Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Movie Review

Thawed from his icy WWII airplane tomb, Capt. Steve Rogers finds himself struggling with a modern world in this post-The Avengers movie. Captain America: The Winter Soldier catches up with the Star-Spangled man as he's beginning to question the motives of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division).

Chris Evans dons the red, white and blue suit as "Cap" in this franchise sequel that comes to theaters this Friday. Rated PG-13 for intense action sequences, Captain America: The Winter Soldier doesn't downplay hand-to-hand combat and gunplay. Parents of young children, caution is advised.

THE MOVIE IN A MINUTE

Still adjusting to modern technology and thinking, Steve Rogers wrestles with his purpose at S.H.I.E.L.D. Rogers soon becomes unsure of who the real enemy truly is as he struggles to hold onto the freedom he and his friends fought for during World War II. Teaming up with Natasha Romanoff (a.k.a. Black Widow), Captain America begins to uncover the truth as he pursues a new threat, a powerful foe known only as "The Winter Soldier".

THE GOOD AND BAD IN CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

Rightly so, Captain America: The First Avenger, this sequel's predecessor, was very retro and patriotic in nature, having taken place during the 1940s. Cap's new movie propels the old soldier into new warfare. As threats, foreign and domestic emerge, he grapples with the question: What cost are we willing to pay for the sake of "security"? He poses that fear is the unfortunate motivator not "security" as those around him would argue. This timely and well executed part of the plot gives this popcorn action some feet and dramatic flair. Always the moral compass in the Marvel cinematic universe, Captain America questions his allegiance and the virtue of those in authority. His centered focus on what is right and true doesn't lead him astray.

Evans, who continues to show his talent as the shield wielding superhero, is accompanied by a great cast. Oscar-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson return as S.H.I.E.L.D. Col. Nick Fury and Agent Romanoff, respectively. Joining them on screen are Oscar winner Robert Redford, Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, who fill their roles especially well.

This sequel is action-packed, humorous and well paced. Where The Winter Soldier does falter is in its predictability. Its PG-13 rating is for intense sequences of violence, gunplay (and we're talking a lot of it) and action throughout. The movie also has a bit of foul language and some hand-to-hand, knife combat. Though it's not that bloody of a movie, characters, both great and small, are killed.

IN THE END

For the action/adventure, superhero movie that it's meant to be, Captain America: The Winter Soldier doesn't disappoint. Still, it is rated PG-13 mainly for action violence.