The film initially focuses mainly on Steve in this modern age, opening with a rescue mission with Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Frank Grillo (Brock Rumlow), instantly setting up the film by being more than just a simple prelude - Steve Rogers is already questioning his authority’s actions. His exploration of the new world, with a emotional reappearance of a certain character and early stages of a romance helping bridge the old and new when it comes to Steve’s friendships. But things quickly turn dark, as Steve, Natasha and Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) have to team up against the mysterious Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).
The plot is filled to the brim with twists and turns, and each is better than the last. You feel the same way towards S.H.I.E.L.D as Steve does, and whenever an agent comes about you don’t know if you can trust them or not. They even consider Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) as the brains behind enemy organisations, which leads to an intense sequence involving the masked menace. You don’t feel trustworthy to new characters like Agent 13 (Emily VanCamp) or Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford), and early on you don’t even think Romanoff as an ally. But once we return to an old location, you know just what’s happening, and it terrifies you. Steve is considered an outcast - on constant watch and given an assassination attempt as seen in the trailers - and this news and the identity of the Soldier makes it all the more personal. With a nailbiting conclusion, it leaves you satisfied and craving more.
Unlike previous Phase 2 films, it relies less on the humour which has allowed laugh-a-minute moments and more on the situation at hand, and it helps build the tone of the film. Most of the comedic moments come between Mackie and Evans, who clearly have a strong on-screen rapport and allows the reliance on one another to seem more realistic. When it comes to Marvel and humour, they always succeed on initial viewings, but can quickly tire on rewatches - even with such classic moments like “Puny God” - so it makes a refreshing change for the franchise as it prepares itself for Avengers: Age of Ultron in 2015.
There are no weak performances within the story, with each actor performing each brilliant line with great conviction. Poor Cobie Smulders does have yet another limited role in the film, appearing briefly at the beginning and in the flesh by in the end, but she does well with the little she’s got. Emily VanCamp is also limited in her role, despite the true extent of her character - but with a third film on the horizons for 2016 it’s likely that she’ll be given a lot more room, as she too does well with what she’s got. All the new characters, in particular Anthony Mackie, make strong impressions with their roles. with Mackie being one I definitely look forward to seeing more of in the future. As for the recurring cast, the main team are as excellent as ever with Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson both making strong leads without the usual romance angle forced down the audience’s throats. Even characters who you weren’t expecting to return make some nice little appearances, bar one from a film who is still as annoying as ever (although for good reason…). There’s one character who doesn’t even make much of an appearance physically, but as soon as you hear their voice you instantly fear what’s to come.
The Winter Soldier may be a tad overlong and with a couple of underused characters, but by the end it leaves you craving more and the next instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite newbie directors (who have only previously worked on Community, with a small reference to it within the film), they keep the entire film thrilling and exciting. Add the improvements to the after credits sequences - the last one is vital to the plot rather than just a kiss or a humourous moment like previously - I look forward to their work in the future. It’s a whirlwind ride which everyone should join in on the journey. 9/10
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