Written by:
Issabella Ver, Year 12
Title: Captain
America: The Winter Soldier
Director: The
Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris
Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson
Rating: 3/5
Compared to Iron Man, Thor and the Avengers
franchise, Captain America: The Winter Soldier didn’t receive the hype
it was expected to get. Nonetheless, is it the underrated underdog of the
Marvel Universe or the least satisfying film of the series?
Based on the box office gross, $512 million is a
success but with Thor: The Dark World’s $644 million sales and Iron Man
3’s billion dollar earnings, it can be said that Captain America isn’t the most
popular, considering Rio 2 overtook the #1 spot in weekly box office sales –
let the figures speak for themselves, so they say. Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s
current rating in Rotten Tomatoes, an online film critiquing database, is 89% -
which is relatively high and consistent with the other standalone Avenger
pictures. However, the other 11% did seem to think that Captain America: The
Winter Soldier is generally a cliché-ridden and CGI dependent film like its
predecessors.
Really, what do you expect? It is an action film,
so CGI is mandatory for the excitement. The majority of those who thought the
movie was a weak link in the chain complained that the CGI got in the way of
everything. In defense of the effects, it was fun to watch and offered
exhilarating visual entertainment especially for families watching with kids
aged 10 or so. They were done excellently, so it wasn’t an eyesore. Still, even
if the graphics didn’t get in the way of everything, it did, to an extent, get
in the way of the development of an identity for the titular hero. Steve
Rogers, in my opinion, had a bigger dilemma than Tony Stark’s New York
PTSD-esque predicament (sorry, not sorry). Put yourself (though, quite
difficult to do so) in his shoes or suit by imaging yourself suddenly waking up
in the 21st century world
fueled by advanced technology. Like a deer in headlights, you’re suddenly
thrust in an environment where you’re culturally shocked – in short, you’re a
fish out of water, a sentiment everyone gets once in a while, and so it’s
somehow relatable. Captain America’s feeling of alienation in his own country
that he fought for was hastily touched upon by the screenwriters. Going back to
the amount of CGI and partially the story line, it was firstly fascinating
seeing the technology that was visualized by the graphics. The actually smart
AI’s (aka not Siri) that recognized voice commands, the advanced weaponry and
even the vehicles, was just overwhelming. Halfway through the film, you’d ask
yourself: are they filming in some actual city or is it all green screen-ed?
Besides, everyone would’ve been dead if it weren’t for their gadgets. Is it
that hard to make this movie with a bit more of realism? It’s not even 2057 in
the movie-verse because it still is 2014. I have an idea, maybe instead of
selling easy-to-choke-on plastic figurines as merchandise, maybe sell those
laser wands? Oh wait you can’t.
CGI wasn’t the only factor that got in a way; while
you’re still digesting the hero’s identity crisis, out comes another one: Bucky
Barnes. Spoilers ahead but in case it wasn’t obvious enough, Bucky Barnes,
otherwise known as the BFF of Steve Rogers, is the brain wiped/washed villain,
the Winter Soldier. There’s a ”friends-turned-foes”
battle between Barnes and Rogers where they fight against each other for
the future of the world. However, amidst all the action, you’re suddenly hit
with Toy Story 3 feels. Barnes becomes Buzz Lightyear (circa his Spanish
reboot) and Captain America becomes sentimental about their shared friendship
by telling the Winter Soldier that he won’t hurt him. See my non-existent tears
flow.
I couldn’t help but see the parallels between the
WikiLeaks suspicion and the paranoia with the added HYDRA plotline. It’s like
they’re trying to show that the American government is not to be trusted with
its Nazi-like surveillance tactics on the citizens (is Edward Snowden a
consultant for this film?) but in the end, the true American, as personified by
Captain America is honest and honest. Is this some sort of paradox? An
exposé-propaganda?
On top of too many things going on, there’s the
advertising. In the words of Darth Vader: “The product placement is strong with
this one.” Need I say more? Chevrolet Apple, Under Armour, and Harley
Davidson are the brands shoved down the audience’s throats. It was a bit
self-deprecating for the brands, especially Chevrolet where the cars were
totaled left and right in the car chase scenes. What message were they trying
to convey? In fairness, they were consistent with Captain America’s patriotism,
because all the brands used were American so they got that right.
In the end, there’s just too much going on. From
one thing to another, even this review doesn’t cover all of the plot jumps.
It’s not the worst film ever, it’s actually good but it could have been great
if it developed on the raw plotline and not affected by moneymaking influences.
I wasn’t going to expect much because the directors, Anthony and Jo Russo don’t
have the best movie portfolios, which include: You, Me and Dupree and Arrested
Development. It seems that Captain America was a big jump from their previous
work. Whether it was too big or the right risk for them, I’m still ambivalent.
What saved the movie is hypocritically what sort of ruined it for me, the
thrill – despite the CGI and martial arts/gunfight abuse, it kept me glued but
on the edge of my seat. Oh, and who can forget Stan Lee?
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