sugarate00’s review published on Letterboxd:
I had a whole badass review that I was psyched to share and Letterboxd just obliterated it before my eyes. I could cry. I’m going to try and summarize it in a nutshell. It went something like this: what I’m about to say may knock your socks off. Maybe I’ve been sipping a little too much of the Cap koolaid lately, but Captain America: Winter Solider just may be the best superhero political thriller next to The Dark Knight this century. Yes I said that. I know It’s a bold statement and I don’t say it lightly because I know that’s one hell of a heated debate.
As some say the film models itself after TDK. Maybe it does. Maybe it doesn’t. I can’t say for sure the Russo’s pulled from Nolan’s playbook. I can say however that they both ditched the superhero formulaic blueprint in favor of a more grounded reality. The Russo bros. executing a marvel film with laser like precision, trimming the fat and essentially pulling off a Houdini of strategic proportions by composing an unprecedented marvel film that eloquently combines drama and action. Hell its a remarkable feat any filmmaker should be proud to accomplish.
As Captain America: Winter Solider is a game changer, showing what a hero film can and should be. Setting its characters in gritty modern day Washington D.C. in a seemingly imperfect, but just world. Of course, this is the facade of corruption masquerading in plain sight. It may not be as destitute and forsaken as Gotham City, but it’s just as broken. And it’s problems are real. Which is what makes this film so brilliant. Like any good political or crime thriller it’s a race for truth and justice. An the film presents to us a world where everything Captain America stands for and believes is threatened. What does the loyal solider of S.H.I.E.L.D do when the organization he trust can no longer be trusted?
The film playing into themes of truth and lies. Constantly contrasting characters beliefs. Natasha and Fury who have trust issues versus Steve who mostly places his trust in others without question. As this safety net seems to come crashing down all around them. But it’s not just the seeds of evil working its way from within. A fantastical homegrown terrorism that makes this film excel. It’s the use of real world problems. Like soldiers returning from war only to be forgotten and struggling with fitting into the world they left behind. In this case even more difficult for the man out of time. The first scene between Cap and Sam being one of the best opening setups, as they swap bed tips. And I seriously love that Cap has a list to reacclimatize himself into society (Star Wars).
While it’s not only the political corruption of Hydra that pushes this film into new territory, but the insanely over the top choreographed action sequences. Looking more like something pulled out of a scene of Mission Impossible. High-octane. Cut-throat. Back-breaking with enough of an adrenaline rush to make you wet your pants. None of the fighting scenes are extraneous and every single one elevates the narrative stakes. The stuntmen and women here deserve all the praise. The elevator and highway scenes are really some next level shit. Completely magnificent and executed to perfection. I’m awestruck every time I watch. Half the crap they do shouldn’t even be humanly possible.
Of course it’s the cast though that makes this thing truly pop. As we get to see their relationships develop. Natasha and Steve becoming closer, with her finally showcasing real vulnerability in addition to her badass repertoire. Fury getting to show his true colors, but still keeping it real. And Sam is the absolute perfect complement to Steve bringing with him a little humor and swag. While Redford is a fantastically smart choice. Yet I love that he plays against type. An I also love that the villain isn’t obvious here either. Even Grillo is freaking awesome. Although Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes is the real star here, in full on terminator mode. Meanwhile I think it goes without saying that Chris Evan is f****** spectacular. However, I just want to turn to Steve sometimes and say, “why so serious?”
Bottom line I’m obsessed with this film. In fact I already want to watch it again. Crazy right? How I ever thought it was just okay is the greatest mystery of my modern existence and I sincerely apologize. I swear it gets 10x better every time I watch. It’s never boring, so dynamic and energizing. Intense, and constantly full of suspense. Highly entertaining. This film moves at a breakneck pace, but slows down at just the right moments and yet manages to never lose momentum — simply put I could talk about this all day.