MOVIE REVIEW: Captain America

GENRE: Sci-fi action adventure

RUNNING TIME: 136 minutes

STARRING: Chris Evans (The Avengers), Scarlett Johansson (Hitchcock), Sebastian Stan (The Apparition), Anthony Mackie (Gangster Squad) and Samuel L. Jackson (Django Unchained)

DIRECTED BY: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo (You, Me and Dupree)

RATING: 7/10

Currently screening at Ster-Kinekor Northgate.

PLOT: Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is living in Washington and working for SHIELD as Captain America. He is on a mission to retrieve a SHIELD device with fellow Avenger Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). Rogers catches Natasha downloading data from the computers on the ship of the Algerian pirates they were taking down. This enrages Rogers as he was not briefed about this part of the mission. In an attempt to gain his trust SHIELD director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) reveals to Rogers top-secret machines called helicarriers that are designed ‘to eliminate threats before they occur’.

When Fury is attacked, he leaves the flash drive with the information from the ship in Rogers’ hands and a warning to trust no one as he believes SHIELD has been compromised. Rogers refuses to divulge information given to him by Fury to Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford) who then brands him a fugitive. Together with Natasha and fellow veteran and friend Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie); Rogers must fight a new kind of war.

THE GOOD: Chris Evans brings, with his superb acting, a vulnerability to Captain America. He is brave and bold yet emotional and relatable. The story is well written with good twists and turns, and the action sequences are well executed and thoroughly enjoyable. Using wide shots and high-angles gives viewers unlimited access to the movie universe, which makes for a great viewing experience. The addition of characters such as Black Widow and The Falcon are a treat for die-hard Marvel comic fans.

THE BAD: The ending felt rushed and strung together, as if it was just an attempt to resolve all the plot points. The villain is not properly fleshed out and the final show-down between him and Captain America did not have the emotional impact the movie set the viewer up for.

VERDICT: Despite a weak ending, the movie is very solid with many critics and fans calling it the best Marvel comic movie ever made. The emotional exploration of the hero’s journey, the casting, the performances and the visual style all make Captain America: The Winter Soldier absolute action satisfaction.

Special thanks to Ster-Kinekor Northgate for making the review possible.