EVANS AND REDFORD. Their superhero flick entertains as much as it engages
Chris Evans says that his laid-back personality is more similar to Johnny Storm of “The Fantastic Four” than Steve Rogers of “Captain America” and “The Avengers.” But, effectively mining the differences of those characters is key to his extraordinary success in Marvel’s immensely profitable superhero franchises.
In Anthony and Joe Russo’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” Evans proves once more that it’s hip to be square—and cool to stand by your principles, regardless of what other people think.
True, there’s a lot of moral ambivalence going on in the second installment of “Captain America”—from the imposing “is he or isn’t he?” appeal of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the sizzling fabulosity of the Black Widow aka Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), to the Cold War-channeling subtle menace of Robert Redford as senior S.H.I.E.L.D. official Alexander Pierce.
But, Rogers’ steadfast determination to do the right thing stands as the perfect foil for the other characters’ “ambiguity”—and gives the film more narrative traction than expected.
Best friend
For Steve, there’s much to worry about two years after the events in “The Avengers.” He catches Natasha extracting data from a S.H.I.E.L.D. vessel being held hostage by Algerian pirates.
When one of his superhero friends “dies” at the hands of the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), who turns out to be Bucky Barnes (his best friend from the 1940s who was presumed dead during World War II), he teams up with the Black Widow and his new ally, Sam Wilson aka The Falcon (Anthony Mackie)—an ex-paratrooper trained by the military on aerial combat using a specially designed wing pack—to weed out the heel masquerading as a hero in the World Security Council.
Captain America uncovers Operation Insight, which intends to launch three high-tech Helicarriers linked to spy satellites, originally designed to eliminate threats to national security.
The unknown enemy wants to “establish a new world order that aims to ‘sacrifice’ 20 million people to save the rest of earth’s seven billion inhabitants!” —Things aren’t always what they appear to be!
The film entertains as much as it engages: As a popcorn flick, it operates on multiple levels: Notice how sparks fly between Steve and Natasha as they banter about the blind dates she intends to arrange for the dashing, never-been-kissed superhero. Or the inventive ways Cap utilizes his indestructible shield to slow down his pursuers. Also thrilling to watch are the fight-and-flight scenes of The Falcon as he zips through the breathtaking skyline of the US capital.
Another reason to watch the movie is the consistently picky Robert Redford, whose participation is one of “Captain America’s” casting coups! The legendary actor says that he chose to do the project because his grandchildren are fans of Marvel films, and wanted to see him in one!
More reason to grin
Comic-book geeks are given more reason to grin from ear to ear in one of the movie’s two-epilogue narrative stingers, as the franchise introduces superhero twins—a lovely witch with telekinetic powers and a time-jumping speedster—as prisoners of terrorist group Hydra’s top honcho.
We usually scoff at films that breach the two-hour mark—but, with “The Winter Soldier,” you’ll hardly notice its two and a half hours pass you by, because the actioner paces its satisfying twists and thrills with razor-sharp, lull-free precision and unforced humor, as its beleaguered superhero struggles to put up a good fight against his unknown evil nemeses!