Does everything that a sequel should do.

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2015)

After watching Captain America: The First Avenger, I wasn't sure where Marvel would take the character after that, well, sure enough, I sat down to watch Captain America: The Winter Solider and it didn't let me down one bit. Everything in this movie from the action to the characters to the story is so much better than the first one and rarely does that happen in a sequel.
After the event of the Avengers, Steve Rogers has been living in Washington D.C., working for S.H.I.E.L.D. While on a counter-terrorism strike mission, Rogers sees Natasha Romanoff obtaining information from the ship's computers for director Nick Fury. Steve meets with Fury and is told about S.H.I.E.L.D's new project: three Helicarriers that are networked to satellites and are designed to destroy any threat to S.H.I.E.L.D. Turns out all is not what it seems at S.H.I.E.L.D and it's up to Captain America and Black Widow to fix things. Along the way, Rogers must face an old friend turned foe from the past.
While Joe Johnson did a fantastic job directing the first Captain America, Anthony and Joe Russo do a much better job on this movie and while the movie might not be the complex movie ever made, it expends on the characters and gives them more depth especially with Steve Rogers where in the first one and in the Avengers, he is a John Wayne-type American telling people how things are done, while here he's in a ethical gray area and how he deals with it is the heart of the story. Working this development into a honorably complex movie means that Rogers never inquires what he believes nor does he challenge his basis, but he does challenge where he is and what his role must be. While the movie might out be the most innovative movie ever made, it certainly ups the ante with a darker tone which hearkens back to many 70s political thrillers and it's a very welcoming change that makes this movie stand apart from other superhero movies. There are several powerful scenes concerning paranoia, government control and information handling, echoing how our world has changed following 9/11 and yet it never feels overstuffed or intimidating.
The action is incredible and is a step up from some of the other MCU films, from Cap's shield being used in all its splendor to the cinematography which is diverse and quick without having to resort to quick cuts and shaky cam while the phenomenal elevator fight are just some of the exceptional action set pieces and the action scenes with the Winter Solider always feel exciting and chilling at the same time. Throughout the movie, the action keeps changing from stealth operations, to car pursuits, to gun battles to hand to hand fights. Having the characters use their gifts as well as guns is a smart move as opposed to having them use their bran in every scene. Easily some of the best action I've ever seen in a comic book movie. The visual effects are also impressive, the musical score by Henry Jackson is effective and serves it's purpose and the script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely is tightly written and has a little humor mixed in.
Once again, the cast in Captain America: The Winter Solider is stellar in every way. Chris Evans once again nails it as Captain America, playing him with the utmost sincerity while also maintaining his nationalistic ideals even when he is left questioning where he stands in world, while still being a bad-ass when it comes the fights. Scarlett Johansson further develops the charm and character of Black Widow and shows us that she is capable of kicking major ass in the movie, while bringing a superb and active balance to the upfront and narrow mindset of Rogers even showing a bit of love for him but they still rely on each other. Samuel Jackson returns as Nick Fury and carries the role wonderfully while showing a more accessible and human side to himself. Frank Grillo brings Brock Rumlow to life in a believable way. Cobie Smulders is wonderful as always as Maria Hill. Emily Vancamp completely rocks as Agent 13. Robert Redford is a powerhouse as Alexander Peirce, portraying the prefect kind of villain that has plenty of satire and apathy that make him more than a match for our heroes while never venturing too far from the film's political themes but also doesn't come across as over-the-top makes for an incredibly memorable villain. Anthony Mackie is a welcome addition as Sam Wilson/Falcon, playing him much like a war vet and it's great to see him be used as a supporting character or unwanted comic relief. Sebastian Stan is truly terrifying as The Winter Solider/Bucky Barnes and he does an amazing job maintaining his own against his victims and those who stand in his way and his presence in any scene will send chills running down your spine. The relationship between him and Steve is handled brilliantly, showing how much Rogers still cares for Bucky and yet, he must stop him in order to save the world recalling the relationship between Anakin Skywaker and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Revenge of The Sith.
I really don't have anything negative to say about this movie. It's engaging, fast-paced, has tons of action and great acting and has a nice mid-credits scene that sets up the next MCU movie. While Spider-Man 2 and X-men: Days of Future Past are now my favorite Marvel movies, Captain America: The Winter Solider is still one of my favorite Marvel comic book movies. Go watch Captain America: The Winter Solider if you haven't already. It's an awesome movie and should be viewed by anyone who is a comic book movie fan.