Cast: Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Screenplay: Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely

Synopsis: Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier. [1].

Review:

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is a fantastic spectacle of a popcorn movie. It has action, intrigue, special effects, and a great pace throughout the entire 136 minute running time. There are always comments about how there are a dearth of great movies, how Hollywood is only producing about 400 movies every year now. There are also plenty of valid criticism of how Hollywood is only focusing on “sure” hits with previous franchise reboots, and big blockbuster super hero films. I understand the frustration, but in all honesty, to actually sit down in a crowded movie theater and watch such a finely crafted action film is an experience of its own.

One of the prevailing symbolism’s throughout the movie speaks to today’s surveillance society in a post 9/11 America where people are being monitored mostly without their knowledge, let alone permission. We have different characters with varying philosophies on how far we should take this surveillance, even to the point where the utilitarian argument comes in arguing that killing 20 million people that could possibly commit acts of terrorism in the future would save billions of lives. This line of thinking is exactly what Orwell’s 1984 discussed in regards to “precrime” and it is a slippery slope to travel when we start convicting people before they commit acts. The balance of security versus freedom is one we all must come to terms with, and not play into the propaganda wars of any side, but make up our own minds. This movie plays on these subtleties well without becoming preachy.

In Summary, the key that most people forget about these superhero films is that the primary reason one doesn’t like a particular film is usually the lack of character development. When you don’t emphasize with the protagonist, let alone like, then the experience will not be entirely enjoyable. The experience is similar to reading a novel with an unreliable narrator where at some point you just stop caring because they can’t be trusted. Typically not discussed about in superhero movies are the sheer volumes of background material on hundreds of characters with over 70 years of development from comic books. When superheroes are on the big screen, most of the time we can instantly relate to them and laugh at the inside jokes because we already know them. It makes for a pleasant viewing experience when you can just sit back and enjoy the ride. Especially in today’s world of overexposure, inundated with negativity from news, the constant barrage of 24/7 news, and is a glorious experience to sit back and just enjoy a fun movie.

References:

  1. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” IMDb: The Internet Movie Database. IMDb.com-Amazon.com, 1990-2014. Wed. 16 April 2014. < http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1843866/?ref_=nv_sr_1>.
  2. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” Rotten Tomatoes.com, 2014. Wed. 16 April 2014. < http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/captain_america_the_winter_soldier_2014/>.
  3. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 2014. Wed. 16 April 2014. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_America:_The_Winter_Soldier>.