Film Review: Captain America 2: The Winter Solider

Director: Anthony and Joe Russo

The latest instalment in the MARVEL comics franchise and the second in the Captain America series. After a slightly underwhelming first film we see an excellent bounce back film as Steve Rogers returns to face the latest threat to the planet that has been growing since his creation during the Second World War. Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson also reprise their roles with Robert Redford also making an appearance. The film is already a huge commercial success with profits over $500 million and a third film has already been commissioned with the Russo brothers returning to direct.

With the members of SHIELD at odds after Captain America (Chris Evans) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) are sent on the same mission but with different tasks by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). In the midst of this lack of trust, the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) ambushes Nick Fury as he goes to meet him someone and they realise they have a large threat within SHIELD to battle against.

The Winter Solider battles Captain America

As stated above, this was a very accomplished second film which certainly elevates the Captain America series to the level of Iron Man leaving Thor trailing in his wake. Admittedly Chris Evans is no Robert Downer Jr especially in the charisma department but he's more than strong enough here with the help of Scarlett Johansson and Anthony Mackie as Falcon. The story has a lot of well placed action with an intriguing story with the battle being against more than just a rogue villian in the Winter Soldier. Some plot elements are slightly predictable as the film develops but it still provides more than enough thrills to last the over two hour run time. The script is witty and sharp at times which elevates it from the rest in genre.

3/4 Impressive second instalment sets the tone for future sequels