Film Review: ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ Pledges Allegiance to Strong Action, Twists

CHICAGO – In record-breaking time, even for Marvel, a comic book character has had their existence (basically) rebooted. The arc may be continued from the previous film, and some of the actors may reappear, but this take on Captain America is bonafide divergent. It’s not the hollow nostalgic relic seen in his debut “Captain America: The First Avenger”, nor is this the goofy time alien/boy scout he was made in to be in the ensemble film “The Avengers”. This version of Captain America, and the world he lives in, is leaner and meaner.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Placing the walking shout-out to the “Greatest Generation” in modern time, and at the center of a conflict that could affect any American, Captain America is given what has marked the best of action heroes, even those with super abilities - a palpable sense of high stakes.

This shining sequel from directors Anthony & Joe Russo finds our title hero (played smoothly by Chris Evans) in Washington D.C. in 2014, after the destruction experienced in 2012’s “The Avengers”. Captain America, or Steve Rogers, has continued his employment as a valuable super-soldier under the secret division of S.H.I.E.L.D., and works alongside female comrade, ex-KGB agent Natasha Romanoff AKA Black Widow (played by Scarlett Johannson). He creates a new ally in veteran Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), who also shares the aches that Steve does about his fallen brethren from war.

The actual arc of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” was too thrilling for me to witness, so I won’t strip you of that fun. But to generalize the bases, I can say that this story features Rogers and Romanov on the run as fugitives, while Robert Redford’s head honcho Alexander Pierce uses his power in S.H.I.E.L.D. to create super-aircraft that defends by attacking, like a more literal take on Captain America using his trusty shield as a weapon. This Patriot Act-like operation is then challenged by Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury leader, who begins to suspect something is rotten in the state of S.H.I.E.L.D. Bad things happen, a Winter Soldier appears, and frivolity is had, once again and finally, in a Marvel movie.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” opens on April 4th. Featuring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford, Anthony Mackie and Frank Grillo. Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo. Rated “PG-13”