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MCU Rewind: The Winter Soldier Introduces A Different Captain America And Tackles A Real-World Issue For The First Time
When the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are ranked from best to worst, Captain America: The Winter Soldier always ranks very highly. The first Marvel Studios directorial outing of Joe and Anthony Russo, they genre-hopped from old-timey-war-movie homage to spy thriller. However, more so than that, the filmmakers crafted a story that adequately deals with a serious, real-world issue: creeping authoritarianism. Comic book stories have long been places where metaphorical parables unfold about real moral and political issues. However, sometimes, when these films take these issues head-on the allegory falls flat. In this movie, Captain America’s dedication to the liberty he fought for in World War II is tested when S.H.I.E.L.D., who he now serves, threatens that freedom. This is also the first Phase 2 film to take full advantage of the larger MCU. Using elements of a beloved series from the Cap comics, the Russos, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeely crafted a wholly original story that is one of the best in the whole canon.
