Let's get it right out there: This was a good movie! It's not deep, not particularly intellectual, and as superhero movies go, it was not overdone (glaring at you, Batman vs Superman and Transformers). This is actually an Avengers movie with Cap's name on it as a headliner. The movie is actually quite political as far as action flicks go. I won't go too much into that to avoid spoilers.
This movie opens in a flashback to 1991, when the Winter Soldier(s) are first created and activated. We see Bucky going through the painful process of Winter Soldier transformation, and we get a backstory about how Hydra created these Winter Soldiers and why. Flash forward, and we are witness to a terrorist attack which summons the Avengers. In this movie (only these, no Hulk):
Captain America
Black Widow
Scarlet Witch
Iron Man/Tony Stark
Hawkeye
Ant Man
Black Panther
Spiderman
Falcon
Winter Soldier
Iron Man/Rhodes
Black Panther is a new addition to the franchise, and he is BAD ASS. He appears to be as strong or stronger than Bucky (Winter Soldier), and has some interesting powers. I'll let the movie introduce him properly. And a pleasant surprise is FINALLY a great Spiderman who better fills the role as laid out in the comics. He is a teen, like he is supposed to be, and without any girlfriend baggage in this movie. And he is super BAD ASS. He and Stark have great chemistry in this film. BTW, this is the most thoughtful Tony Stark ever portrayed in these Marvel films. Robert Downey Jr has made this his, and he has fleshed out the role like nobody else really could at this point. He can grow old doing this.
The story behind this movie is political. Not subtle either. It is at the center of the "civil war" (which is fought between these Avenger superheroes). Again, I cannot give details without spoiling it, but it does not bog down the film and gives things a twist. I do find it more interesting than bringing in yet another baddie from outside to deal with. And we are not talking about Hydra here. And there is a lot of comedic light-heartedness in this. It is a great balance.
Visually? This movie has a lot of great special effects eye candy, but no cities being destroyed (that is getting too old now). The effects are very well employed, part of the story, and look convincing enough. I also like the fact that each of our heroes display some limitations to their powers. We see how the powers of one superhero are weaknesses to another, and we see strategies being played out.
Overall, this is a solid entry in the Marvel franchise, and the ending sets up a very interesting dynamic that will have to be resolved in the next film in order to move forward. Think of this as a loosely constructed two parter (three parter?). I give this movie four out of five stars.
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