Reel Reviews: Captain America-The Winter Soldier

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Reel Reviews

Movie: Captain America-The Winter Soldier

Release Date: 4th April 2014

Director: Anthony and Joe Russo

Cast: Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Sebastian Stan as James Buchanan 'Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Falcon, Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, Frank Grillo as Brock Rumlow, Emily VanCamp as Agent 13/Sharon Carter, Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Toby Jones as Arnim Zola, GSP as Batroc, Stan Lee as Security Guard, Ed Brubaker as Scientist, Thomas Kretschmann as Baron Von Strucket, Aaron Johnson as Quicksilver, Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch with Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce and Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury

Genre: Comic Book

Score:  9.0/10 (w/out vfx 9.1)

Pros:-Much of the film especially the first half has an espionage thriller tone to it that makes it seem fresh as a superhero feature

          -Writers explore and delve into a lot of serious themes that are relative to real world problems as well as their own in film world. These are; The varying definition of freedom, Patriotism vs. Captain America's Ideal Symbolism and Trust etc.

          -Marvel's brand of humor is kept at a minimum such that it never distracts from the issues writers try to tell, and actually feel organic. This allows the narrative pace to be maintained perfectly and keep the espionage thriller tone intact

          -There is tons of world building within the film, but unlike Iron Man 2 it doesn't bog down the script. Instead the world building is kept within the narrative, pushing the characters, the film and the universe forward as a whole

          -Cap's character arc of being a tarnished symbol and the idealistic option for the world is developed well within the sub text. His relationships are kept more to the forefront, thus building from the ideas in The Avengers of a man out of time.

          -Supporting characters also get the scope of development. While not as much as it should have been, the ideas of Winter Soldier being a lost soul are ever present.  Black Widow is head and shoulders with Cap, her back story is further delved into while there is a natural progression of her arc in finding the hero within. Her dynamic with Cap is also intriguing

          -Action is mind blowing. The choreography and stunt work is exquisite, where as the camera tracks the film in a way such that it encapsulates the idea of the espionage sub genre and yet feel comic book in flavor

          -The Russo brothers visualize the best Marvel directed film, they come out of their comedic comfort zone in making a bombastic action film yet make sure the elements of the grounded humanity in the script is kept intact

          -Evans gives another stirring performance showing why he is Captain America. This is Johansson's best who does further to humanize her character while shifting in her duality. Mackie doesn't get much scope, but he brings great levity and even seriousness when needed.

          -The real show stealer is Sebastian Stan, he doesn't get much to do early on except look menacing. Yet in three scenes he brings out the characters facets from guilt to despair with great deft

          -In limited scope; Redford, Samuel L Jackson, Cobie Smulders and especially Frank Grillo leave their mark

          -Music is stirring and perfectly fits the narrative beat by beat, it's far more memorable than anything else Phase 2 has churned out

          -The VFX job is also stunning, giving the action a grandeur feel

Cons:-The second half does lose steam by becoming generic at times, the solution to the finale is too easy

           -Marvel still doesn't get its villain right, unless Hydra makes a big splash across the Universe (which the post credits scene alluded to). Even then the head as Alexander Pierce was too bland and generic

           -For a film that keeps its ideas within subtext, there's to much unnecessary exposition 

           -Like with Thor 2, Captain America develops important plot points in it's final end credits scene. Showing Winter Soldier at the Smithsonian and finding out who he really is, is an important character piece that should have been in the main feature. His main arc isn't fleshed out well enough as the title suggests, hopefully a spin off film can fix that

           -3D was highly unnecessary, the Russo's never kept it in mind when filming either

Best Scene: The final fight, as Cap gives up and tells Winter Soldier to finish him if he really doesn't remember who he is. 

Best Performance: Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America and Sebastian Stan as Bucky/Winter Soldier

Best Dialogue: 'The price of freedom is high...and it's a price I'm willing to pay!'-Steve Rogers telling the SHIELD agents that are innocent and do not know Hydra's plans

                         'This isn't the age of spies. This is not even the age of heroes. This is the age of miracles...and there's nothing more horrifying than miracles.'-Baron Von Strucker, speaking about the twins. Miracles since Marvel Studios don't have the movie rights to say Mutants.

Coolest Comic Book Reference: When Sitwell is forced to revela Hydra's targets, one of the men he mention is a certain Stephen Strange who is the hero of the mystic arts; Doctor Strange

Captain America: The Winter Soldier came out today, with already great critical praise behind it. Partially based on Ed Brubaker's similarly titled comic. It's based on the book as well as 70's and 90' stories where Cap lost faith in the system. The story sees Captain America as a part of SHIELD's espionage tactics, but when his past comes calling he must fight back for a personal reason. This film is on par with The Avengers, and kicks off not only the road to it's sequel but to Phase 3 and beyond of the MCU. 

My review is below, however this is a prototype. I wish to watch the film a second time, and if necessary I will make changes to my review after doing so. Till then, just enjoy this one! 

Story

Captain America's sequel film, sees the titular hero in a better state than his previous adventures, at least on the surface. His integration into SHIELD isn't perfect, but he makes do with what he can only be; A Soldier. But when a ghost from his past enters his life, everything begins to crumble around him as he realizes the failures of his sacrifice and the might of his old enemies. Can Captain America trust anyone anymore, and can he salvage those he loves and the past he desperately clings onto.

Marvel's patriotic sequel is a film that fits and changes the universe its situated in, and it does so with a tone that is consistent within the franchise yet something that has much more depth than the previous films did.

One of the best things about the Marvel movies, has been the lighter tone that incorporated the wildest superhero elements from comic books and made them plausible. This helps when they have their own established brand of humor.  Writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely do here what they couldn't in their previous Marvel scripts (Thor 2 and Captain America 1); they make the comedy organic, by simply reducing it to an acceptable level that adds levity when needed and gives the dramatic weight its space.

The best comparison would be to take it with the writers previous film Thor: The Dark World. There the dramatic points in the narrative and the comedy wasn't mixed at all, such that the tone faltered when Loki died and a few moments later Jane and Thor fell into a comedic situation. Here there's quips and few physical based scenes that seem naturally executed, such as Nick Fury's sarcasm, Cap and Widows banter, Falcon's quips and Pierce's barbs.

It's what sets the idea of the films realistic tone. Much needed, when considering the issues the writers probe into. Like with every other Marvel movie, there is a different sub genre laced into the superhero feature, here it's an espionage thriller in lieu of 70's films such as Three Days of The Condor and All the President's Men. 

Themes of corruption from within the system, higher up politics and the rules of espionage are at times heavy handed but mostly keep themselves in sub text. They regard the recent issues of the NSA spy satellite, that caused an uproar against invasion of privacy. This is done in the form of the subjective idea of freedom, and how the struggle for it causes human laws to be broken. As Captain America points out 'The Price of Freedom is high'.

It all boils down to the struggle within SHIELD, the unit that once brought The Avengers together. More so than a Captain America film, the script highlights it as a SHIELD film in its core plot. The idea that SHILED is breaking from within because of its policies, and let alone the virus it has let fester in the form of Hydra moves the film and the universe within to a darker place. 

While this may be an issue for those looking for some real Captain America, what I suggest is patience. The cost of having a universe built for a franchise of films is that not everything can be open and shut in one film, larger narratives will carry forward and pay off for those who intently follow it. Even smaller things such as back story for the likes of Black Widow to Nick Fury may get a chance to be exploited, if the audience pays attention. It may feel like an advert for the next film, and in a way it is; but when it inevitably completes we will have an overarching set of superhero films that will emulate the comics they come from.

This is why I pointed out that the world building Captain America TWS does is so magnificent, it also helps that Marvel learned from its past mistake in Iron Man 2 and integrated this building largely into the plot. 

 

Captain America and Peggy reunite in a heartbreaking moment in this film. Picture above their kiss from the first film

Yet the writers never forget development of their characters, especially not in the case of Captain America. A lot of times in the comics, Steve Rogers has lost sight of who he means simply because the world around him has changed and the American idealism he saw is for naught. Beyond being a man out of time, Steve becomes a man without a country.

Here the writers go deep into that idea, they present the dynamics of the situation with precision and highlight the dichotomy between Patriotism and the symbolism of Captain America. One is a hollow idea that requires the others idealism, Captain America is a figure fighting for the American dream that propaganda of patriotism lost in its translation.

It's so well done because Markus and McFeely tie it into the first film. They make mention of the idealism and the pure lines that the so called 'honest' times of WWII had, yet they also point out that what Cap did scars him and was no less questionable as now. The big gut wrenching know for the character being; his initial sacrifice at the end of the first film, turned into a saving grace for Hydra to re-emerge and take over. 

 

There was more to these pulpy montages than we know

Not that the writers lose sight of the Captain America from previous films. We see that this is a man who has accepted his fate as a man from a lost generation, yet under the surface there's so much more. One scene early in the film adds endless amount of breadth to this. Cap visits his old flame Peggy, and Cap notes that she owes him a dance. She coughs up, awakens and it seems that she has an issue with her memory. She notes how the world has changed and how Steve himself can never fully be found or saved. It's simply heartbreaking and makes the viewer realize that Cap will always carry the baggage of the past as a characteristic. This all ties into the other titular character and somewhat the biggest disappointment of the film.

The Winter Soldier

For a character so prevalent in the promotional material and on the title of the film. The Winter Soldier barely gets any screen time, and when he does; for the first half he's mostly a silent killer like The Terminator.

There's a lot to explore with the character, and no denying that it would be better of done in an altogether separate solo film. But the worst Marvel did was to leave out the resolution of Bucky's arc in the end credits scene, after everyone has practically left the theaters (I sat there alone waiting, while cleaners looking at me bemused). 

 

The theory of him being a man without a past to hold onto which at least even Cap has, are omnipresent but unfortunately are too shallow. Three scenes vitalize the core of who the Winter Soldier is, and the importance of Bucky to Cap and his own arc. All thanks to Sebastian Stan that those scenes at least work to salvage what the script doesn't try or do. 

On paper, Winter Soldier should have been the next great villain for Marvel after Loki thanks to his unbreakable ties to the lead protagonist. But Marvel once again disappoints by reaching to high.

And where do they reach for?

Hydra.

 

The Major HYDRA members from the comics, I know Viper (woman in green suit), Madame Hydra and Baron Von Strucker (man with a monocle)

Now Hydra could have been big, if it weren't for the fact that the finale solves the issue quite easily for now. Sure Hydra is still kicking, they have agents left on AoS on TV and Baron Von Strucker is seemingly a threat on the wings. But Hydra's take down in the film was underwhelming, even when considering the mastermind behind them.

A generic bland bad guy politician type. It's a wasted opportunity considering the resources marvel have with them, the plethora of characters possible to use for Hydra. Ranging from Madame Hydra, Baron Zemo heck Von Strucker (who is in the film) and maybe even Red Skull. Pierce is simply there to give the happy ending and nothing else. This idea allows Marvel to incorporate Hydra but destroy them such that Cap can get busy in the next film, and Hydra factor as a non issue or a small issue when Ultron, then Thanos come around.

The overarching theme of not taking everything at face value from Phase 2 is blown wide here. But an overarching villain as Hydra would have been much fun to see at a later phase, still that can happen.

Beyond Cap, Winter Soldier and Hydra, the supporting cast get some interesting development for future films. Black Widow is as much a part of the film as Captain America. Their dynamic is well explored, and while it veers close to romantic tension, it thankfully doesn't amount to much more but crafting character chemistry between the two. 

Her arc though is well defined and her back story helps add dimensions to it, yet the writers insist to keep her shrouded in mystery which helps elevate the idea for a tantalizing solo film (prequel or spin-off). Captain America is a plot point to urge Black Widow, to find the hero within her and also let go of her past like Cap is trying too. It's also great to see that the film lets her kick ass, but at the same time paints the facets necessary in making Black Widow by pointing out her intelligence and inherent humanity. She's closer than ever to becoming a true Avenger.

Nick Fury is also fleshed out much better, as a man guilt ridden with mistakes and way out of his depth now. Yet we also get the idea of how far Fury can go, when he pulls the old comic book trick of pretending to be dead. It might deflate the stakes of the universe, but it's keeping within character for Fury.

Even new entry Sam Wilson gets a bit, about being a loyal friend and hero, nothing much but enough to begin with. Among the world building, there's much to do with characters. Sharon Carter is introduced as a love interest while Brock Rumlow's fate is left open for a future costumed villainous turn as Crossbones. Even Arnim Zola returns in his comic book hologram form. While tonally stilted, it alludes to a precursor idea for Ultron in the Avengers sequel and was a fun moment to criticize. As I jumped on my seat when I saw how perfectly they adapted the character from the comics in a plausible (As possible) manner. Hopefully he isn't actually dead as the bombing suggests, in that scene.

Back to the problems.

Much of the first half was great thanks to the tone. But the third act with all the amazing razzle and dazzle still feels generic in conception, it isn't original as the action in the beginning was and takes the script a notch down.

For a film that also is high on substance, the dialogues at times veer into blockbuster exposition theory where many things are explained. Certain elements, like Winter Soldier's impact on history and Black Widows story of her old confrontation with him are said and not shown. Which could have been much more effective visually.

Overall, this is a much better script than any of the previous films. It falters and makes the mistakes that the previous ones do; bland villains, generic third act and expository dialogue but it also has more substance that relates to real world issues and some great depth in character.

Score: 8.9/10

 

 

Direction

 

 

 

For a film that keeps itself in line with much of the Marvel formula, it's surprising that this is the best directed film in the MCU. This is because the Russo brothers manage to work within the guidelines of the studio, while leaving their own stamp on proceedings through their prior technical knowledge and them going beyond what their known for.

The directors of comedy series such as Arrested Development and Community, bring their aesthetic sensibilities and weave it into the film when necessary. A fine example of this is the camera work, it has that sort of documentary shooting style that made AD so unique and incorporating it into the action in finesse form highlighting the whole espionage template. It gives the action and as a whole the narrative a perfectly feverish pace.

Even with their comedic background, they are able to highlight the character moments with intriguing dramatics and humanize the reality of the picture. The character and subtext is well visualized without being too in your face, and all the credit for that goes to the Russo's. The capture the emotional drive of certain scenes without forcing it such as the heart to heart between Steve and Peggy and the despair that the lost Bucky feels within The Winter Soldier himself.

But it's the big blockbuster action where they excel, moving from the comfort of small scale sitcoms they go into the action with guns blazing. Everything is visually stunning, kudos to the Russo's who use practical action for much of the film. From Nick Fury's car chase to the fist fighting, it's all energetic stunt work and intricate choreography by the action unit.

The only part where the seams split is in the final action sequence. Here you can notice the CGI fest going on, and from within pops the basic Marvel factory model climax yet even then Russo's make it worth looking at. 

To conclude, Russo's straddle the strict lines of Marvel's vision and mold a movie to their tastes and senses. It makes for a great artistic viewing, as well as thematic film for the overall franchises. Also to note, the Russo's love the 70's thriller concept and comics, and it shows in the references they put out (expanded on below).

Score: 9.4/10

Performances

With the performances let's begin with the supporting cast and cameos. Maximilo Hernandez shows a side we didn't see the character of Sitwell having prior, it was fun how seeing his sinister smile then shit scared face. Toby Jones makes a convincing cameo as Arnim Zola, his voice works well as the cackling hologram fiend from the comics, hopefully there's more to come.

Robert Redford makes an extended appearance as the main villain Alexander Pierce. While his character is bland and bad, he endows him with better dimensions thanks to the subtle natural performance. You can see this is a fun test for the iconic actor rather than just a paycheck or a meaty role to sink into. You also notice the gleefulness he gets in playing a character so ironic to his own legendary roles from the seventies.

Cobie Smulders is far more refined here then she was in Avengers. Without any of the writing helping, she manages to humanize Maria Hill as well. Samuel L Jackson gets much more to do in this film, and unlike the times he phoned it in before here his effort is good enough. Frank Grillo pushes hard to make you want to see him return in a future film. Anthony Mackie is a highlight in the action scenes and has great comic timing to boot, his chemistry with Evans is fun filled and enticing for the future.

Johansson is better than ever, her character gets to be real (without being a punch line) and is filled with dimensions. She then gives the character the space to grow and the definition to be full realized on screen. She makes her kick ass yet also be vulnerable to a new world and her old ties. It's a profound performance that helps her strike in the courtroom scene resonate.

I couldn't decide who really had the best performance; Evans, Johansson, Redford or Stan. But in his limited scope, Sebastian Stan does what the script requires of him and then also proceeds to go toe the dark depths to understand and present his character. Three key scenes and a post credit sting help Stan show who Winter Soldier is more than the film and studio dares to allow. 

  

Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier in the climax when Cap reminds him that he is Bucky

The first is when he is on the experimental chair, Stan simply uses his eyes to evoke the desperation and despair Bucky goes through within the mindless robot that Winter Soldier is. The second is a scene from the past, where both Stan and Evans elevate the friendship of their character through sheer chemistry. Something that should have been placed in the first film, so that the Bucky is Winter Soldier twist would have had a greater impact. The third is when he is in the final battle against Cap, his hesitance and break down is seeped with guilt by the way in which Stan delivers the dialogue and handles his body language.

And in a post credits scene, that Marvel should have put in the main feature. Sebastian Stan once again uses his eyes to express the vacant sadness Bucky feels when he sees who he was (At the Smithsonian museum honoring Cap and his friends) and can't remember it. To top it all off, through ought the picture as the titular villain he is freaking menacing.

 

You knew Cap can kick ass, but did you know he can speechify like a bad ass too?

Unlike last time, Evans doesn't have to prove why he is a perfect fit for the Sentinel of Liberty. Here he takes all the small character beats and really breaks them down with his sublime showing. Character moments allow Evans to present his growth as an actor. Watch him when he's with Peggy, it's a scene of sheer heartbreak and Evans conveys that with honesty. Another scene is his walk through the Smithsonian presentation honoring him, here his language expresses a wide range of emotions from pride to regret. His big speech where he ousts Hydra and Pierce could have been heavy handed, but Evans delivery gives it conviction. He also crafts a sizzling chemistry with Scarlett who he has worked with in multiple films. This helps seep in the natural comedy that Cap unwittingly creates, due to his old age.

Overall, I will need to catch that second viewing to make sure I'm right about this; that this is a huge cast in which all actors perform really well and accordingly to the screen time they have

Score: 9.1/10

Sound/Score

 

Unlike the previous Phase 2 films, Captain America's was much more memorable. It fit well into the core drive of the narrative such that it created that espionage feel during many sequences especially the opening.

Henry Jackman also elevates it to a grandiose level when the dramatic tension between Cap and Bucky reaches its peak in the finale. The tunes popping out when Cap is buried deep in the waters are reminiscent of those thoughtful showy moments in big films.

This is the best score that Marvel has churned out period, they should hire Henry Jackman if he does better in another theme so as to bring unison to their pictures. Music could really do that well.

Score: 9.1/10

 

VFX

As mentioned previously, VFX isn't really that much prominent until the finale. The smaller bits first. The CGI incorporated on Haley Atwell crafts a realistic illusion of an older Peggy Carter yet capture enough of Atwell to leave her essence. Cap's Shield is once again handled perfectly in motion, as are Falcon's wings and Winter Soldier's arm. 

 

As a budding animator, I know the effort that would go into making such mind blowing CGI for the set pieces. They look great on screen, and even if it loses its value over the years it will still be worth the watch.

The only major issue I had was the incorporation of post production 3D. Marvel's idea to do this for sales, limits the way the directors can craft their action. It did so to Johnston in the first film, but here Russo's haven't directed with 3D in mind and as such it comes of as a gimmick more than it already is.

Score: 8.8/10

Source

The Russos love their easter eggs, and not even all of them are comic book ones! Ps: these are not in any particular order

-In the post credits scene we meet Baron Von Strucker, a leader of Hydra and one of Cap's prominent enemies. It also reveals that Hydra has access to Loki's scepter from the first Avengers, allowing them to control the twins. Is the scepter the mind gem/stone?

-His experiments are the twins AKA mutants Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver who will be in Avengers: Age of Ultron. They are called miracles instead of mutants since the rights to those are with Fox who produce X-Men films. Quicksilver will also be in the new X-Men film, portrayed by a different actor. 

-During the attack sequence launch by Hydra in the climax, one of the targets is shown to be the Stark tower from The Avengers that has been re-branded as the Avengers tower. 

-In the beginning of the film you will see Cap with a to do list of things mostly in pop culture he has to catch up on

-Batroc is a pirate in the film for the opening sequence, his attire while military in aspect apes the colors of his comic book counterpart. He is played by UFC fighter Georges St. Pierre who also gets to show of some of his MMA moves.

-Nick Fury mentions Tony Stark upgraded SHIELD helicarriers when he had an up close and personal look at them. This was a quip and reference to when Iron Man was inside the turbine engines during The Avengers Helicarrier set piece. If Tony decided to help upgrade SHIELD weapons, could it mean in the spare time he also made Ultron for SHIELD AKA Hydra?

-In a heart wrenching moment Steve tells an old dying Peggy that she still owes him a dance, a call back to their agreement in the first film. Peggy also co-founded SHIELD

-More in world references, as characters constantly spout the names of Iron Man and Bruce Banner

-The asshole Senator Stern from Iron Man 2 appears in the film as an undercover agent of Hydra

-When Widow and Cap find an old SHIELD base, they meet a computer that chats with them like in the film 'War Games' which Widow mentions

-That computer turns into a holographic Arnim Zola, just like his comic book form. This part made me giddy. 

-Zola explains Winter Soldiers duty as an assasain for Hydra through the years, and whose put on ice when not in use just like the comics. He is also said to be the killer of Tony Stark's parents, which would be great drama for latter films.

-Stan Lee makes his mandatory cameo but so does the creator of Winter Soldier (not Bucky) Ed Brubaker as a scientist working on the Winter Soldier in the film

-Black Widow is seen wearing an arrow necklace, this from Hawkeye?

-Like with the first film, Stan's Bucky gets hold of the Shield once again showing he could pose as a great Captain America once Evans hangs the shield up

-Sitwell mentions Stephen Strange AKA Doctor Strange as a Hydra target

-Brock Rumlow wears a military suit with a cross on his chest, he survives but is badly burnt. He will likely be a future villain as Crossbones

-Sharon when asked on a date by Steve mentions her aunt (Peggy) and reveals herself during Fury's 'death' as Agent 13 AKA Sharon Carter

-Nick Fury presumably dies but has tricked everyone, this is just like Fury from the comics. When he goes off grid, he required a fake tombstone for him. Notice the stone and you will see the words 'The path of the righteous man...', it's a part of the speech Jackson's character Jules makes in Pulp Fiction

-Abed from Community (thanks to directors Russo's) makes a cameo as a Shield agent

-SHIELD's main base is the Triskelion like in the comics

-Robert Redford himself. A staple hero of 70's espionage thrillers, he would have been a perfect Captain America. Now he's the villain of such a film? Oh Irony you little genius. 

 

Hopefully In a second viewing I can find more easter eggs!

'Nuff Said

Aneesh Raikundalia