The Film
"Last time I trusted someone, I lost an eye."
Chris Evans is back to fill the boots of Steve Rogers, aka Captain America. Sure, we just saw him in 2012's The Avengers, but he's back in the spotlight -- which is sorely needed, given everything that he's been through since 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier takes our buff superhero out of the 1940s and puts him into modern-day Washington, D.C. After being frozen for about 70 years, he has a lot to catch up on and very little time to do it in. Despite the lack of polio and the convenience of the Internet, Rogers is having a tough time adjusting to his new life. His love (Hayley Atwell) is now in her 90s, he can't seem to get a date (!), and he no longer has any Nazis to tangle with.
It's not all bad, though. He works for S.H.I.E.L.D., has Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) fighting by his side as the Black Widow, and has found a new friend in Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), who you may know as the Falcon.
If you think Rogers has problems, S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury (a great Samuel L. Jackson) senses a mole in the organization. Those suspicions earn him a big 'ole target on his back. The mystery assassin is The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), but he's not the only baddie filling up the film's 136-minute runtime. Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford) is leading Project Insight, which aims to wipe out all of the world's potential threats -- even before they're actual threats.
It's confusing in some spots, but completely kick-ass everywhere else. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is even better than its original. Sure, the modern-day twist is nice for those who don't want a history lesson, but it also gives way to better technology, more powerful hardware, and tons of killer action scenes overall.
Want to see something really super? Check out Joe Lozito's theatrical review of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
The Picture
Disney is releasing a 3D version of this Blu-ray, but only the 2D was provided for review -- and it's fabulous, as you can imagine. Disney rarely disappoints and they aren't going to start with the release of a superhero blockbuster. The detail on this 2.39:1 image is quite awesome; Steve Rogers' muscles ripple and every curve of Black Widow is outlined very well. The colors are also very impressive, which includes Black Widow's auburn locks. While I probably would have liked a brighter palette overall, it's certainly true to the theatrical release. Speaking of which, the black levels deserve a shout-out, especially in some of the movie's darker outfits and scenes.
The Sound
Car chases, explosions, bullets ricocheting and piercing targets, Captain America's motorcycle, the shield, and more; Disney's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack is tons of fun from beginning to end. Things are going to get loud in some spots, but that's exactly the type of track this film deserves. Even better, this mix has great directionality, which will have you looking around the room and possibly over your shoulder. Even with all of the action, the dialogue is always crystal clear. It's exactly the type of track befitting a blockbuster superhero franchise.
The Extras
Considering how slim the package is, the list of supplements shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. The best of the bunch is the commentary track, which has directors Anthony and Joe Russo sitting down with screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Otherwise, there's a quickie Gag Reel, 4 minutes of deleted and extended scenes, 2 minutes with Anthony Mackie, and another 3 minutes on "Steve Rogers' Notebook." The lengthiest featurette of the lot is "On the Front Line," which devotes a whole 10 minutes to the production.
Final Thoughts
Lately, it seems like a lot of movies are clocking in past the 2-hour mark. Most people would consider this to be more bang for the buck, but for the most part, it's just prolonging the pain. However, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is entertaining from beginning to end. It's paced well, has a great tone and great characters, and there's a ton of ass-kicking. It doesn't hurt that it's a beautiful Blu-ray, with awesome visuals and relentless audio. The extras are really the only thing keeping this release from being a 4-star package. Just don't let that deter you; Captain America is a day-one purchase.
Product Details
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