Arts and Entertainment

Winter Soldier shows Marvel at best

By Brian Burns '17

Marvel Studios changed the modern superhero movie by introducing a shared universe for its characters—a strategy which culminated in 2012’s The Avengers.  The studio has proven so successful with the so-called Marvel Cinematic Universe that other studios are hastening to emulate their formula (Sony plans to release a series of Spider Man spin-offs, while DC intends to throw two of its franchises together in the untitled Batman-Superman team-up movie set for 2016).  Marvel Studios is clearly at the head of the pack when it comes to well-built men fighting each other.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier demonstrates why Marvel Studios is currently at the top of its game, for it is the most confident effort yet from the studio.  The film not only shows off the meticulous construction of the Marvel universe so far—it also has the gaul to tear it all to pieces.

Winter Soldier picks up where The Avengers left of, with super-buff WWII veteran Steve Rogers having awoken in the present day, forced to adjust to the modern age of drone warfare and Wikileaks.  It is difficult to describe the plot, which involves corruption in the spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D., without getting into spoiler territory.  Basically, Winter Soldier takes the framework of a political thriller and adds more punching.

The action in Winter Soldier makes it indistinguishable from a super-powered Bourne movie—it is hard-hitting, and proves that Marvel was right to hire (of all people) the directors of You, Me and Dupree, Joe and Anthony Russo.  Perhaps most vitally, the fight scenes do not all descend into CGI chaos (although there certainly is some of that in the third act). They are varied and driven by the intense emotions of the characters.  It far exceeds the shield-tossing that dominated Captain America: The First Avenger, even if the shaky-cam of this sequel can be a bit indecipherable compared to the fluid framework of the first film.

However, it is the quieter moments of The Winter Soldier that elevate it above fellow post-Avengers movies such as Iron Man 3 and Thor 2.  Among the most impressive scenes are those that feature Captain looking at his own display in the Smithsonian or standing at the bedside of his love interest from the ’40s.  The revelation of the Winter Soldier’s true identity (a secret that any comic book fan already knows) is a source of pathos for Cap’, and the film has a climax that is more based in emotion than any in the Marvel universe since the first Captain America.  Despite having its fair share of bombast, this superhero sequel understands the importance of reflection.

Evans fully embodies the spirit of Captain America, never pushing his retro naiveté to the point of corniness.  Anthony Mackie is a fun addition to the cast as Falcon, a foil for Cap’ who shares his military background.  Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow has some memorable moments (her constant badgering of Cap’ to just go out on a date is one of the best running jokes of the film) and is still the requisite butt-kicker, but the strength of the character begs for her to have a full-fledged subplot of her own.  Hopefully the next Avengers movie (scheduled to come out next May) will rectify that.  Robert Redford as Alexander Pearce is more than a smarmy, mustachiod villain (making him better than both Malekith in Thor 2 and Guy Pearce’s character in Iron Man 3), but he’s confined by the subtle nature of the role.  Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury has never been more mesmorizing in a Marvel movie, and keep your eyes peeled for a Pulp Fiction reference near the end of the film.

It is clear two years later that Marvel Studios wasn’t content to pop the champagne when The Avengers became the third highest grossing film of all time.  The studio has attempted to paint in bolder colors with its sequels since that superhero team-up, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the pinnacle of that mission statement.  On the eve of its biggest risk yet, Guardians of the Galaxy (if you don’t know who they are, you’re not alone), Marvel Studios continues to prove that the greatest superpower a media empire can have is quality control.

As with all Marvel movies, make plans to sit through the credits.

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