Captain America: The Winter Soldier

I was uncertain what to expect from the second instalment of the new Captain America franchise; I really enjoyed the 1940’s setting of the first film and I was concerned about this modern day sequel.  I feared that the franchise might have lost its edge, the distinguishing factor that differentiated it from all the other super hero films flooding the cinema, nevertheless the characterisation of Captain America (Chris Evans) is excellent and he still has his old fashioned ideals and morals, which set him apart from the rest of Marvel gang.

The pairing of the fierce and brazen Black Widow played by Scarlet Johansson with the good natured, honest Captain America made for great scenes of sexual tension and angst between the two stars.  Scarlet seduces the screen and viewers as usual.  Nevertheless I have issues with her hair style which really doesn't suit her face shape; also her hair is actually revealed as wavy when it gets wet so it begs the questions, when does she have time to straighten those locks and why is it such a priority when the world as they know it might be ending?

I enjoyed the fact that even in the comic book world of super advanced computer systems technology still fails and when Fury aka Samuel L. Jackson tries to escape in his big black Chevrolet he comes across a series of malfunctions. However you do question why he resolves to use defensive strategies rather than just immediately fighting his way out of the situation and escaping.

I find it a little odd, or maybe distracting, that this Marvel film that features SHIELD so heavily as the main subject only involves two of the Avengers…where was Iron Man or The Hulk during this little crisis?  A few niggling flaws in the concept, but otherwise a brilliant film as can be expected from these Marvel ventures that have intricate plot lines, and generally good scripts.

Rating: 8/10