The story of Cap 2 follows the acclaimed Winter Soldier comic storyline by author Ed Brubaker, and artist Steve Epting, in which the star spangled superhero Captain America's (Chris Evans) sidekick Bucky (Sebastian Stan) is resurrected as a brainwashed super-assassin known as The Winter Soldier The tale also follows that Peggy's (played by Hayley Atwell in Captain America: The First Avenger) niece Sharon (Revenge star Emily VanCamp) meets Cap.
It's two years after the Battle of New York, as chronicled in The Avengers, and we find Steve Rogers living in Washington D.C--working for S.H.I.E.L.D--while still trying to adjust to modern 21st century living. Rogers, agent Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow, (Scarlett Johansson) and a S.T.R.I.K.E. team are set on a mission to rescue hostages being held on a S.H.I.E.L.D vessel by the mercenary Batroc (UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre) and his men. As the mission unfolds Rogers discovers Romanoff has another agenda: to extract data from the ship's computers for S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).
After an action packed rescue of the hostages Rogers returns to the agency's headquarters, to confront Fury and is told about Operation Insight: three Helicarriers that are linked to spy satellites,and designed to preemptively eliminate threats. Fury, unable to decrypt Romanoff's recovered data, becomes suspicious about Insight. Soon the past comes back to confront Cap in a very personal way in a battle save S.H.I.E.L.D. from a threat growing within--having major consequences for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe...
Of the Phase Two films released so far--with "Guardians Of The Galaxy" and Joss Whedon's superhero team up sequel "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" left to go--Cap 2 is my favorite. The film is more plot heavy than both "Iron Man 3" and "Thor: The Dark World" were. Yet thanks to great performances all around, a tight script by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely and great direction from Joe and Anthony Russo the film never slows or feels overcrowded. I usually complain when comic book films seemingly cram too many characters or subplots into a film-just for the sake of giving them screen time--read my review of Spider-Man 3 and my review of Iron Man 2 and you should understand what I mean. I think since Avengers Marvel has gotten better at ensuring that a crowded movie can work. It doesn't mean that I think it can't happen again-- It's not as much of a concern now is all. Even the supporting players "feel" like they have earned their spot on the roster here--in service of the plot-That said the the film still resonates as a Cap film. I am mighty glad that Marcus, Mcfeely and the Russo boys will return to chart "Captain America 3"
Evans delivers great work here--displaying the ability to do all the hero stuff as well as the nuances of a man literally out of time. There is heaps of chemistry between Evans and Scar-Jo/Evans and VanCamp even with the latter getting less screen time. It will be interesting to see which direction these dynamics will go in from here.
Stan's Winter Soldier is indeed a total Bad Ass. Those familiar with the comic book incarnation will not be disappointed, The action and fight sequences are quite thrilling to witness. and I think top any Marvel film thus far. The ambush on the highway between Cap Winter Soldier Widow and Anthony Mackie's Falcon is my favorite in the film. Just spectacular.
I also enjoyed the film's healthy dose of political theater--made better by the presence of screen icon and All the President's Men star Robert Redford who obviously enjoyed himself as Pierce--a leader in the S.H.I.E.L.D organization.
Captain America 2 delivers on all fronts. A must see folks..I can't wait see it again!
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