Something is very wrong in the Marvel cinematic universe. Everything you thought you knew about S.H.I.E.L.D. and Steve Rogers', aka Captain America's, role in America has changed. A suspicious mission saving a S.H.I.E.L.D. ship from French pirates leads to Nick Fury being questioned by his international superiors about the true nature of his actions. Stranger still, a mysterious assassin known as The Winter Soldier has appeared, turning Captain America and Black Widow into fugitives with three shots. Anthony and Joe Russo, taking over directorial duties from Joe Johnston, have taken an entirely different approach to world of Marvel. They have created a spy thriller using superheroes. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the most shocking and action-filled Marvel film yet. This combination of characters allows for a far more grounded approach than any of the other solo superhero properties so far.
Though Steve Rogers was given super strength, reflexes, and significantly increased size in a military experiment, he is, at his core, a soldier. He's been trained to protect the country at any costs and never leave a fellow soldier behind. In The Winter Soldier, his fellow soldiers are the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (not the TV cast, either) and Black Widow.
Black Widow's superpowers are anything but. She is an extremely intelligent mercenary turned US spy. She's equally skilled in firearms and technology. Her strength, intelligence, and ability to keep a secret are unmatched. She, too, is a character that thrives in more realistic environments.
The film's two new additions fit that same mold. Falcon (Anthony Mackie) is a VA official who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. He also was trained to use a highly advanced jet propulsion system with massive metal wings. He meets Captain America by chance and winds up joining up with the sometimes-Avengers when they have nowhere left to turn.
The Winter Soldier is also military-trained. Without going into spoilers, he is an equal to each of the three superheroes in the film. His firearm skills push Black Widow farther than ever before. His strength, enhanced by a metallic left arm, lets him fight toe to toe with Captain America. And his keen eye for strategy and agility lets him take on Falcon even as he soars over the fray.
The action choreography feels fresh and new in each scene, even allowing the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick Fury himself the chance to jump into the fray. The limits of each of the heroes are tested again and again. Captain America works best with other soldiers at his side. Black Widow thrives in small space combat. Falcon needs constant intel to guide his flight path. And The Winter Soldier needs the element of surprise. The Winter Soldier doesn't allow anyone an ideal situation for their skills after the first few minutes. Adversity creates ingenuity and the audience is rewarded.
If you like action or superhero films, you'll enjoy Captain America: The Winter Soldier. There are so many twists and turns that it feels like a much shorter film than it is. If this is the way the Marvel universe wants to grow, we're in for many more excellent superhero films in the future.
