100 Days of Marvel: Road to Infinity War - Day 19: Captain America: Winter Soldier

Before we get started with this post, does anyone want to get out?

Captain America: Winter Soldier is what many fans of the MCU would call TOP TIER. When I first saw this movie, I thought that it was overrated and I did not think it was nearly as good as all of my friends did. But man, was I wrong. See, I was viewing this film as someone who doesn't really like Captain America. I saw him as a goody two-shoesy, red white and brown-nosing hero who was just kind of boring. Without the charisma of Tony Stark, the POWER or intellect of Banner, and, let us not kid ourselves, he is a Chris, but certainly not Hemsworth, I just thought he was a bland character. But this film, after many 'a viewing, allowed me to finally see 'Merica as a tragic hero with his own flaws, and when I view this movie outside of the 'superhero' mindset, it works much better as a story.

Every single character in this film has something to do, and that is something that I seriously LOVE about it. Nick Fury discovers that S.H.I.E.L.D. has been infiltrated and then works with Natasha Romanoff to help defeat one of the known Hydra leaders. Emily VanCamp's Kate / Agent 13 helps protect Captain America, and then helps stall the Hydra spy from launching the missile attack. Captain America discovers the wartime scientists brain technology which allows him and Romanoff to move toward stopping Hyrdra. Sitwell, who does more here than he does in any other film he has appeared in prior to this point in the timeline, has a lot to do here as well, namely be a punk Hyrdra serpent who betrays all of those close to him.

Hydra, as a "villain" here is pretty lame. Their reveal is spectacular, and the film handled them well, it is just that it is hard to put a face  to the organization when it has been apart of S.H.I.E.L.D. for so long. In a way, this is really effective, especially when considering the implications this has on Agents of SH.I.E.L.D.  and the conversation those characters bring up about secrets, lies, and half truths. It really makes you consider if the compartmentalization of information is beneficial or harmful to the organization. You know how in scary movies where you never see the monster, or at least don't see it until the very end of the movie? When you finally DO see the monster, it is like letting the air out of the balloon. We never care about the monster, but the journey to the face reveal was more exciting than the face reveal of your favorite YouTuber (dated reference I know, now everyone just shows their face all the time). This is what Hydra is. It is the monster that has been there the entire time, and in this film we get a face reveal. However, we don't care about the monster / Hydra in the same way. That is not to say this isn't effective, it is just not top tier villain because at no point can the viewer take Hydra's side. They are just antagonists with no redeeming qualities (in this film, at least).

But back to my original point, there is no face of Hydra. This makes it hard to identify with, and so we can't have very much sympathy for the devils. They are evil simply because their ideals, values, and morals contradict our own, and the things we care about are at stake when faced with a Hydra victory, so we root for the heroes and there really is no chance to care about the villains. The films, across time, had many chances to do this had the given us someone to latch onto properly - Sitwell, for example, could have a perfect if the MCU made us feel for him. Maybe he has a family that he cares about? Maybe he has one of those Centipede eye things that makes him have to do what Hydra says or else they will murder him by popping that little thing behind his eye.

In regards to some of the minor characters, or characters who debut in this film:

Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is not my favorite character. His bromance with Captain America, for me, fills the Woman as Temptress role for Rogers. This is more so a point I should make in a later film, but 'Merica does some pretty lame things for Bucky, actions that I personally disagree with, and 'Merica's personal responsibility to his friend Bucky gets in the way of him accomplishing many higher priority tasks. This may be my logical side muting my compassion, but it is like Captain America always gets Batmanned. That is, his personal desire is hanging from one rope over a pit of Lava (Bucky) and there is a rope holding up a bus filled with children (MANY other things, for example, focusing on more important areas in the fight against Hydra, or even abandoning the squad close to you to chase ghosts (in the next film). But I won't be totally heartless here, and I can't say that if I was put in the same predicament I wouldn't do the same thing, but it simply feels out of place to me, ESPECIALLY when so much of the early portion of the movie is about letting go of the past.

This movie also gives Agent Hill some shine. She has a deleted scene with Sitwell that I recommend that you check out because the acting is pretty great. Her reveal scene is pretty good, and when I first saw the movie I knew at that moment that Nick Fury was alive.

We get another Black character, and as a Black man myself this makes me really happy. He doesn't have MUCH to do in this one, but when he does things they matter. Sam / Falcon (Anthony Mackie) is the MVP of the film if only because of his clutch assists and ball passes.  He has some really good dialogue here, and does a good enough job acting the character. I will say this, though - Black Panther comes out this week and it is a movie that is SERIOUSLY needed. African American characters in these films, so far, have been relegated to either a side kick role, or a role that is seemingly serious but is ultimately trashed. Examples, War Machine is no more than a government tool who just so happens to by Tony Stark's friend. Falcon is a random guy who, for some reasons, becomes overly loyal to 'Merica because they ran together and then the film referenced Rocky and Rogers' book of things to catch up on (Also notice the racial parallels between Roger's and Falcon to Rocky and Apollo). Last but not least when it comes to "key" Black players, we have Nick Fury. Fury gets the Avengers together and is the main reason the Squad has as a stacked deck. But in this film, he just gets beat up and spends of the most of the movie in hiding. Then it ends with one of the last few times that we have seen him in the series, and he goes back into "hiding." He probably won't even make a CAMEO in Black Panther OR Infinity War.

I did spend most of this post talking about many of the negatives for this film, but to close I want to talk about some of the positives.

Acting is incredible here. I believe every role, which is important in how they set up the shock and believability with the Hydra reveal. I am happy that this entire series rewatch has made me more aware of smaller characters that I would have otherwise never remembered.

The elevator scene is FANTASTIC. It was hard not be excited when he says those words and you know shit is about to pop off. S.H.I.E.L.D. / Hydra said they were ready to pull up, and 'Merica was like, "Na, my dude. It aint' gone go how you think up in this bitch." Then 'Merica started kicking and punching, and I ain't have no shoes or nothing. I said Oh lord Jeesus it's a fire, and I ran up outta there. AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT. But back to seriousness, this scene is HYPE.

And the scene between Aged Agent Carter and Rogers is heartbreaking. I LOVE unrequited love, but there is something about love that can never be that is just wrenching like a punch to the gut. When Rogers tells Carter she is his best girl, I wanted to shed that one tear like Denzel from Glory. I held it together though, just so you know. Nevermind that I need to buy a new box of tissues.

But tomorrow, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is about to totally Romanoff today's post and hit it up with the, "I'm sorry, did I step on your moment?" I can't wait to see these next few episodes.