Exciting action thriller superheroics continue to expand the on-screen Marvel universe

Rating: 8/10 (27 March 2014)

Steve "Captain America" Rogers has found his place in the present day carrying out missions for SHIELD. But then it appears that SHIELD's security has been compromised, and he finds himself on the run.
This is not so much a sequel to Cap's 2011 initial appearance in the Marvel cinematic universe as a follow up, in which he is merely the central character in a wider story concerning the changing circumstances of the organisation SHIELD. As such, I preferred it to the origin movie, because I am getting great enjoyment from the way Marvel Studios is rolling out Phase 2 of developing its properties. Like all fanboys, I loved the teasers peppered throughout the end credits of the Phase 1 films, and was overjoyed when everything came together in The Avengers. Well, Cap 2 is not simply about Steve Rogers.
The story is solid, the performances are all fun, there are many returning faces, the effects are great, and Chris Evans again does a good job of nailing Steve Rogers' heroism and integrity. Nick Fury and the Black Widow both get a lot to do this time round, too. Plus this movie sets up a LOT of threads to be picked up in subsequent movies.
Do I have a criticism? Perhaps some of the combat sequences could have been communicated a little better, but that's a minor quibble.
The 3D is non-essential (very effective in the aerial sequences, though). There are mid- and end-credits teasers.