When it comes to movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is often regarded as one of the best. It’s many people’s favorite entry in the long-running franchise. Created by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon during World War II, the Nazi punching and justice-seeking superhero was seen as an embodiment of the perfect American soldier.
The Vibranium shield commonly resting on Captain America’s back became a symbol of national patriotism. Naturally, when the Marvel Cinematic Universe first started to take shape, Captain America was bound to make the jump from the comics to the movie world.
Updated April 5, 2023: In honor of the film’s ninth anniversary, this article has been updated with additional details on what Captain America: The Winter Soldier such a great movie.
Captain America: The First Avenger was a hit, but it wasn’t till The winter Soldier that the Iron Man character rivaled as one of the MCU’s most popular heroes. Captain America: The Winter Soldier, in particular, was a unique movie experience for MCU fans during its initial release that has only grown in estimation over the years. Steve Rogers became symbolic of what it really meant to be a good person, becoming the heart and soul of the MCU. Here’s why Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the best MCU movie of all time.
It was a tonal departure from previous MCU films
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Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a huge departure in tone. It was clear that updating the movie from the pulp action-adventure serial stories from the first movie to the modern day, but The winter Soldier was also separate from the rest of the MCU. The year before, Marvel Studios came out iron man 3 And Thor: The Dark Worldthose thanks The Avengers. Captain America: The Winter Soldier instead went for a paired approach.
The Captain America sequel not only identified as a superhero movie, but challenged itself to enter the new generic territory: the film intertwined elements of psychological and political thrillers such as All the president’s men And Three days of the Condor. This allowed for darker elements to be depicted in the MCU, paying close attention to writer Ed Brubaker’s then-recent comics.
These elements combined make for a more intimate look at the humanity in the superhero. As much as The winter Soldier featuring expertly choreographed fight scenes and larger-than-life action sequences, the film enjoyed the quieter, more human moments between the characters.
The shift in tone was much needed to give Captain America: The Winter Soldier the punch that left a lasting impression. The moviemaking formula in the MCU struggled to get out of the box it initially forced itself into, making the films feel too familiar to each other. This is still a criticism that the franchise has to deal with to this day. Captain America: The Winter Soldierhowever, allowed himself to take himself seriously and mostly serve his character arcs.
His critique of political power structures is relevant (then and today)
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Comics have largely served as a political vehicle since their conception. Indeed, Captain America’s political background, both as a cartoon character and a movie franchise, was fundamental to the story. After all, the character was first introduced as a form of anti-Nazi (and pro-America) propaganda in World War II from Timely Comics. Not only Captain America: The Winter Soldier keeps a sharp eye on these themes, but also criticizes them.
For a modern audience, the thematic resonance hints at the consequences of government officials going too far in the lives of citizens and reveals the sometimes dark truth behind the intentions of elected government figures. The hoarding of SHIELD’s most powerful weapons and the incursion of spy organizations from Hydra are akin to the most gripping political thrillers, which in turn raise concerns about dealing with national security, whatever your allegiance may be.
The Insight Helicarriers watching over the world from SHIELD’s point of view is a direct nod to the constant surveillance imposed on nations, effectively questioning the sacrifice of privacy for the sake of protection. The reflection of national security fears and distrust in government leaders is reflected everywhere Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Despite the comics’ pro-nationalist origins, the film was not afraid to question the validity and morality of the political power structures that seek to rule and supposedly protect its citizens. It’s a concept that still rings true today.
There’s an argument to be made that the film’s revelation that HYDRA is the real threat is an escape. Captain America fighting SHIELD and would have corrupted the organization without HYDRA would fit the more mature tone the movie is going for, leaving Captain America with an ethical dilemma as he questions his country. The HYDRA reveal shows that SHIELD is good, but HYDRA screwed up. Captain America is still battling the same threat all these years later.
Two years after the release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier there was an increase in nationalism and hate speech that swept across the globe. Fascist regimes and tactics that many thought were a thing of the past began to come to the fore again. Unfortunately what was once one of the more bizarre elements of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, like the return of the Nazis, is now more relevant.
Steve entered into long-term relationships built on love and loyalty (no superhero duty)
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Captain America: The Winter Soldier was essentially about Steve re-evaluating what he wants for himself in the modern world. Along the way, the film tested its limits in more than just a physical sense; his morals, values and ethics were questioned. In the end, love and loyalty – more than nationalistic duty – dictated his choices all along Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Indeed, the film took its time to prioritize character relationships. Steve’s love and loyalty for Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) made it paramount that he spares him despite being the Winter Soldier. Steve decides to give up fighting Bucky because “he’s with him to the end of the line.” After losing time with Peggy (Hayley Atwell), Steve couldn’t bear to lose someone he loved. Steve was able to see through the decades of destruction of Barnes’ psyche, his surrender during the final battle between the two being an act of selflessness. Steve Rogers’ belief in Bucky breaks through the Winter Soldier programming. Bucky not only saves Steve, but goes off on his own to find out who he is.
Rogers’s distrust of Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and his moral convictions in the face of Nick Fury’s (Samuel L. Jackson) pragmatism are unfettered by his loyalty to them. Instead, these personal challenges build on whether trust and loyalty are important to consider in heroism.
He knows he is a man running out of time, determined to balance his relationships with those around him with his professional commitments. The strain on Rogers’ moral fiber because he knew he couldn’t trust Romanoff wasn’t listening to him save her from the missile attack.
Even newcomer Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) earned Rogers’ trust after the pair grew close during their time in the armed forces, giving way to a commentary on how veterans are viewed by Western media. From there, Wilson sided with Rogers through conflict after conflict, earning his trust and loyalty by the end Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Perhaps the most important film behind the scenes
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Captain America: The Winter Soldier was the ninth MCU film to be released, and next to it Iron Man And The Avengers arguably one of the most important in studio history. This movie laid the groundwork for many important elements in the future MCU. Joe and Anthony Russo were certainly odd choices at the time due to their work on comedy series like Community And Arrested development. Yet their work continues Captain America: The Winter Soldier impressed Marvel Studios and fans so much that they became one of the main architects of the MCU directing Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinite WarAnd Avengers: endgame.
The film also laid the groundwork for many elements in the MCU. SHIELD’s dismantling became a major plot point on ABC’s Agents of SHIELD, and the series has improved dramatically. The film introduced Sam Wilson, aka The Falcon, who has now taken up the mantle of Captain America and will lead Captain America: New World Order.
While Bucky Barnes was introduced Captain America: The First Avenger, The winter Soldier really defined the character and has been given one of the best arcs in the MCU and even got paired with Sam Wilson in The falcon and the winter soldier. He is now ready to join Lightning strikes. The movie also introduced Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp), who was revealed as The Power Broker in The falcon and the winter soldier and seems to be a major villain for future projects.
Numerous elements introduced in Captain America: The Winter Soldier have paid off in the MCU. The SHIELD agent who took on Crossbones later returned for a fun cameo Avengers: Age of Ultron. The ominous backstory behind Nick Fury’s missing eye was rewarded with a subversive gag thrown in Captain Marvel. Even the song “It’s Been A Long Time” that ended avengers: endgame, was first established in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is so great it still influences the MCU.