I was never a big Captain America fan growing up. I cannot recall buying a single comic book of his, even though most of my pocket money as a child was spent on comics. That being said though, I thoroughly enjoyed Captain America: The First Avenger, released in 2011.
The most impressive aspect of the first film was the credibility of the storyline. Albeit, one based on a comic book character. It did not overuse computer generated imagery (CGI), and the way in which Captain America was brought from the 1940s, to the 21st century was (given the genre), plausible.
The same cannot be said for its sequel, Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Even for a movie based on a comic book superhero, the storyline is, dare I say it, comical. While the premise and origin of the assassin known as ‘the winter soldier’ is perfectly acceptable, everything else in the film is just too over the top. However perhaps the films’ biggest fault lies in that it seems to completely ignore the existence and events of 2012’s ‘The Avengers’.
Given the circumstances Captain America finds himself in, it is unreasonable to think that other members of The Avengers would not be called in to assist him. Particularly given that the algorithm the film centres on, comes up with Bruce Banner’s (The Hulk) name as a future threat. Not to mention the discovery that Tony Stark’s father’s death was not an accident, as previously thought, and the fact that the fate of the world is at stake.
This was not the case with either Iron Man 3, or the second Thor film. Both were released after The Avengers, yet both followed on smoothly from the events of that film. In Iron Man’s case, coming to terms mentally with what occurred in The Avengers, and Thor having to team up with his adopted and now imprisoned brother Loki – the villain of the ensemble film.
The film makers could have concentrated more on the antagonism and personal connection between The Winter Soldier and Captain America. Instead it is just one small part of a convoluted myriad of senseless sub plots that do not really come together. Nor fit in with previous films set in the Marvel universe.
Of course the special effects are amazing, but there is nothing new of note, and it has all been seen before. If anything, the film relies too much on CGI, which while being momentarily satisfying, is hardly memorable.
The acting is solid, but nothing more. Although given what they have to work with, the cast hardly be criticised for that. Even Robert Redford’s presence in the film cannot raise it above its own mediocrity.
However, despite all of the above Captain America: The Winter Soldier does provide a couple of hours of escape from the real world. And as long as you leave logic, and any great expectations at the door, those two hours can also be entertaining ones.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is currently in cinemas.
Superheroes: From Comic Books to the Big Screen 