It's been almost two years since "The Avengers" was released in theaters. Last year, we got to see Iron Man take down villains with his futuristic suit again in "Iron Man 3," and we got to see Thor save the world again with his giant hammer in "Thor: The Dark World." Now, we finally get to watch Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."
The movie starts with the Captain stationed in Washington, D.C. after the events of "The Avengers." He is now working for S.H.I.E.L.D. and taking orders from Nick Fury, played by Samuel Jackson. Captain America still does not completely trust S.H.I.E.L.D., and he soon discovers everything is not as it seems. He also encounters one of his most dangerous enemies yet, the Winter Soldier.
Going into this movie, I expected another funny and action-packed Marvel film, but this was not the case. What I got was the best superhero movie I have seen in a long time. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is absolutely fantastic. The plot is complex and much more thought out than any of the other Marvel films. For this film, you will definitely want to see the first "Captain America" and "The Avengers" to understand the plot. This film goes in many unexpected directions that keep the story incredibly interesting from start to finish.
The acting is great as well. Chris Evans is better than ever as Captain America, and Samuel Jackson and Scarlett Johansson reprise their roles as Nick Fury and Black Widow, respectively. The new character named Sam, also known as the Falcon (played by Anthony Mackie), is incorporated into the story in a very exciting way.
What makes this movie stand out from the other Marvel movies is its tone. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is a much darker film than the others. It still has its fair share of humor, but unlike the Avengers and especially the Iron Man movies, this film takes itself very seriously. In some cases, it's almost a political thriller as much as it is a superhero movie.
Expect some very intense action sequences as well. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" features a lot of impressive car chases and frantic gun fights. There is also some much needed character development that delves into Steve Rogers' past from the first film.
There is not really anything negative to say about this movie; it achieves exactly what it sets out to do and will most likely surpass your expectations. "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is hands down the best movie in the Marvel franchise and the best superhero movie to come out since "The Dark Knight."
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mseyler@ramapo.edu
