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| Chris Evans as Captain America |
In the superhero digest, Steve Rogers/Captain America is generally found in the lower rung, somewhere between the Hulk and Batman. Captain America is back for another standalone film, "Captain America: Winter Soldier," a follow-up to the 2011 hit "Captain America" as part of the ongoing, vastly popular "Avengers" series. Much more engaging than the 2011 film, "Winter Soldier" is a rollicking ride that should earn its place somewhere between "IronMan" (still the best of the standalone Marvel films) and "Thor" (better than both "Thor" films. In this outing Captain America (Chris Evans, chiseled as ever), along with S.H.I.E.LD. operatives Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), battle a secret organization that has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D with the likes of politicos (Robert Redford, a great cast addition) and a super-secret agent the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), who have links to Captain America's past and threaten to destroy much of the planet. Directed by the Russo brothers, Anthony and Joe Russo of "Arrested Development" fame, "Winter Soldier" is a nice entry in the Marvel series, action-packed, intense and less CG-heavy, though it takes itself much too seriously than some of the other "Avengers" outings. Along with Redford, there are some decent additions to the cast, including Anthony Mackie as a high-flying Falcon and Emily VanCamp from the "Revenge" TV show as another super secret agent. Swiftly paced and filled with some great action sequences and fight scenes, "Winter Soldier" has much more grit and energy than the 2011 film. As with some of Marvel's outings, the plotting is a tad muddled and overlong, but it moves along nicely, with a climax and ending that certainly leaves it open for more Captain America installments. In addition, fanboys and Marvel enthusiasts should stay for more over-the-credits scenes that provide a preview of future Marvel outings. "Captain America" is a satisfying, rollicking ride that should please even non-superhero or Marvel fans. Definitely worth it if you enjoy this sort of thing.
Wes's Grade: B
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