Captain America: The Winter Soldier (9/9/2014)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, gunplay and action throughout.

Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Robert Redford and Samuel L. Jackson

Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo

These Marvel Studio films just keep getting better!

After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

The first thing you need to know as you read this review is that I love these superhero movies. Ironman, The Avengers, The Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spiderman, the Batman trilogy, Man of Steal and on and on. And this film continues to amaze and entertain us. Simply put, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is exceptional in every way.

Steve Rogers is still dealing with understanding this new modern world and Chris Evans plays him perfectly. He stands somewhere between the way things are and the way they should be. And then there is Falcon. He’s the perfect balance between the comic relief and the brave solider and Anthony Mackie was the perfect choice to play him. Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson both reprise their roles and continue to impress. SPOILER ALRET: Sebastian Stan is back as a very different Bucky and Robert Redford plays a pretty decent villain.

Besides a great cast, this film has a very strong story. It is filled with tragedy, humor, conflict and drama. It also has a great script that the cast brings to life and delivers flawlessly.

As you would imagine, the special effects are off the chart. From the helipads to Captain’s shield, the effects are perfect. In the final battle scene where Captain America and Falcon battle an entire army, I was literally holding my breath and trying not to blink.

As I said, this film has a great cast, a great director, an amazing story and out-of-this-world special effects, but the thing I appreciated most about Captain America: The Winter Solider is Captain America himself. He is one of the only superheroes who is truly heroic. He doesn’t have a dark past or questionable motives; in fact he has a strong and honest goodness about him and he doesn’t question what he believes – even when everyone else does. He is not self-righteous or arrogant and he makes everyone of us want to root for him. He believes in what he’s doing and the viewer is along for a great ride sharing that belief.

So, this may be Marvel’s grittiest movie but it’s definitely one of best sequels to date. It is “Worth Buying” or sure!

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity in this film and just a handful of profanities. However this film is more violent than The First Avenger or The Avengers. This movie is near-constant action. And most of that action is hand-to-hand combat and gun fights. Because the violence/action is not gory or bloody, I would say that this one is fine for teenagers.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. What are some of the characteristics Captain America exemplifies?


2. How does he exemplify them?


3. Read 1 Timothy 4:12
   
   Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
   
   
4. What are some of the characteristics Jesus wants us to exemplify?


5. What are some ways you can do that?


6. How can you be an example at home? At school? At your church/youth group?