The reason the Marvel cinematic Universe manages to stay fresh, exciting and surprising is that each hero finds his own sub genre of movies. While Cap's first adventure was a WW2-based origin story, the Russo brothers, directors of shows like Arrested Development and Community, open up an entirely new box in this collection of superhero films: the paranoia thriller.
The film ends up being really convincing in a genre most prominent in the 1970s, where people are shot through apartment walls shortly before revealing the traitor and everyone starts mistrusting anyone else. At the same time, it is still delivering over the top superhero action and funny one-liners, while the ultimate revelation is nothing less than Marvel's biggest game changer to date. Especially the TV show Agents of SHIELD, that found its footing in recent weeks, will most certainly have to react to the puzzling and breathtaking events unveiled here. It would go too far to call this film realistic, especially if you consider the way Cap takes down a jet all by himself, but the underlying message is based on current world events much more than before: don't take away my freedom in favor of a false sense of security.
The film effortlessly includes characters as antithetic as Robert Redford's excellently performed politician and the stone cold bionic assassin Winter Soldier while still flowing perfectly. The creators are also smart enough to have other hero characters enter the spotlight every now and then for their moments to shine, which is just massive fun. Some of the fast-cut shootouts feel like coming from a Michael Mann film, while the showdown is almost as huge and spectacular as the Avengers' battle of New York. This perfect balance of thriller and action sequences makes this just outstanding popcorn entertainment and raises the bar once again.
Watch out for Stan Lee's as well as a Community cameo plus a great Pulp Fiction Easter egg. There are two post credits scenes, the first goose-bump inducing one setting up Avengers: Age of Ultron next year while the other one is teasing what Cap's solo return could deal with in 2016. Keep 'em coming, Marvel. Apparently you can do no wrong.
9 out of 10 falcon wings.
Were those supposed to be people we could figure out from the comic book continuity? Although I suppose "evil" is a little strong, maybe she's a mutant, like Jean Gray? My first impression was that they looked like a couple of possession victims, which makes me wonder if this is getting a supernatural twist? One of the potential "targets" they cite for the new super drones (I know they're manned, but for all intents and purposes, that's what the story is) was named Strange, and I am pretty sure that there's a wizard character in Marvel named Dr. Strange (thank you, Twisted Toyfare Theater). So could they be building up to throwing supernatural stuff like magic and demons (having explained away Thor & the other Aesir as aliens with advanced science) in there? I thought Ghost Rider's movie rights were owned by someone other than whoever's doing the Avengers films, and that sort of thing seems more his millieu.
“Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.” GK Chesteron
Inde muagdhe Aes Sedai misain ye!
Deus Vult!
*MySmiley*
