Film Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (7 out of 10)

Having sat through various pretty heavy duty films in recent weeks it makes a nice change to switch the brain off and enjoy some all-action superhero fun.
By Steve Payne
Published 1st Apr 2014, 09:44 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Chris Evans as Captain America and Scarlett Johansson as Black WidowChris Evans as Captain America and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow
Chris Evans as Captain America and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow

In the absence of Batman And Superman (that’s next year for a different franchise) Marvel’s all-American hero Captain America will do,

This is the second movie involving ‘Cap’ and the umpteenth in the Marvel saga that started with Iron Man and will be moving on to Guardians of the Galaxy next.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coincidentally, I’ve read the graphic novel (OK comic) this Captain America film is based on and they have done a pretty good job.

Chris Evans as Captain America and Scarlett Johansson as Black WidowChris Evans as Captain America and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow
Chris Evans as Captain America and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow

For those who haven’t followed the story, Steve Rogers was a puny second world war soldier who was experimented on and turned into the muscular hero Captain America.

After an epic struggle with arch-enemy the Red Skull he ends up ‘asleep’ for about 70 years in modern-day America with all his friends long gone.

In this latest film he is still struggling to come to grips with 21st century life and all its complexity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He is a member of SHIELD, a worldwide espionage and law enforcement agency.

However, ‘Cap’ faces his toughest chellenge yet when he faces a Soviet assassin, only known as The Winter Soldier.

Because of the high profile approach to these Marvel movies, the acting talent has always been first class.

Chris Evans reprises his role as the greatest American soldier and he is joined by Scarlett Johansson as the SHIELD agent the Black Widow with Samuel L. Jackson back as the agency boss Nick Fury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This time round we have the esteemed company of Robert Redford, Toby Jones and Jenny Agutter to give the film even more gravitas.

This film is not just about big fight sequences and large areas of the US being smashed up.

There’s actually a more complicated plot along the way and some decent interaction between the characters.

Of course, when the action starts it’s on a massive scale and I felt worn out after the drama of the final third.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Having seen all the Marvel movies so far, this one sits up there with the best.

So, if you enjoy superhero fantasy on a grand scale then this is for you.

As with the other films there is a mid post-credit taster for a Marvel film yet to come and a post-credit bit to round of the actual movie, though you may wonder why you stayed on for that one.

Film details: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (12A) 136mins

Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Redford, Sebastian Stan

Screening courtesy of Cineworld Crawley

Related topics:CAPMarvel