Captain America: The Winter Soldier Review
Introduction (Warning Contains Spoilers)
With an extended version of Avengers: Endgame arriving in cinemas this September, Marvel is attracting renewed attention.
Avengers: Doomsday is also scheduled for December.
That makes this the perfect time for another journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We have decided to revisit the Marvel films in chronological order.
Our journey now brings us to 2014 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The film is the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger.
Joe and Anthony Russo directed the film. Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely returned as writers.
The cast includes Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie. Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford and Cobie Smulders also appear.
The film continues Steve Rogers’ story after the events of The Avengers. Steve lives in the modern world now.
However, he has difficulties understanding the surrounding society. Times have changed significantly since his era.
In addition, the power of S.H.I.E.L.D. has increased greatly. Nick Fury thinks that such power is required to ensure global security.
Steve does not believe it that much. He gets confirmed in his thoughts when S.H.I.E.L.D. suffers an internal attack. Steve gets classified as a fugitive.
Everything that he had thought about the organization comes into question.
Natasha Romanoff becomes one of his key allies. They discover a conspiracy that goes way up the chain at S.H.I.E.L.D.
Steve meets an assassin who becomes his biggest enemy. This mysterious opponent is called The Winter Soldier.
The identity of this mysterious antagonist is what provides the heart of the movie. The Winter Soldier is no ordinary villain.
He is directly tied to Steve’s past. Thus, their confrontation becomes more personal because of that.
Therefore, this film is a combination of superhero elements and a political thriller. It was a brave move on the part of Marvel.
Captain America from the previous movie was inspired by the films about World War II. The Winter Soldier is going to a totally different direction.
It reminds me of an espionage thriller. This film provides a new identity for the character.
The question is whether the Russo brothers successfully made that transition. I believe they did.
In many ways, The Winter Soldier is where Captain America truly found his modern identity.
Direction
Joe and Anthony Russo were interesting choices to direct this film. Before entering the MCU, their work was strongly associated with television comedy.
Such background would not necessarily bring to mind a political action thriller. But their knowledge about ensemble characters proved useful.
They knew how to create balance between Steve, Natasha, Fury, Sam and all other characters. Their greatest success was in creating a new atmosphere around Captain America’s universe.
The first film was a period adventure. While the sequel feels much more modern.
Russos succeeded in making the modern world feel uncertain and threatening. And Steve does not know anymore whom to trust.
Uncertainty fuels a large part of the story. They also use the personality of Steve for building tension.
Steve is an idealist by his nature.
He believes that the institutions will protect him. The conspiracy proves him wrong. It makes for an interesting plot, which is more interesting than battling another supervillain.
The film also makes Steve physically strong. The action scenes move quickly but are generally easy to understand.
The directors let the audience see what is going on.
This is especially evident during hand-to-hand combat.
There is a fight where Steve’s shield comes into use. It is used both offensively and defensively.
The choreography gives him power but does not make him invincible. One of the scenes which shows this very well is the elevator one.
In this scene Steve is up against several people. The scene emphasizes physical action more than digital effects.
It becomes more immediate and dangerous. The freeway scene goes one step further. Combining cars, explosions, and fights creates one huge action scene.
The directors keep a sense of geography going. We know where everyone is located. This makes the action clearer for us.
The Russos know how to slow things down as well. The scenes that are more quiet are very important.
First, Steve’s interactions with Natasha show how isolated he is emotionally. Secondly, Steve’s relationship with Sam provides him with another kind of connection.
In this way, the scenes prevent the movie from being a constant sequence of action. The directors have also made great use of Robert Redford.
The choice of Robert Redford is important due to his genre, as he is usually associated with political thrillers.
His inclusion automatically changes the tone of the movie. The conspiracy becomes more serious than in a normal superhero storyline.
What really stands out about the movie is its genre fusion. It is a superhero movie. It is an espionage thriller.
It has a political drama aspect in addition to being an action film. All the elements, in general, tend to work well together.
Nevertheless, there are some flaws in this movie. The conspiracy grows more complex as time passes.
A number of characters and groups are introduced quite swiftly. Some of the political concepts have been made clear through direct explanations.
The movie, on its part, also grows bigger towards the end. The personal story line gets overshadowed by the whole show.
However, one thing about which the Russo brothers definitely know is who the main character of the movie is.
Steve Rogers still is the protagonist of the film. It ensures that the plot is not entirely separate from the character.
In general, the direction of the brothers is one of the best aspects of the film. They introduced a new twist into the life of Captain America.
Most importantly, they made it look very natural.
Cinematography
Trent Opaloch was the one who took care of cinematography in The Winter Soldier. His style matches the movie in such a perfect way.
The film does not have that bright look that is characteristic of some previous MCU movies.
Rather, the world looks more realistic.
The city of Washington D.C. plays an essential role in the visual style of the movie.
It offers a real world look. It is important since the movie is about political surveillance.
The world must seem possible to the audience.
In order to accomplish this, the cinematography doesn’t make everything too fantastical.
The action sequences benefit as well from the visual style.
The camera is frequently in close proximity to the characters.
This gives a sense of reality of physicality. Steve’s fight sequences are physically grounded.
They are not just the sight of animated figures brawling.
The use of wide shots is another technique that works well.
It allows the audience to watch the performers doing their moves.
It adds authenticity to the moves being performed. One scene where the move works effectively is the elevator scene.
The tight space makes all the moves count. There are no huge explosions required in order to make the action exciting.
The action choreography does the job of providing the spectacle.
The freeway scene adds another point of comparison. The camera increases the scale but at the same time keeps the movement visible.
The cinematography is also one way of differentiating Steve from his environment.
He wears a costume that has vibrant colors. The world around him is less vibrant. This enables him to look distinct.
But the movie doesn’t show Steve as completely alien to the modern world. His costume has also been modernized.
It shows his growing adjustment to the present era. The cinematography becomes more and more intense as the plot thickens.
The movie shifts from orderly settings to chaotic ones. The final Helicarrier sequence is the most visually escalated scene.
The setting becomes very large. But the movie tries to retain an element of physicality. It is essential.
The film’s cinematography has aged particularly well.
Unlike some earlier MCU films, it does not depend heavily on glossy digital imagery. Its grounded style remains convincing.
Visual Effects
The visual effects in the film The Winter Soldier are numerous.
On the other hand, they are utilized quite differently from the other Marvel movies. That was what the Russo brothers intended the movie to be.
This is among the best aspects of the movie. In the movie, the action usually starts with actual actors.
Digital effects are then applied to make the scene look better. The elevator scene is a good example.
The filmmakers employed realistic sets and stuntmen. Digital effects were incorporated where necessary.
This makes the fight appear physical.
The metal arm of The Winter Soldier is heavily dependent on visual effects. Nevertheless, he does not always look like an entirely computer-generated character.
Practical techniques have been applied along with digital ones. It assists in blending the effect with the acting of Sebastian Stan.
Falcon’s wings is another prominent case in point. There was much reliance on visual effects in Anthony Mackie’s character.
Nonetheless, both practical wire work and digital visual effects have been employed. This makes the flying of the Falcon appear more credible.
The filmmakers tried to envision how the real flying character could be captured on camera.
Helicarriers definitely need more CGI. Their gigantic size makes them difficult to build practically.
Hence, it is necessary to have digital surroundings. Finally, the destruction scene at the end is tremendous.
There are explosions, debris, destruction, falling buildings and crashing planes. The visual-effects departments produced lots of destruction.
The scale of it is amazing. But still, the scene retains physical mass. The carriers bend and move but do not just vanish away.
The water, smoke and debris also add to the effect. In this way, the CGI integrates well. There are cases where the digital aspect stands out clearly.
Sometimes some backgrounds and digital doubles look unrealistic these days. The film supposedly had thousands of visual-effects shots.
It shows how much digital effects were really employed. Then was there an excessive use of CGI?
My answer is negative. In fact, the film proves that CGI can be used in a proper way.
The main thing is that the digital effects aid practical filming. They do not substitute it entirely. That is why the action seems tangible.
The combination of practical stunts and CGI is one of the greatest technical aspects of the film.
Themes and Storyline
Trust is the most prominent theme in The Winter Soldier. Captain America begins his story in a world where he cannot trust appearances.
An agency meant to safeguard people has been corrupted. People Steve trusts might not be reliable anymore.
This is an interesting dilemma that faces Captain America. His value system is put to test through the whole story.
Captain America thinks there needs to be a clear line between right and wrong.
It becomes extremely difficult for the conspiracy to preserve such differences.
The movie examines the issue of surveillance as well.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is convinced that huge amounts of information will protect them from potential danger.
Steve wonders if security must necessarily be achieved at the cost of losing freedom.
It provides the movie with a rather political aspect. The messages are not always concealed.
There are even some dialogues where the issues are directly explained. Still, the main conflict works perfectly.
This movie also presents the struggle of Steve with the current civilization. He has come back from the 1940s.
All that he knows has undergone tremendous change. His friends are no more. His culture is different.
Even the concept of patriotism has changed. All these factors give emotion to Steve. He is no longer struggling against another enemy.
He is now struggling against the world around him. His relationship Sam Wilson is therefore important.
He also understands how to help someone without expecting anything in return. Their friendship forms naturally.
The Winter Soldier is yet another important theme.
It symbolizes Steve’s past coming back to haunt him.
Steve and Bucky’s bond adds emotion to the story. It also raises an identity problem. Has Bucky changed since Steve knows him?
Or does he now resemble a totally new being?
The plot deals with the emotional issue in a very effective manner.
Nonetheless, some of the conspiracy aspects become quite complicated.
There are a lot of organizations, characters and twists. The viewer has to concentrate. It is not always bad.
But sometimes it makes the movie heavy. The film’s length is about two hours and sixteen minutes. This allows for enough time for the movie to explore its themes.
The pacing is generally good. The movie switches from action, investigation, and character development.
There aren’t many parts that are unnecessary. In the last part, there is much more action.
However, the emotions are still in place. Steve’s choice to rebel against the system gets personal.
As a result, the central theme stays in the movie. It is not just a story of fighting the villain.
It is a story of how Steve chooses his own world. Therefore, the story is much better than the one in the average superhero movie.
Performances
It is perhaps Chris Evans’ best portrayal of Steve Rogers. He is much more comfortable playing the character now.
Steve is no longer the naive young soldier from The First Avenger. He is more confident and able.
But he has not lost the character’s vulnerability.
Steve is still thoughtful. He is still uneasy about violence for its own sake. He is still devoted to protecting civilians.
Evans communicates these qualities without overplaying them.
Scarlett Johansson is another major strength. Natasha Romanoff receives considerably more development.
Johansson gives Natasha a confident and complicated personality. She also creates excellent chemistry with Evans.
Their relationship feels different from a conventional superhero partnership.
There is mutual respect between them.
Anthony Mackie immediately grabs your attention as Sam Wilson. He adds comedy and warmth to the movie.
Most importantly, he feels like a real friend to Steve. Mackie makes sure that his character is supportive without being a pushover.
Sebastian Stan has a much harder part to play.
Most of what he does as the Winter Soldier requires action.
The character hardly ever talks. Stan must thus express himself using actions. He is an imposing figure. Yet there is still the emotional bond with Steve.
Nick Fury’s part becomes bigger because of Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson adds some dignity to the character. Vulnerability of Nick Fury appears as well. It makes the character more human.
Robert Redford gives some dramatic credibility to the movie. Also, the casting of Robert Redford emphasizes thriller genre.
The performance of Redford is not excessive but quite restrained. It fits the character perfectly.
Maria Hill is portrayed by Cobie Smulders again. Efficiency and self-confidence mark her portrayal.
Brock Rumlow is played by Frank Grillo. His importance grows with the story line in the greater world of the MCU.
Overall, the acting performances are one of the greatest strengths of the film. Evans stays as the emotional center.
Mackie and Johansson play the supporting roles well. Stan is mysterious as the Winter Soldier. Redford and Jackson add believability to the conspiracy.
What Worked and What Did Not
There is plenty of things that work well in The Winter Soldier.
The idea of transforming Captain America into a political thriller is absolutely brilliant. It provides the hero with a new environment.
The movie also appears to be more adult than most previous MCU movies. The action scenes represent another successful element.
They look realistic and physically credible due to the use of practical filming techniques. The elevator scene looks especially impressive.
The freeway chase is another great sequence. There are many visual effects in the movie.
They do not replace but complement the filming techniques. Another strong element of the movie is the acting.
Chris Evans adds emotionality to the Steve Rogers character. Scarlett Johansson has more chances to develop Natasha’s character.
Anthony Mackie plays Falcon in a captivating way.
The Winter Soldier becomes an intimidating figure and one of mystery thanks to Sebastian Stan.
There is also an effective development of the friendship between Steve and Bucky.
The themes of trust, freedom and surveillance add even more significance to the film.
But there are some problems too. Firstly, the conspiracy becomes complex.
Secondly, some of the characters are added mainly for the sake of the plot.
Thirdly, the film contains an enormous amount of exposition.
Fourthly, some of the political ideas are explained but not shown.
Finally, the third act of the film turns out to be very big.
The destruction becomes overwhelming. The battle at the Helicarrier is fun to watch. But it is less personal than previous fights.
The villains turn out to be unevenly written. The Winter Soldier himself is well-written. The conspiracy is complex.
Supporting villains do not have enough development. But the film does not deviate from its course.
Steve Rogers remains the main character. And that is crucial. The film always remembers about him and his personal development.
Overall Verdict
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is one of the most impressive early movies in the MCU.
It sees the Russo brothers completely transform the tone of Captain America’s world.
They transport the character from a wartime adventure into a political thriller movie genre.
It’s an approach that would be very dangerous for many filmmakers.
But here, it works incredibly well. It sees a very assured approach to direction and very good action scenes.
The filming creates a very realistic look to the movie.
The CGI is extensive but generally well integrated.
It is one of the technical highlights of the film.
Chris Evans gives Steve Rogers some gravitas and weight. Scarlett Johansson gives Natasha an edge.
Anthony Mackie instantly establishes himself as Falcon. Sebastian Stan brings an aura of mystery to Winter Soldier.
The motifs of trust, freedom and surveillance add depth to the story.
But there are weaknesses in the movie as well. The conspiracy plot gets a little tangled at times.
The climax is very reliant on digital effects. Supporting characters could have gotten more development as well.
But these flaws are quite insignificant. The film manages to successfully combine both genres.
What matters even more, however, is that it gives Captain America his own identity within the Marvel Universe.
It is mature and does not lack entertainment value.
Finally, it creates the foundation for the future MCU films.
The Russo brothers would return to make Captain America: Civil War.
They would go on to direct Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame
Looking back, The Winter Soldier feels like the moment their MCU style became fully established.
It remains an excellent example of Marvel taking a creative risk.
For me, it is comfortably one of the best films from the MCU’s early years.
