Though I may not be very familiar with the comics from which they are based, I have, for the most part, enjoyed the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. From “The Avengers,” to the more recent “Iron Man 3” and “Thor 2,” the films are consistently fun, and rarely a dull experience. And somehow, Marvel has outdone itself once more with “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” creating possibly their most thrilling film to date, with the possible exception of “The Avengers.” It is the start of what should be a promising summer for movies.
“The Winter Soldier” takes place approximately 2 years after the events of “The Avengers.” Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is still adjusting to life in the modern world, after being frozen in ice for 70 years after what happened to him in “Captain America: The First Avenger.” He now works for S.H.I.E.L.D., headed by Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson). But, things are starting to shake up, as an attack is soon made on S.H.I.E.L.D’s own members. It is up to Cap to save the day, along with Natasha Ramanoff aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and newly found friend Sam Wilson aka Falcon (Anthony Mackie).
What makes “The Winter Soldier” so engaging is not only its intense action sequences, but also its  refreshingly original story. Think of an espionage thriller similar to “The Bourne Identity,” in which an evil organization is running beneath a seemingly good one, and is also secretly led by high-level officials, including one named Alexander Pierce (shrewdly played by Robert Redford). The ultimate plan of this evil organization may be one that has been overdone, but the journey to get there is full of twists and turns, even relating back to Captain America’s own past in several ways. It makes what would have been a typical action film into something deeper, where the quiet moments are just as enjoyable as the loud ones.
That being said, this action superhero film is also everything you hoped it would be. Captain America, who seems from the outset to be Marvel’s most “boring” superhero, is here a joy to watch. He tumbles around with his powerful star-spangled shield, blocking off bullets while simultaneously slamming bad guys left and right; he sprints across the screen at super speeds, never appearing to tire or slow down; and he kicks and punches with karate and jiu-jitsu moves, with no one standing much of a chance against him.
But, it also appears that Captain America might have met his match, as he soon confronts a powerful soldier with the same abilities as himself, known as the Winter Soldier. The intense battles between the two bring us even to the point where we worry if Cap is going to make it (although planned sequels might already answer that question). Moments like this help to humanize the character, as we realize that, behind the colorful suit, this is also a human being, even if a super-charged one. Chris Evans, who plays Captain America, brings heart and soul to the role.
Completing the trio of superheroes is Black Widow, who was before seen in “Iron Man 2” and also “The Avengers,” and a new character named Falcon who, equipped with a winged flight suit, literally flies across the screen, as his name suggests. The scenes between the three characters are among the most entertaining in the Marvel series, especially in the climactic final battle. And keep an eye out for Nick Fury, who has a much larger role in this film than he has in the past.
“The Winter Soldier” may be a darker entry in the Marvel series, yet it is still ripe with that light-hearted humor so typical to them, which comes at the most precise moments. It is easy to tell that Anthony and Joe Russo, who direct the film, have a background in comedy, as their timing is always just right. For humor, thrills, action, and even some unexpected emotion, “The Winter Soldier” is hard to beat.
And be sure to stick around for a scene after the credits, which shows a scene that is a tie-in to what is sure to be another enjoyable entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.