Captain America: The Winter Soldier **** (2014, Chris Evans, Samuel L Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Robert Redford, Sebastian Stan) – Movie Review

‘Gear up! It’s time!’ Chris Evans is back for his fourth appearance as Steve Rogers, in the thrilling 2014 American Marvel Comics superhero film Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

‘Gear up! It’s time!’ – Steve Rogers.

Chris Evans is back for his fourth appearance as Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, who this time is still continuing his adjustment to the modern world and struggling to embrace his role today. Now he has to battle a new threat from old history – the Soviet agent known as The Winter Soldier, aka Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), a super-human who proves a nemesis match for Cap.

Technically though, of course, this is Captain America 2, as after his début in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, he was one of The Avengers in Avengers Assemble [The Avengers] in 2012 and had an uncredited cameo in Thor: The Dark World in 2014. Captain America’s next movie date is the Avengers sequel, Avengers: Age of Ultron, now filming and due out in 2015.

With Evans making a perfect job of Cap, this is one of the best solo Marvel movies to date, with the nailbiting action taking place where Avengers Assemble [The Avengers] (2012) left off.

Cap now lives a quiet life in Washington adjusting to modern life after The Avengers took down Loki and his army. Working for superhero assembler Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) and S.H.I.E.L.D., he meets slick, quipping veteran agent Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford).

Cap’s world is turned upside down by the Winter Soldier, and he needs the help of both Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) aka The Falcon. The trio work to discover more about the Winter Soldier and bring him down, but in the process uncover a much bigger conspiracy.

With a taut, intelligent screenplay by the writing team of Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, loads of explosive action and awesome set pieces, including a memorable elevator fight, directors Anthony and Joe Russo’s perfectly paced and handled movie is a worthy successor to Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and a worthy addition to the packed gallery of great Marvel movies.

There are all the amazing set designs, incredible stunts and action, and marvellous practical effects and visual effects that you hope for. It took six companies to create 2,500 visual effects shots.

Trent Opaloch provides the stunning cinematography and Henry Jackman provides an adrenaline-pumping score. But, perhaps best of all, it’s a personal triumph for Evans.

Evans explains his character’s problems: ‘It’s not so much about his shock with technology… It’s more about the societal differences. He’s gone from the 1940s to today. He comes from a world where people were a little more trusting, the threats not as deep. Now, it’s harder to tell who’s right and wrong. Actions you take to protect people from threats could compromise liberties and privacy. That’s tough for Steve to swallow.’

Ed Brubaker provides the concept and story. Joe Simon and Jack Kirby are the original comic book creators.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America, alongside Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp, Hayley Atwell, Toby Jones, Jenny Agutter, Robert Redford, and Samuel L Jackson.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on 13 March 2014, and was released in the US on 4 April 2014.

Avengers: Age of Ultron had its world premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on 13 April 2015, followed by its European premiere on 21 April 2015 at London’s Vue West End cinema, before its US release on 1 May 2015.

A sequel to The Winter Soldier, titled Captain America: Civil War, also directed by the Russos, premiered at the Dolby Theatre on 12 April 2016 and was released in the US on 6 May 2016.