Marvel has really outdone themselves with the long-anticipated sequel to Joe Johnston's Captain America origin story, Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). Smartly hiring the creative geniuses of Anthony and Joe Russo based largely on Marvel Executive Director Kevin Feige being impressed with their work on NBC's irreverent comedy "Community", teamed up with excellent story-tellers, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who also wrote the first Cap film as well as Thor: The Dark World (2013), they forged what is arguably one of the best films ever produced.

As Steve Rogers struggles to adjust to living in a modern world following the events of the Battle of New York some two years earlier, his allegiances come into question when it is discovered that S. H. I. E. L. D. may have some dirty secrets of its own, and Director Nick Fury is branded as a traitor. Unsure of who to trust, he tentatively teams up with Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow, on their journey to find the truth behind the lies. Along the way, they make unexpected alliances in Sam Wilson, a former Air Force Paratrooper, and are hunted by the ghost known only as The Winter Soldier.

Markus and McFeely's screenplay is taut, cohesive, and enthralling from start to finish. The story exudes intrigue and intensity, with so many layers that are peeled back as the narrative unfolds. It is so much more than surface-level action. They take the time to examine what drives the characters, and in a very real way, ground them with doubts and fears we all share. It is as much a character study as it is an action-spy film, and first-time Marvel directors Anthony and Joe Russo ensure that all the pieces fall right into place at the opportune moment.

The Russo Brothers interject a certain realism rarely afforded in the ever-expanding Superhero genre. Somehow, despite the idea of a frozen super soldier being so fantastical, their collective vision allows the film to be firmly grounded in a world where it is entirely believable that this could be happening at our highest level of government (art imitating life a tad too closely, but I'll digress). It therefore possesses this tangible, gritty quality that grips the audience from the beginning, and never relents. From their strategic use of visually interesting locations to spectacular stunt choreography, to the careful introspection of the motives and fears of the main characters, attention is paid to every single detail. Henry Jackman's score is arguably one of the best of its time. The melodic pieces that shift so effortlessly from light and delicate to robust and overpowering carry the intensity of the moments through so that they reverberate within you, bolstered by the exceptional acting talent as well as visually stunning sequences.

As events unfold, Cap begins to see that the modern world clandestinely fights its battles behind cloak and dagger. The hard-won freedom he thought his death secured now appears to be nothing more than a smokescreen, with the powers that be learning how to get their subjects to hand over their freedoms willingly for the sake of 'security', starkly mirroring the very same problems we face in our current reality. Steve must make a decision on what kind of world he wants to live in, and see where the pieces fall. Not only that, but Steve, Natasha, and Fury all find themselves questioning what they had previously known to be true, and who exactly they can trust. This is not only expertly dealt with in the insightful dialogue, but in the way they interact with one another. Exploring these psychological aspects grounded these characters in a way that allowed us to relate to their respective turmoil and tribulations.

Chris Evans returns as Captain Steve Rogers, and really brings his a-game to this new journey that will shake the foundations he thought he had carefully laid. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha Romanoff, the enigmatic spy who waded into a war-largely due to being inspired by Steve. After her, Steve, and the other Avengers battled the aliens in New York, Fury tasked her with helping Steve acclimate to this new world, as well as training him in stealth ops. While the dialogue is already rich, witty, and poignant, Johansson manages to bring a depth and sincerity to Natasha we have not been privy to before. With all her defenses stripped bare and her covers exposed, she finally allows Steve to see the real Natasha, and in so doing, inadvertently discovers a part of herself she had carefully hidden. Scarlett truly does a remarkable job communicating as much with her body language and facial expressions as she does with her words. For anyone who is paying attention, you can see there is so much more that lies beneath the surface that she is just beginning to tap. Not to mention the natural chemistry that her and Evans possess is well-utilized here, given their history and long-standing friendship dating back to 2004 when they co-starred in Brian Robbins' comedy-drama The Perfect Score (2004). Evans and Johansson even wrote a good portion of their dialogue in their scenes together. Their introspective moment at Sam's house showed such a sensitivity and vulnerability, and was heartfelt and moving, showing their need and desire to trust one another. In all the little nuances, you can see that after their years training together, they have developed this effortless second-hand that's magical to watch.

Of course, Samuel L. Jackson is back as the iconic Director Nick Fury, along with Cobie Smulders as his second-in-command, Maria Hill. Jackson succeeds in toning down his usual sarcastic tone, tempered with the severity of the events that transpire, and shining a light on Fury and Nat's connection. Sebastian Stan really has the opportunity to showcase his grit and diversity here, providing the iconic Winter Soldier with a visceral intensity rarely seen before on film. He is very nearly Steve's equal, and their epic fight sequences, mostly performed by Evans and Stan, are true to form. Hayley Atwell turning in a small appearance as the now 90-year-old Peggy Carter was as riveting as it was heartbreaking. Achieving her dramatically-aged persona with a combination of make-up and digital rendering, the effect was seamless.

Part of the film's ability to firmly plant itself in the real world was the Russo's choice of locations. The vast majority of The Winter Soldier's events are filmed at some of the nation's most historical landmarks in Washington, D. C., from the Lincoln Memorial in the opening scene where Steve and Sam are jogging, to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, where Cap single-handedly takes down a QuinJet. The action and fight scenes were filmed mostly in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Perhaps most astoundingly though, while the 'Lumerian Star' is not a real ship, the intriguing sequence was actually filmed aboard the Sea Launch Commander, an originally Scottish ship built by Kvaerner Govan Ltd in Glasgow that first launched in 1997. After Govan went bankrupt, she was acquired by the Russian company Energia. While the Lumerian Star is meant to serve as a satellite launch platform, the real ship functions as a rocket launch platform, and is currently docked in Long Beach, CA. The opening stealth siege by Cap almost single-handedly as the camera pans around the perimeter of the ship provides the necessary scope and scale, and was brilliant to watch! Even the Captain America exhibit in the film is a real exhibit at the Air and Space Museum at D. C.'s Smithsonian, complete with the authentic shield used by Chris Evans during this film! This is really the quintessential example of life imitating art imitating life.

The Russos' choice of not only a variety of different tones for the action sequences as well as a conglomeration of fighting styles really serves to balance the film out. The covert, stealth siege of the Lumerian Star features some superb parkour moves by Evans, an iconic, Bond-style takedown by Natasha to secure the engine room, and a tense build-up leading to taking back the ship. Cap's fight with Batroc, played by a UFC Welterweight Champion George St-Pierre, was well-matched and expertly choreographed. The attack on Fury and subsequent chase, featured as the last scene in the episode of "Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D." that aired prior to the film's release, was both jaw-dropping and exhilarating, employing a low-angle car-mounted camera for some intense moments. Cap's elevator brawl, which premiered as a special sneak peek following Thor: The Dark World (2013), was visceral and intense in a way that cannot be quantified. Evans and Grillo went on record as saying they realized they had to really land their punches, and left each other black and blue by the end-a commitment to their craft.

Cap's ensuing stand-off with the QuinJet on the Roosevelt bridge as he's fleeing the Triskelion was a perfect superhero moment, and one you could only believe at the hands of Captain America. The rooftop scene so perfectly reflected the second-hand that Steve and Nat have developed. The freeway chase scene leading into the brilliant downtown fight was one of the most exhilarating. Most of the hand-to-hand combat scenes between Cap and Bucky were performed by Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan, specifically the amazing knife fight in the middle of the street. The Russos' choice to film this in broad daylight was brilliant-because if you are fortunate enough to have your lead actors so well-trained that they can perform the action themselves, then you certainly want to capture every glorious second of it!

FINAL VERDICT: So seamless and fluid, the film is quite simply perfection. Not only is it one of the best superhero movies of all time, one of the best sequels ever created, but one of the best films as a whole.

10 of 10 - Rewatch Value: 10

~AleXa~ An original IMDB user for over 20 years

Rev July 12, 2022 - 7/12/22 TU in 3D at home.