It’s a strange thing really…
Following the success of Iron Man back in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has followed a steady pattern of film releases. The first step is creating several superhero films (some sequels, some not) that all take place within a single universe; then taking those superheroes and mashing them into one massive epic of a blockbuster. Next, the Marvel Cinematic Universe repeats the process with several supposed minor films (within the same universe) all leading up to the next blockbuster. While the idea was thought as absurd by some, the critical acclaim and high profit of The Avengers proved the gamble to be a success; ensuring the franchise’s future for years to come. In theory however, the pattern should contain a key flaw; how can these minor films possibly compete when the massive blockbuster limits their capacities? For example, in the minor films:
Following the success of Iron Man back in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has followed a steady pattern of film releases. The first step is creating several superhero films (some sequels, some not) that all take place within a single universe; then taking those superheroes and mashing them into one massive epic of a blockbuster. Next, the Marvel Cinematic Universe repeats the process with several supposed minor films (within the same universe) all leading up to the next blockbuster. While the idea was thought as absurd by some, the critical acclaim and high profit of The Avengers proved the gamble to be a success; ensuring the franchise’s future for years to come. In theory however, the pattern should contain a key flaw; how can these minor films possibly compete when the massive blockbuster limits their capacities? For example, in the minor films:
- Major characters will almost certainly not be killed since they’re needed for the blockbuster
- Major villains that pose a cool and considerable threat are less likely to be killed (cough, cough, Loki) and more likely to be used for the blockbuster
- The dangers that appear must be contained to the hero’s area, lest it be questioned why the other heroes do not assist
Captain America: The Winter Soldier provides all three examples; there’s formula to its story, creating a predictable pattern where twist and surprises become virtually unusable…
So why then, did I find the film highly enjoyable and genuinely satisfying?
The same question can be applied to Iron Man 3, or Thor: The Dark World; to answer I've come up with three key aspects that the films contain:
- Action scenes that are entertaining, creative and frequent
- Consistent use of comedy, wit and humorous shout-outs
- A wide range of interesting characters with growth and development
In particular, aspect #3 would be my pick for The Winter Soldier’s major highlight.
Happening after The Avengers, Steve Rogers aka Captain America (Chris Evans) is the only hero still directly working for the government agency S.H.I.E.L.D. Rogers is however conflicted with his new organization, especially with his boss Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and agent Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), who have been holding back on telling Rogers everything. Yet things change suddenly, when Fury is attacked by a by a metal armed man known as the Winter Soldier. Fury tells Rogers (the only man he can trust) that S.H.I.E.L.D. has been compromised, and with the help of agent Romanoff, Captain America escapes the agency to figure out what’s going on; along with the true identity of the Winter Soldier.
Captain America may not be my favorite of the Avengers (that title goes to Iron Man) but he does have several enjoyable characteristics that make him unique. While the Avengers have had little moral issue with killing the baddies (Thor and Stark seem fine blowing up people with lighting and missiles respectively), Rogers takes the cake for being the most brutal out of them; taking out goons through bullets, skull bashing, or spine breaking. His brutal nature is understandable, given that he is, well, an experienced war soldier. Roger’s identity as a veteran provides an interesting dynamic with his identity as a superhero; causing personal conflict between following orders and using his power the way it seems morally fit.
On a more lighthearted note, The Winter Soldier has no shame in using Rogers’ fish out of water back-story for comedic value; which (similar to Thor) is not a bad thing. Little jokes such as Rogers having a little notebook of things he has to learn about (which include “Steve Jobs (Apple)” and “Star Wars/Trek”) help keep his culturally naïve side active. It can however, be played for drama as well; such as when Rogers visits the Captain America museum exhibit (where he see all his old friends, likely deceased by then) or seeing his old love interest Peggy, now a frail, elderly woman whose lived a full life with a family. While funny at times, Roger’s fish out of water routine can be used in a melancholy manner unlike Thor’s; providing an interesting dynamic of Rogers trying to defend his country while already losing what he sought to defend.
On a more lighthearted note, The Winter Soldier has no shame in using Rogers’ fish out of water back-story for comedic value; which (similar to Thor) is not a bad thing. Little jokes such as Rogers having a little notebook of things he has to learn about (which include “Steve Jobs (Apple)” and “Star Wars/Trek”) help keep his culturally naïve side active. It can however, be played for drama as well; such as when Rogers visits the Captain America museum exhibit (where he see all his old friends, likely deceased by then) or seeing his old love interest Peggy, now a frail, elderly woman whose lived a full life with a family. While funny at times, Roger’s fish out of water routine can be used in a melancholy manner unlike Thor’s; providing an interesting dynamic of Rogers trying to defend his country while already losing what he sought to defend.
Speaking of interesting dynamics, what’s up with Black Widow and Captain America? Black Widow herself is an awesome character; being played by Scarlett Johansson makes her even better. Out of all the supporting roles, Black Widow’s definitely seen the most development over the Marvel film series. Introduced in Iron Man 2 as simply an operative of S.H.I.E.L.D., agent Romanoff's character was fleshed out in The Avengers; becoming one of its most notable break-out characters (alongside Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk). The Winter Soldier takes it one step further by giving her second billing alongside Rogers; a choice that splendidly pays off with the two leads having surprising chemistry.
The film provides time for banter and casual talk between them; sometimes about who they are, other times simply for comedic fun. Take for example the car ride up to New Jersey (it make sense in context); the scene could have merely skipped right to the destination yet gives several minutes for playful chitchat and personal conversation. These few minutes provide lovely character development between two characters I never noticed to have such good chemistry (for the obvious reason that they were never given time together). Whether the aim of such development is for romance or creating old comrades is still blurry to me; either way, making Romanoff and Rogers’s partners was a refreshingly wise choice.
The film provides time for banter and casual talk between them; sometimes about who they are, other times simply for comedic fun. Take for example the car ride up to New Jersey (it make sense in context); the scene could have merely skipped right to the destination yet gives several minutes for playful chitchat and personal conversation. These few minutes provide lovely character development between two characters I never noticed to have such good chemistry (for the obvious reason that they were never given time together). Whether the aim of such development is for romance or creating old comrades is still blurry to me; either way, making Romanoff and Rogers’s partners was a refreshingly wise choice.
And then there’s Samuel “Badass” Jackson playing Nick “Kickass” Fury. There’s something so perfect about the combination, and the movie’s well aware. They even gave Fury an all too epic moment of him simply standing, cape blowing in the wind, looking like a badass; which he does, and it is awesome! Fury is no longer simply giving speeches (albeit badass speeches) while the heroes go and fight; no, this time around Fury gets directly involved in the action. In fact there’s an entire ten minute car chase sequence given solely to Fury; filled with heavy gun-packing action, destruction of traffic, awesome gadgetry, and some witty humor from his auto-pilot. Fury’s ascension from background leader to action leader means he was bound to receive character development.
(Semi-Spoiler in the next paragraph)
In the past films we've seen Fury swaying back and forth between his grey morality line (Particularly in The Avengers); The Winter Soldier dives right into Fury’s issues with trust along with how far he’s willing to go for the greater good. It’s particularly cool to see a previously static (albeit awesome) character go through moral developments; with the end result being a satisfying turn of events…..too bad he’s killed off though. Yeah, Nick Fury dies in The Winter Soldier; I know it’s a spoiler but I just wanted to prepare you for the inevita…Hey, what’s with that look of doubt on your face (that I’m somehow magically able to see)!? I’m being dead serious right now; Nick Fury is killed off and you never, ever see him again; he’s as dead as Loki was in Thor: The Dark Wor…oh wait…..He’s as dead as agent Coulson was in The Avenge…oh, wait the TV show brought him back...He’s as dead as Buc…oh forget it!
In the past films we've seen Fury swaying back and forth between his grey morality line (Particularly in The Avengers); The Winter Soldier dives right into Fury’s issues with trust along with how far he’s willing to go for the greater good. It’s particularly cool to see a previously static (albeit awesome) character go through moral developments; with the end result being a satisfying turn of events…..too bad he’s killed off though. Yeah, Nick Fury dies in The Winter Soldier; I know it’s a spoiler but I just wanted to prepare you for the inevita…Hey, what’s with that look of doubt on your face (that I’m somehow magically able to see)!? I’m being dead serious right now; Nick Fury is killed off and you never, ever see him again; he’s as dead as Loki was in Thor: The Dark Wor…oh wait…..He’s as dead as agent Coulson was in The Avenge…oh, wait the TV show brought him back...He’s as dead as Buc…oh forget it!
The Winter Soldier’s a predictable film…but I’d be lying if I said that knowing wasn't half the fun. Besides, I never knew exactly when these surprises would be revealed; and trying to predict when felt similar to a satisfying guessing game. I also believe the movie was somewhat self-aware that its twists were predictable (a good chunk of its audience are comic book readers after all), as the reveals are never overdrawn or overblown, letting them to play quite smoothly throughout. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the best Marvel film to come out since The Avengers; its action is thrilling and frequent, its comedy is witty and entertaining, and its characters are appealing and full of good chemistry. The concluding praise is particularly noteworthy; further developing already established characters into more fleshed out, engaging individuals. The Winter Soldier may not be at The Avengers level, but it certainly qualifies as its own major picture.
