Ever since Bryan Singer brought comic book superheroes back from the dead, they have been featured in a handful of films each year. The highlights include the reinvented Batman trilogy and X-men: First Class. Flops like Catwoman and Elektra will still make you question, however, why you pay money for Hollywood to take advantage of your favourite superheroes. Captain America: the Winter Soldier luckily belongs to the former category and will go a long way in firmly establishing Marvel Studios' filmmaking credibility. After the events of The Avengers in New York City, Captain America, or Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), is trying to live a quiet 21st century life in Washington, D.C., when a notable S.H.I.E.L.D. member is attacked. Rogers teams up with the Black Widow, or Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), to expose a massive conspiracy that shocks Rogers into the ugly realities of the modern world and presents him with the daunting task of saving a world he does not fully understand. The plot is difficult to explain more fully; on one hand it may spoil part of the film's appeal and, on the other, it does get a bit messy at times. For the most part, however, it makes for a much more complex and thrilling experience than most films in its genre. Two new notable characters emerge in the film. Among them is the title character and villain, The Winter Soldier, who is a genuinely intimidating villain and a worthy match for both Rogers and Romanoff with a back story that adds depth to those unfamiliar with the comics. The other new character is a new ally, the Falcon, with a less interesting story but an important role in the film's plot. The film works so well partly because it is balanced between well-executed set pieces, stunning CGI visual effects and an intriguing plot that does not focus too much on Rogers, but instead uses its superb cast of characters to keep things interesting. Like any superhero movie though, Captain America: the Winter Soldier has a substantial share of bad lines. Robert Redford, in particular, takes the prize for surprisingly stiff acting and his character has the most cliché lines. Besides Redford and a questionable scene with Nick Fury in a hoodie, this is the kind of film that will make you remember how much fun it is to go see a Hollywood blockbuster for pure entertainment. It has a complex enough plot, an interesting villain, a cast of capable characters that could support films in their own right, and thrilling action scenes that keep the pace fast enough to keep the story from getting embroiled in its own conspiratorial plot. If you see any film of this genre this year, Captain America: the Winter Soldier should be it.
