‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ Review: Marvel Goes Rogue

“Captain America: The First Avenger” was a clear indication that for Marvel Studios the super hero movie wasn’t a genre in itself, but just a framework to tell all kinds of stories. John Johnston’s film was an old school adventure movie set in a black and white world with good guys punching the bad guys in the face. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” represents the logical next step, centering everything around today’s complex and questionable defense apparatus.

Thor flies around with a red cape like Superman. But the hero that is as inspiring as Richard Donner’s boy scout is Steve Rogers. Following the comparison with DC/Warner adaptations, this sequel is more like Christopher Nolan’s Batman. If the “Inception” director took the character a do a crime movie (The Dark Knight) and a war one (The Dark Knight Rises), Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and directors Anthony and Joe Russo used Cap to craft a “Tom Clancyesque” political thriller.

Until now, except for the first Iron Man, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been more kid friendly than the Nolan films (including “Man of Steel”), specially with the God of Thunder and “The Avengers.” Obviously, toys and all kind of merchandise will be pushed towards children. But this sequel is primarily engineered for adults, in regards to both its content and shape. For example, the film doesn’t just have the most intense and realistic action and fighting sequences in a super hero film, but it surpasses all recent blockbusters. And don’t know how their frenetic style will play out in 3D though.

In an Industry where most commercial projects have foreigners with strong accents as the villains (or non-human forces playing the same role) it is refreshing to see Americans (Caucasians and from all other ethnic backgrounds) as the main antagonists. Yes, the ideology that fuels their twisted agenda is imported, but it is a clearly represents the current extremism that has infecting the political system and other circles of power.

Instead of investing in a safer escapist flick, Marvel Studios(owned by a conglomerate like Disney) chooses to confront audiences with very timely fears: The lose of personal liberties in the name of national security, the intelligence community’s lack of accountability and a growing amount of power concentrated in the hands of a few. Does the film deal with these concepts in a subtle way? Not at all. But since “V for Vendetta” we haven’t had a comic book/graphic novel adaptation questioning the legitimacy of the establishment in such a bold way.

We have seen many kickass heroines in the past tow decades. But most of the time what appears female empowering it is actually disguised objectification. Here Natasha Romanoff, AKA Black Widow, continues to be a sexy assassin. But in an adventure where she spends more time with Steve Roger the script treats her like the hero’s right hand, equal to the male protagonist and never a damsel in distress. I can’t remember the last time that a big budget adventure have no romance whatsoever. All the main characters are single and no time is wasted on -usually annoying- significant ones.

Despite the glowing reviews, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” isn’t perfect. Some lines of dialogue are forced and cliche, a couple of exposition scenes try to do too many things at once, and the fact that Rogers has nowhere to go after been publicly celebrated for saving the world in “The Avengers” it is a bit hard to believe. The whole “good guy vs. brainwashed friend” thing has been done many, many times.

But this new installment is without a doubt one of the best super hero films ever made: The spectacle and the story feels grounded, the humor smart and organic, and all the players all relatable thanks to the amazingly talented cast. Will young kids enjoy this as much as “Thor: The Dark World”. Definitely not, and that is a good thing. Marvel understand that its future depends on offering diverse experiences. If your children complain, just remind them that “Guardians of the Galaxy” is around the corner.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is in theaters, 3D and IMAX on April 4.