Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Having not read the comics with his origin, I'm imagining the moniker "Winter Soldier" is a play on the opening lines of Thomas Paine's The American Crisis?"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
And in case you were wondering, I was introduced to Winter Soldier by watching Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
But anyhoose, on to the movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier . . . I greatly enjoyed this movie. Of the three post-Avengers Marvel movies, I have to say this would be my favorite (yes, even more than Thor: The Dark World.) It's equal parts super hero movie, spy movie and political thriller--and all parts done rather well.
Having known that Hydra was responsible for the transformation of Bucky into the Winter Soldier, it was a forgone conclusion that Hydra was to be the main enemy in this movie again--even though we are lead to believe that the organization was over and done with after the defeat of the Red Skull by Cap in the first Cap movie. Turns out the organization is more powerful than ever, operating from the shadows right under the noses of our heroes. Though I have to admit that I initially believed before seeing the movie that Robert Redford's character, Alexander Pierce, was the Red Skull in disguise. I was only partially wrong, since Pierce turned out to be one of the heads of Hydra in this movie.
Speaking of the heads of Hydra, one of the end reveals shows us whom obviously has to be Baron Von Strucker. However, we are also shown that another one of the main baddies in this film, Brock Rumlow, survives but is severely burned. Could he then go on to become this universe's Baron Zemo? EDIT: Turns out Brock Rumlow is Crossbones. My mistake. Though I do wonder . . . when do we get to see Baron Zemo and/or the return of the Red Skull?
I also liked the political intrigue ripped from modern political worries like gov't surveillance, data mining and drone strikes--with the Project: Insight helicarriers being the ultimate, largest drones ever.
As to our heroes, the bond made between Cap and Sam/The Falcon was crafted really well for this Marvel Universe and would totally make sense--two war vets, having experienced loss and looking for their place in this world. Some might bemoan that this Falcon is far removed from the Falcon of the comic (no birdie powers or feather blades), but I'm rather liking this version. And Anthony Mackie seems born to play this role.
Was good to see more Black Widow and more of her backside back story. Even if a lot is still left out. One thing bugs me though--we learn in the movie that in this universe Natasha was born in 1984. And they claim that she was former KGB. Well, did not the Soviet Union and the KGB crumble in 1991 or 1992? That means she was in the KGB employ earlier than age 8? I mean, I know KGB started young . . . but not THAT young!
Other tidbits . . . we finally see why Senator Stern was oh so interested on getting his hands on Tony Stark's technology in Iron Man 2. I liked the way they handled Arnim Zola, but not that he's apparently gone now (he might not be--this is Marvel after all.) I don't think anyone could truly be convinced that Fury was killed when the assassination and surgery happened. No one could be that gullible that the ultimate spy wouldn't be able to convincingly fake his own death. Former UFC Champion, Georges St. Pierre, had some cool scenes. I didn't actually realize that he was supposed to be "The Leaper." I would never have concluded that Sitwell was a Hydra agent all this time. And oh man . . . that scene with Agent Carter T_T
Okay, now for the bad. Most of you know I hate. Hate. HAAAAAAAATE herky, jerky shaky cam. Who the hell shot this movie and thought that every fight scene needed to be shot with shaky cam and split second editing? I don't even remember Quantum of Solace being this bad. I was clenching my fist in rage throughout many of the fight sequences as I wanted to throw something at the screen because the shaky cam and quick edits were pissing me off so much. Is it too much to ask that I be able to see what's going on without having the shot cut every 10th of second? I mean the fight choreography seemed really good . . . just wish I could get a good look at them!
In any case, horrible fight cinematography aside, I enjoyed the movie a lot. I will probably see it again in theaters soon.
PS: I loved the "Path of the righteous man . . ." epitaph on Fury's headstone. Pulp Fiction bitches!
And in case you were wondering, I was introduced to Winter Soldier by watching Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
But anyhoose, on to the movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier . . . I greatly enjoyed this movie. Of the three post-Avengers Marvel movies, I have to say this would be my favorite (yes, even more than Thor: The Dark World.) It's equal parts super hero movie, spy movie and political thriller--and all parts done rather well.
Having known that Hydra was responsible for the transformation of Bucky into the Winter Soldier, it was a forgone conclusion that Hydra was to be the main enemy in this movie again--even though we are lead to believe that the organization was over and done with after the defeat of the Red Skull by Cap in the first Cap movie. Turns out the organization is more powerful than ever, operating from the shadows right under the noses of our heroes. Though I have to admit that I initially believed before seeing the movie that Robert Redford's character, Alexander Pierce, was the Red Skull in disguise. I was only partially wrong, since Pierce turned out to be one of the heads of Hydra in this movie.
Speaking of the heads of Hydra, one of the end reveals shows us whom obviously has to be Baron Von Strucker. However, we are also shown that another one of the main baddies in this film, Brock Rumlow, survives but is severely burned. Could he then go on to become this universe's Baron Zemo? EDIT: Turns out Brock Rumlow is Crossbones. My mistake. Though I do wonder . . . when do we get to see Baron Zemo and/or the return of the Red Skull?
I also liked the political intrigue ripped from modern political worries like gov't surveillance, data mining and drone strikes--with the Project: Insight helicarriers being the ultimate, largest drones ever.
As to our heroes, the bond made between Cap and Sam/The Falcon was crafted really well for this Marvel Universe and would totally make sense--two war vets, having experienced loss and looking for their place in this world. Some might bemoan that this Falcon is far removed from the Falcon of the comic (no birdie powers or feather blades), but I'm rather liking this version. And Anthony Mackie seems born to play this role.
Was good to see more Black Widow and more of her backside back story. Even if a lot is still left out. One thing bugs me though--we learn in the movie that in this universe Natasha was born in 1984. And they claim that she was former KGB. Well, did not the Soviet Union and the KGB crumble in 1991 or 1992? That means she was in the KGB employ earlier than age 8? I mean, I know KGB started young . . . but not THAT young!
Other tidbits . . . we finally see why Senator Stern was oh so interested on getting his hands on Tony Stark's technology in Iron Man 2. I liked the way they handled Arnim Zola, but not that he's apparently gone now (he might not be--this is Marvel after all.) I don't think anyone could truly be convinced that Fury was killed when the assassination and surgery happened. No one could be that gullible that the ultimate spy wouldn't be able to convincingly fake his own death. Former UFC Champion, Georges St. Pierre, had some cool scenes. I didn't actually realize that he was supposed to be "The Leaper." I would never have concluded that Sitwell was a Hydra agent all this time. And oh man . . . that scene with Agent Carter T_T
Okay, now for the bad. Most of you know I hate. Hate. HAAAAAAAATE herky, jerky shaky cam. Who the hell shot this movie and thought that every fight scene needed to be shot with shaky cam and split second editing? I don't even remember Quantum of Solace being this bad. I was clenching my fist in rage throughout many of the fight sequences as I wanted to throw something at the screen because the shaky cam and quick edits were pissing me off so much. Is it too much to ask that I be able to see what's going on without having the shot cut every 10th of second? I mean the fight choreography seemed really good . . . just wish I could get a good look at them!
In any case, horrible fight cinematography aside, I enjoyed the movie a lot. I will probably see it again in theaters soon.
PS: I loved the "Path of the righteous man . . ." epitaph on Fury's headstone. Pulp Fiction bitches!