A Vast Improvement Over The First Avenger

Rating: Null/10 (30 March 2015)

A direct sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger, the ninth instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe & the third in their phase 2 plan, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a vast improvement over its period-piece predecessor that finally brings its super-soldier into the 21st world environment & while there are few things worth complain about, most of its footing is spot-on.
Set two years after the events of The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier continues the story of Steve Rogers; a super-soldier who's still trying to adjust in the modern world. The plot concerns the conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. which Rogers tries to uncover with the help of Black Widow only for Rogers to discover that his past hasn't been eliminated yet.
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo, the film is thoroughly balanced when it comes to action & drama although the humour does take a hit in the film's intent to go a bit darker but not by much. The screenplay is brilliant too for the story keeps the core of its predecessor alive in its new form. Camera-work is dynamic, pacing is fabulous & Henry Jackman packs in with a score that feels much evolved.
Coming to the performances, the cast comprises of Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Stan & others with Robert Redford & Anthony Mackie as new additions. Evans is a natural in the role of Rogers & the suit is as fitting as before but it's his chemistry with Johansson that feels most refreshing this time. Rest of the cast chips in with fine contributions however I wish writers had put some more meat on the main antagonist here.
On an overall scale, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is one of Marvel's better offerings which never loses the thread that connects it to the original, keeps the action flowing at regular intervals, is sprinkled with political themes that are nicely dealt with, features a quite formidable villain, has a surprising depth in both story & character elements, delivers the entertainment that's bigger & better than last time and while its large-scale spectacle remain ridiculously fun, it's how the whole film is narrated that makes it satisfying on many levels.