In stark contrast to their previous effort, Thor: The Dark World, Marvel Studios with their new effort, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, prove why they are one of the more successful studios in Hollywood at the moment.
This is because unlike some of their previous solo fares, which felt like counting down time till the big, surgery treat that was the mammoth of a team up film- The Avengers. Instead it feels right from scene one that it is focused, has something to say and is compelling and respectful of where it comes from.
The screenplay written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely has many dimensions to it. Firstly it is an adaptation of the iconic Winter Soldier storyline from the famed and much acclaimed Ed Brubaker run of the character. Furthermore it is a sequel to both the first Captain America picture and the Avengers.
As an adaptation, it takes many liberties with the storyline which is understable given that the comic had a different emphasis and status quo. However the way the Winter Soldier in weaved into the narrative is done well. This is despite the fact, that near the end, I wanted a little bit more focus on the backstory of the character.
But to the screenwriters credit, what they really succeeded in doing beyond constructing a good adaptation of the story is crafting a narrative that provides the film with an excellent external and internal conflict that both harmonise well thematically and pave an interesting path for future Marvel films.
Taking a seed of an idea that was just hinted at in The Avengers, both Markus and McFeeley take the ambiguous nature of Shield and decide to put it under the microscope and the result is an interesting political thriller that has themes of trust, technological surveillance and the old versus new.
This greatly ties into Steve`s personal story who does not know what to do with his future as well as having shrouding doubt of how to cope with this new world he is now in, evident by some of the beginning scenes.
The Russo brothers in their direction, match the necessities of the screenplay very well. They certainly know how to construct action scenes which is evident by two sequences in particular.
The first being the starting one that in its ambition, editing and execution almost matches the dizzying heights and intensity of the Bank Robbery scene in The Dark Knight. The second was the street fight between Steve and the Winter Soldier, that was brutal and effective with a great pay of for the characters.
That is perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to the directing duo, they root things in character and story which are both handled well by great editing and pacing that leaves the audience wanting more. This is best shown in the finale which instead of focusing on big spectacle feels like an a series of tense encounters that drive the thematic points of the story home.
In fact it was so refreshing that after the quote on quote big climax, there was still the internal conflict to deal with and the screenwriters do not forget about it at all, a mistake which other big budget movies frequently do.
In the middle of both these elements, the acting is no small thing to be snuffed at. Chris Evans provides his definitive performance as Steve Rogers, providing great conviction, uncertainty and emotional pathos. The supporting cast, allows some previous small parts to be raised and both Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L Jackson play on the extended screen time well. The former of which bringing previous unseen comic timing and latter bringing great vulnerability and gravitas that feels emotionally true. But it is Sebastian Stan as The Winter Soldier who steals the showing, demonstrating great screen presence in a fierce near silent performance that helps the film tremendously.
Henry Jackman musically demonstrates great range with an experimental score that also adheres to Alan Silvestri nostalgic, patriotic score of the previous picture. The highlight being the track entitled Winter Soldier which is this creepy fusion of sounds, that feel like that could have fitted into Tobe Hooper's Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The track is a combination of machine like sounds and shrill screaming, the latter of which fits the initial description of the character which is a ghost. It works well within the movie as the motif that underscores his time on screen.
Overall, Captain America: The Winter Soldier represents the best solo effort from Marvel Studios, with its tight story which has a great internal and external conflict, strong performances, a fine ambitious script, tight direction and a tone that feels fun and serious in equal measures. This picture proves the Captain to be the most versatile hero out of the lot and the gauntlet is truly thrown down for the next few pictures that come out of the famed comic book studio.