Review of Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) by Abdullah A — 18 Jul 2015

Captain America The Winter Soldier is not perfect film but is the perfect comic book film. If you pay attention enough you'll notice some conveniences and cliches and lapses in cinemtography that are aside from it being a comic book film and could've been fixed/avoided and made the film slightly better. But boy is this film freaken awesome in almost every way. People talk about this film as an espionage type film, and it is one in many ways and it does that very very well with great tension put up throughout the film and very clever moments fitting of a good espionage film and has some great commentary on the War on Terror and the ethical conflict between Captain America and (to those familiar with Marvel Comics) the ideology of Iron Man and S.H.I.E.L.D. (not that Iron Man appears in the film, though is referenced here and there, which is cool). For me personally, I loved how Hydra in the film carry out their plan, because it makes sense and is a very smart, very clever, very despicable plan, and makes for a smart film. But it is also surprisingly a great hero film - the kind that will inspire the good side in you, especially from Captain America. Man, that guy is a hero and a true friend, and just on these points I've mentioned, this is probably my all time favorite hero film and a very refreshing approach on MCU films.

Let's talk about the characters. I've mentioned Captain America as a real hero, and I say that because of the way he talks, the dialogue coming from him, the actions he does, THE AWESOME FIGHTING AND ESPIONAGE SCENES WITH THIS GUY (I MEAN WOW!), his morals and willingness to do what is right, his loyalty, the charming quirks here and there, and the way he is portrayed by Chris Evans. At this point, I can't imagine anyone else as Captain America. Chris Evans could've very easily been just some pretty boy with abs, but Chris Evans really fits the role of a hero. He has that honest face and voice needed for when Captain America speaks and acts, and he has the physique and expression for violent action that make for great actions scenes. We also have Black Widow, and while I did not see the point in some of the things she said to Captain America (like in the beginning), is actually a really great addition to Captain America, as not only is she a badass, but she also has real conflict and whenever she is not in her fun, badass mode, she actually has great emotion and realness to her, and as with Chris Evans for Captain America, Scarlett Johanson plays her really well. The thing about her character is that very easily she could've been played as this badass with nothing else going for her, and usually actresses that play those roles are not all that great. Scarlett Johanson, however, does not follow that trend, and she has some really great moments with her character, and I'm glad that she played the role of Black Widow. And not enough people are talking about how fun and great Falcon is, played by Anthony Mackie. Not only does he have really fun moments and awesome action scenes, but he makes for a true friend to Captain America, and I love that and really look forward to seeing him and Captain America more together.

Now we don't really need to talk about Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury being awesome, because of course he is! All the dialogue coming out of that man's mouth is so awesome and fitting for the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and for the actor of Samuel L. Jackson. One character that kind of stole the show, though, is the Winter Soldier. Oh my word is there such depth and moral conflict and moments of greatness in action and in emotion from the character that I don't believe there has been a villain like him that I've seen in a long time. His relationship with one of the characters really really hits you right in your gut and by the end of it, THE FEELS!!! OH MY WORD!!! THE FEELS!

Now, I did mention in the beginning that this is not a perfect film, and just to expand on that, there were a few moments where things were a bit convenient (like say, when Winter Soldier goes after Nick Fury but for some reason takes a slow walk to him, which allows Nick Fury to escape) or cliched (I don't want to mention to keep this review spoiler free) or a bit too much on the side of exposition and dumbing-down for the audience (like at times, Captain America was not quick enough to follow the logic, not because the character was like that but because the film was attempting to explain to the audience), but there is no way on Earth any of that detracts from the film, and that is why I give this film a perfect score, even though it is imperfect. And for you who rolls your eyes at someone giving a perfect score to an imperfect film, just say I rounded up ;).