Craggus’ Countdown To Infinity: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2013)

During an anti-terrorist SHIELD mission, Captain America becomes suspicious of the activities of his colleagues and learns that SHIELD is planning an ambitious Project Insight. When Nick Fury is assassinated by The Winter Soldier, Cap quickly finds himself on the run from the authorities and under threat from the very same assassin, a man with a secret connection to Captain America himself.

The first Marvel film to break the franchise’s ‘difficult second movie’ jinx, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is a superb updating of the character, bringing him into the modern world with a tale rooted in 1970s conspiracy thrillers.

The most remarkable thing is how much more relevant the movie is now, compared to five years ago. The idea that a sophisticated algorithm could be used to gather and analyse data on individuals and predict their behaviours and future choices turns out to have been chillingly prescient, as does the idea that respected Government institutions could be comprehensively infiltrated and subsumed from within by a hostile force.

Original Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Review

No time for Stones, Dr Jones. This film is about realpolitik, with a superhero spin.

Sam Wilson/ The Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Brock Rumlow/ Crossbones (Frank Grillo), Sharon Carter/ Agent 13 (Emily Van Camp)

Stan Lee is the security guard on duty at the Smithsonian when Captain America’s uniform ‘goes missing’. Ed Brubaker, creator of The Winter Soldier, cameos as one of the scientists handling Bucky Barnes.

Mid-credits, Wolfgang von Strucker is in a HYDRA facility where Loki’s Scepter is being studied, observing two holding cells containing Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch.

Post-credits, The Winter Soldier visits the Smithsonian’s Captain America exhibit and stands in front of the Buck Barnes memorial.

Captain America never holds or uses a gun throughout the entire movie.

 9/10 

1. Avengers Assemble
3. Iron Man
4. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
7. Captain America: The First Avenger
12. Iron Man 2
13. Iron Man 3
16. Thor: The Dark World
17. Thor
18. The Incredible Hulk