Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) is directed by Anthony Russo & Joe Russo and stars Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp, Maximiliano Hernandez, Toby Jones, Callan Mulvey, and Hayley Atwell. The film is the second Captain America franchise. It once again follows Steve Rodgers/Captain America – this time as he attempts to eliminate a Hydra conspiracy that has taken over S.H.I.E.L.D. from the inside. With the help of Nick Fury (Jackson), Black Widow (Johansson), and newcomer Sam Wilson/The Falcon (Mackie), Steve attempts to find those responsible before it’s too late. When this ushers the arrival of The Winter Soldier (Stan), a mysterious Russian assassin with connections to Steve’s past, the group is forced into a desperate game of cat & mouse in which they can’t trust anyone – even each other.

Compared to the previous Captain America film, this is an improvement in almost every conceivable way – the first of which being Chris Evans’ strong turn as Cap. Performance-wise, it’s not a noticeable improvement from the first film, but the script itself is a huge step up. The stronger material/dialogue allows Evans to go much deeper with the character, but it also takes Steve in directions that the first film didn’t have time to explore. It plays wonderfully into the fact that, in this film, Steve is a relic from an era gone by. The script is smart to show how this hurts Steve, but also how it gives him a fresh/pure perspective on how things should be/how they’ve changed for the worse. In fact, this is such a compelling aspect of Steve’s character that I wanted more of it. It’s not particularly lacking; it’s just so entertaining that I’d accept as much of it as they’d be willing to provide. 

As for the supporting cast, almost every returning actor takes a step up performance-wise (mostly due to the improved script). This is easily Jackson’s best turn as Nick Fury due to the fact that the script provides him with a badass action sequence that for the first time in the franchise shows the audience why he’s not to be messed with despite his lack of supernatural abilities. Scarlett Johansson’s performance is consistent with her previous portrayals of Black Widow (Which are strong), but what sets the character apart in this film is her “will they, won’t they?” flirtations with Steve. Whether they ever planned on making these two an item is unconfirmed, but it’s undeniable that Evans and Johansson have palpable sexual/romantic chemistry – something that would feel like a missed opportunity to not at least tease.

Speaking of chemistry (though not romantic), the addition of Anthony Mackie as Falcon provides Steve with an ally who is equal to him in every way except his powers. Besides being the true ally that Steve requires in a world he doesn’t fully understand, Sam works to remind Steve/the audience of what makes Cap the guy we know and love: His heart. On top of this, scenes in which Sam tries to keep up with Cap’s abilities provide a lot of natural and effective comedic relief – some of the best the MCU has to offer. 

As for the titular villain played by Sebastian Stan, he’s a surprisingly intimidating force (in the context of the MCU). The role doesn’t allow Stan to do much acting that isn’t entirely physical, but he nails what he’s asked to do. It’s a far cry from his lovable portrayal as Bucky and shows off his impeccable range. I’m really not surprised he earned his first Oscar nom this year for portraying Donald Trump in The Apprentice (2024). Peggy and Steve’s relationship was the heart of the previous film, but this sequel is about the friendship between Bucky and Steve. This allows the film to feel like a true sequel to the first installment as opposed to a catch-all continuation of the larger MCU story – something I wish they’d do more often.

The action is a large improvement from not only the first Captain America film but also every MCU film prior to it (and a majority of releases after). It’s hard-hitting, fast-paced, and varied, but also takes full creative advantage of Cap and Falcon’s unique powers. There are even subtle, meta references to action films such as Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) and Three Days of the Condor (1975) – the former featuring Samuel L. Jackson and the latter featuring Robert Redford. 

Overall, this is a fantastic sequel that improves on the first film in nearly every way and features only the bare minimum of typical MCU pitfalls. The cast is great, the action is exciting, and the story’s emotional core is effectively conceived. It lacks any true twists or surprises, but it’s kind of an afterthought when everything is this immersive. I don’t love the MCU, but I guess you could call me a “fan.” When they release movies like this, it’s tough not to be somewhat invested. B+