone to make these movies popular, they need something more. Something that all those other movies didn’t have that these new ones would need if they would have a chance. And in the end, that was more substance for story. More realism. In short, they’re general movie style that just so happen to have a superhero in them. Which is why this felt very much like a Bourne-style movie, but just with a heroic super soldier.
Hope that helped to explain it a bit more. If not, I’ll give it another shot haha 🙂