Film Review- "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

Let's just get this out of the way right now. This may be the best film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Directed By Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson  Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Cobie Smulders, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Redford

Winter Soldier takes place two years after The Avengers, and Steve Rogers (Evans) is still adjusting to how the world has changed. He's joined up with SHEILD, working closely with Agent Romanoff aka Black Widow (Johansson) and Nick Fury (Jackson). Rogers soon starts to have problems with how Fury and SHEILD operate, as not everything is in black & white in the world anymore. The lines between right and wrong are blurred.

When trouble starts brewing among the ranks of SHEILD, Captain America is targeted as a fugitive, and he and Romanoff go on the run, and soon start to uncover a massive conspiracy. Teaming up with Sam Wilson aka The Falcon (Mackie), and Maria Hill (Smulders), they set out to restore order and, quite literally save the world. But Rogers soon faces a ghost of his past, in the form of the master assassin, The Winter Soldier (avoiding spoilers for those who haven't read the comics…or can't see the obvious).

This film is non-stop action and drama. You may have heard it been called a "political thriller" and rightfully so. The plot, and what's going on with SHEILD in the film isn't difficult to follow, despite what some reviews have stated. It's is the very definition of a game changer, for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Really, this film is mind blowing. While it borrows heavily from Ed Brubaker's "Winter Soldier" arc in the comics, the film adapts to the blueprints of the MCU franchise, and stands more than well enough on its own. Not to mention, the film does a great job of commenting on today's society, and how we and the government operate.

The ensemble cast of this film is amazing. Chris Evans gives his best performance as Steve Rogers in this film, after what the character has gone through in Captain America and The Avengers. Scarlett Johansson is given much more to do as Black Widow than she has in past films, and rightfully so. Her chemistry with Evans is clear and she continues to own this character. Anthony Mackie solidifies his status as movie star with this film. The Falcon gives him a real chance to show off his acting chops.

All the supporting players from the past, Cobie Smulders and Samuel L. Jackson included, once again give it their all. Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce is subtle but brilliant. Sebastian Stan doesn't really stand out, but when he's on screen you've got your eyes on him. It really is impossible to go through every member of this film's cast it's so large, but just trust me, they're all amazing.

There's plenty of Easter eggs for Marvel fans to enjoy looking for in this film, and honestly…I can't find any flaws with it. Maybe with a second viewing I could find some, but I don't think I'd have much luck. Captain America: The Winter Solider is an amazing film. It changes everything what has been and what will be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's a film you cannot miss, even if you're a non-Marvel fan. No can deny, this is one of the best films of the year.