MovieChat Forums > Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Discussion > There’s depth, angst and pathos to the m...

There’s depth, angst and pathos to the max. Superb!

posted 10 years ago by vicvonfate
45 replies | jump to latest

I really enjoyed the origin and First Avenger but this movie is darker than the original film. It has a whole new flavor and that's exactly what was needed. The 1940’s romance and even the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" tone fit the first film quite nicely but would have been out of place in this story. Just like Cap, adaptation is a key. Steve is still an unquestioning patriot but he shifts from being an unquestioning soldier. This is where his old-fashioned values pay off. Questioning what is wrong and questioning what is morally cloudy is a test of true character. That is exactly why the character of Steve Rogers is so interesting. He’s so much more than a super soldier boy scout. There’s depth, angst and pathos to the max. He is out-of-place and he is old-fashioned but proud of that in a way. He also is an enhanced thinker so it’s not like modern era gadgets confound him. It’s all played just right.

The story itself is a good old fashion action thriller with a ton of intrigue. Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this clever. Everything about this movie is a joy to watch. Tha cast is perfect and everyone is used exceptionally well. This could be the best sequel the genre has seen. It’s Marvel’s best sequel for sure.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] derbomber910 10 years ago

Both of those movies you mentioned are sequels.

[–] vicvonfate 10 years ago

There's no question that TDK and Spider-Man 2 are classics but this film will be considered right there with them in the same breath.

[–] ThomasMagnumPI 10 years ago

Spider-Man 2 and X2 are the true classic sequels and now so is TWS.

[–] blackdoug 10 years ago

I have no question this film will land in my top three films when I read most of these raves and reviews. Is this considered Cap's trilogy already?

[–] vicvonfate 10 years ago

This film finds Captain America still adjusting to the modern day, while working under the increasingly morally ambiguous government agency S.H.I.E.L.D. The set up is masterfully done. This is the third time we’ve seen the character and it’s by far the most complex. The Avengers film touched bit with his feelings of what it was like to be in the modern era, but besides the deleted scenes, they had no time to dive in to the subject matter in that movie. That’s not the case here. This is a wonderful character study to go along with a purely thrilling plot. This was exactly the perfect vehicle to deliver the film the character deserves at this time. What makes Steve/cap interesting isn’t his abilities but the man himself. The “man out of time” to be exact. He must come to terms with a past that is long gone and a longing for a better more decent era. Dealing with the shades of grey of the modern era and being part of an organization like S.H.I.E.L.D. is taking its toll on a member of “the greatest generation.” As he's finding his way, his past comes back and explodes all throughout his new life.

Enter The Winter Soldier, who is an amoral assassin and an agent of shady government rogues. Saying any more about what is an ultimately cool character would be a spoiler. Fans of the books know who he is and what he’s about but movie fans need to find their own way.

[–] blackdoug 10 years ago

The shades of gray and the character depth are why Marvel has been on top in publishing for the past three decades. Taking that to the big screen is only natural.

[–] SpanishRicky 10 years ago

A core theme surrounding Cap is the idea that he once used to represent America and has now become alien to modern thoughts and values due to the passage of time.

[–] blackdoug 10 years ago

That plays out masterfully. You see his doubts and fears manifest early. It really is great writing and on a par with the best films no matter the genre.

Peggy's scene shows why he is still doing it and yes, made me tear up a bit.

Also, after Sam's talk to the veteran's group that whole exchange and not knowing what makes him happy.

[–] Coneydogg 10 years ago

I was expecting

that Cap would turn to Peggy for information later in the film. Maybe that's a deleted scene?

[–] blackdoug 10 years ago

Then again, why bother Peggy when she is suffering from what looks like Alzheimer's Disease. Even if she's coherent that would be cruel to let her know SHIELD was compromised right from the start.

[–] ThomasMagnumPI 10 years ago

I wonder if they screwed the writers of the TV series with this Peggy stuff? When will Howard get it in the car accident? Every time he gets in a car on the series we are all going to freak out.

[–] t_smitts 10 years ago

Howard Stark did not die until the early 90's. They're certainly not going to kill him off in the 40's, which is more than 20 years before Tony was even born.

[–] Coneydogg 10 years ago

Peggy can be brought forward in time like Beast is doing with the original X-Men in the books right now.

[–] John_T_Chance 10 years ago

Genetic mutations may hold the key to a long life. I wonder if Peggy's been juiced?

[–] ThomasMagnumPI 10 years ago

Coming to grips with that but not giving in is what makes the character and thus this film so good.

[–] StarkTech 10 years ago

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

[–] John_T_Chance 10 years ago

Honest towards ourselves and towards anyone else who is a true Marvel fan!

[–] Logan8888 10 years ago

Were extremely pleased with our results this quarter, delivering double-digit increases in operating income across all of our businesses and the highest quarterly earnings per share in the history of the Company, said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. Our continued strong performance reflects the strength of our brands, the quality of our content, and our unique ability to leverage creative success across the entire Company to drive value.

[–] sudoku 10 years ago

I agree with everything you say.
Cap really has depth.

"I love inside jokes. I hope to be a part of one some day." (Michael Scott)

[–] Coneydogg 10 years ago

That's the key and also why word of mouth will be so good.

Sure it's a great film but general audiences expect Cap to be a boy scout and as dull as Superman. Their expectations will all be blown away when they see the depth and complexity of this film.

[–] Allswell007 10 years ago

Depth leads to loyalty because fans feel close to the characters. That's exactly what Spider-Man has done wrong with the reboot. No one really cares because they flesh out no characters.

[–] Splarne 10 years ago

...and then watch the movie before i agree.

***
You have reached the end of the internet, time to click somewhere else.

[–] Coneydogg 10 years ago

What does that mean? Who hasn't seen it?

[–] ThomasMagnumPI 10 years ago

People that haven't seen this movie should not see the latest SHIELD TV episode because it is the rest of the story.

[–] John_T_Chance 10 years ago

People that haven't seen this movie should not see the latest SHIELD TV episode because it is the rest of the story.

Now we're getting The Cellist in tonight's episode. That's right out of Avengers.

[–] Allswell007 10 years ago

Marvel creates the highest, grandest vision possible for everyone one of their projects.

[–] blackdoug 9 years ago

With Rogers, Fury, and Romanoff previously established, directors Joe and Anthony Russo do a magnificent job at expanding these characters – along with some secondary characters we've seen before – providing more depth to understanding their actions and how they will affect future stories. Sam Jackson has a stronger presence this time around, validating Nick Fury as a main staple in the MCU among the big boys. Captain America is stronger, faster, and a more refined soldier, equipped with better fighting skills and understanding of current technology. Evans plays the earnestness of Captain America's black and white morality with convincing finesse in an age of grey that he has yet to find a comfortable middle. And Johansson progresses the allure of the cunning and multifaceted Black Widow, while bringing a splendid and lively balance to Rogers' straight and narrow.

Damn straight.

[–] captainamerica50 8 years ago

Is this still considered the best film of 2014?

[–] MovieMystro 8 years ago

This is the best film of 2014 but it's no longer the best Captain America film. Who would have thought that?

[–] MariMcCabe 8 years ago

Its hard to rank the CA movies because they're all equally strong. Very rare for a trilogy.

[–] TheIrishAvenger 10 years ago

Very much agree with the OP. I discussed my thoughts and opinions on it here: http://davecsimpson.wordpress.com/2014/04/10/captain-america-the-first -and-best-avenger-a-winter-soldier-review/

http://davecsimpson.wordpress.com/ for reviews and articles on music, movies & TV.

[–] Logan8888 10 years ago

To sum up, Captain America: The Winter Soldier has cemented the character of Steve Rogers and the Captain America film series as the best the MCU has to offer for me, perhaps even the best the superhero genre has to offer.

No perhaps about it. This is the best sequel the genre has ever produced.

[–] IronBallsM 10 years ago

Cap 2 is not only the definitive Captain America film, but it's the best film fro Marvel Studios beating out IM3 and the Avengers. The Russo's have proved themselves and it's no wonder why Marvel needs them back for the 3rd installment.

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[–] blackdoug 10 years ago

http://katekrake.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/max-power-max-power-ab breviate-simpsons-homer-demotivational-poster-1207669931.jpg

There's three ways to do things; the right way, the wrong way and the Max Power way!

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