Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Composite Score: 81.28
Starring: Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Robert Redford, Sebastian Stan, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, and Emily VanCamp
Directors: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Writers: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, and Joe Simon
Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Espionage
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, gunplay, and action throughout
Box Office: $714.42 million worldwide
Why should you Watch This Film?
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is arguably the best standalone film within Disney’s MCU. It operates without much external references to the rest of the universe aside from brief notes that can be excused simply as references any film might make to a wider setting. It has incredibly fun action sequences and perhaps Scarlett Johansson’s best showing as Black Widow. The most enticing aspect of Winter Soldier is its existence as a superhero film that fits within other genres as well. Within the MCU, it is the first of its kind to do so with others following the same process late on. Winter Soldier is not just an MCU superhero movie; it also fits the mold of a classic spy thriller in the vein of Mission Impossible, Spy Game, or even the Bourne films. Incredibly rewatchable and thoroughly entertaining, Captain America: The Winter Soldier manages to successfully break the mold of traditional superhero film while still remaining true to its roots and the roots of the genres it seeks to emulate.
Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?
As is true of most films in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe that have been released since 2012, Winter Soldier contains its fair share of referential content. The nods to other Marvel properties, past, present, and future, can be frustrating to a new audience member not in the know. Comparatively speaking, the film contains far fewer references than other later films, especially than the highly touted Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Not catching things that other watchers get and not understanding internal references can bog down certain first-time watcher, detracting from the overall experience.
The other main critique that could be brought against Winter Soldier is its seemingly convenient conflict resolutions. An otherwise intricate plot with difficult problems thrown in the way of Steve Rogers and co. loses some of its luster when critically examined (full-on spoilers ahead). Nick Fury surviving three large-caliber bullets to the chest is incredibly convenient for all involved and never fully explained. Needing only one chip installation in each of the SHIELD Helicarriers that can be easily accomplished by anyone with a few keystrokes to make the ships shoot each other instead of civilians feels like an easy way to resolve an otherwise interesting issue. Bucky’s quick turnaround from hardened brainwashed mercenary to hesitant rescuer of Steve Rogers over the course of two combat encounters also comes across as vaguely forced to set up for future movies.
So wait, why should you Watch This Film?
Captain America: The Winter Soldier fits into genres beyond just superhero/disaster. At its heart, the film is more of a spy/espionage thriller with a superhero as its protagonist, complete with shady organizations taking over legitimate government entities, old computer technology, Robert Redford as a government operative, a character from the hero’s past with ties to an opposing organization, and a character with memory loss who serves as a government hitman. The lingo in the writing sounds like a spy thriller. The hero is doxed by his own organization and forced to go on the run with only another (female) agent as his ally. There is some vague sexual tension between the hero and his female counterpart (awkward though it may be). In the end it turns out that the hero was right about the questionable nature of the government agency that he was working for, and he dismantles it from the inside while remaining a hero to those who truly know him. It fits the mold of almost any spy thriller that you can think of, and it works beautifully, creating a superhero movie that isn’t really a superhero movie but equally as entertaining, maybe even more so.
Of all of Scarlett Johansson’s outings as the Black Widow in the MCU, Winter Soldier features her at her best. She is fully capable and autonomous, connected with the other characters well, and not excessively sexualized. While not the main character of the film, Johansson’s Natasha Romanov is a much-needed aid to and foil for Chris Evans’s slightly naïve (at the beginning) and heavily optimistic Steve Rogers/Captain America. She shines as the more jaded and seasoned member of the intelligence community who is able to teach Rogers the ropes and also learn from his interactions with people. Serving as perhaps the second-most dynamic character in the film, getting stronger character development in this than maybe even her own solo film from 2021.
The action scenes of this film hold up as some of the best of both superhero and spy films, featuring solid hand-to-hand action, gunplay, epic setting destruction, and car chases in relatively equal balance. The best action sequence by far is the street fight between the Winter Soldier and his forces and Captain America, Black Widow, and Sam (not yet as Falcon). It features excellent choreography, fun superhero moments, and unique gunplay, setting it apart as one of the most complete and unique action sequences that Marvel and Disney have ever produced and even as one of the best in its genres. The superhero moments from Steve (using his shield to deflect bullets) add to an already well-executed example of street chase combined with street fight that is commonly seen within the spy/espionage genre of film.
Even without its connection to the widely popular Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America: The Winter Soldier stands apart as its own unique offering in the pantheon of Great Films. It is equal parts superhero film and spy thriller, reflecting some of the greatest aspects of both genres. A solid supporting performance from Scarlett Johansson and some of the greatest action sequences ever crafted are added bonuses that push this into the list of the Greatest Films of All Time.