Even people who hate America love it when Chris Evans is supporting it in a star-spangled spandex suit. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is this weeks throwback film! Naturally, as a huge Marvel fan (and self-proclaimed Bucky Barnes enthusiast) I had to review this film eventually.
Who doesn’t love a good action film? I mean honestly? You’re getting random explosions and sweaty hunks every time the camera pans left or right! All of that aside, this throwback is an excellent example of a great action film. It has every quality I look for in this genre: 1) no pointless romantic subplots 2) explosions and a LOT of them 3) a plot that has depth. How many times have you watched an action film with a random, and usually very pointless, romantic sub plot that takes away from the actual story (looking at you, The Avengers: Age of Ultron). This film does not do this, and it’s so refreshing. This action film is great because it stays so true to what it is! It doesn’t genre-jump at all. I went to see an action film full of explosions, and that is what I left with! Finally, the writers should pat themselves on the back for having a really deep plot in a genre that it is often easy to have a very “fluffy” plot line in.
Now, let’s talk about the Winter Soldier. If you’re avoiding all spoilers, it is in your best interest to skip this paragraph! SPOILERS AHEAD!
For those who stayed around, I have so much to say about this and keeping it to one paragraph is a struggle. If any of you feel as strongly about the Winter Soldier as I do, feel free to find me on campus and we’ll cry together. With that being said, if you aren’t a follower of the Captain America comics, you may not know that the Winter Soldier is actually Sgt. James Buchannon Barnes, or Bucky, Cap’s best friend who was captured by HYDRA, brainwashed and turned into a super solider. Bucky has always been a favorite of mine, so naturally I felt personally attacked by most of his time on screen. The hardest moment in this film to watch is in the last minutes, when Cap and the Winter Soldier (it’s important to differentiate that this is not Bucky, as he is brainwashed) are fighting. Cap says, “Then finish it! ‘Cause I’m with you ‘til the end of the line!” The Winter Soldier looks as if he’s seeing everything for the first time. It’s truly heartbreaking, and superb acting on Sebastian Stan’s part.
Finally, as always, it’s time to talk triggers. It can be a touchy subject but it’s important to know what could potentially cause harm your mental health. In this film there is no sexual content or animals being harmed or killed! Triggers to be alert for: possible epilepsy warning for explosions, anxiety from violence and a very small torture scene, strong emotional triggers (e.g. death, war, etc.), and finally, I think some people may find the Winter Soldier’s condition in general to be triggering for mental illnesses.
I will close by saying, I would recommend this film to anyone who is a Marvel fan, a Captain America fan, or an action film fan. Now, go to the “end of the line” and see this film!
RATING: 4.5/5