“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is one of many Captain America movies. It stands out among all of the films as the one with the most heart as well as the greatest focus on interesting characters and their relationships. In this film, more so than any other, we are able to dive into the very interesting relationship between Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America, and Bucky Barnes, AKA The Winter Soldier.
The exploration of Barnes is probably the most interesting aspect of this film, which is saying a lot. His character is one that intrigues many, including myself, not only because he’s so handsome and truly rocks the smokey eye look, but also because he’s a character that has struggled immensely. His relationship with Rogers is one of the best in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. The care Rogers shows him throughout this film is what made me like Captain America, despite my initial hatred of him. (Unwarranted, I know. Nothing against you Chris Evans. You amaze me.) Rogers stands up for his friend, refusing to hurt him and refusing to allow him to be hurt.
A movie that focuses so heavily on friendship in the MCU stands out, seeing as the Avengers movies frequently involve fighting one another. Barnes and Rogers bring out the most interesting aspects in one another. Before this film, Captain America was a pretty boring character, with limited weaknesses and flaws. In this movie, we’re able to look beyond the surface and see a man who will do anything for his best friend, making him loyal to a fault in some situations. There were complex themes explored in this film that we hadn’t seen before, mainly him having to ultimately fight his best friend, while also attempting to get Barnes to recognize and remember him. Seeing his best friend, the one person he could relate to, and the one person still alive from the life he knew before being brainwashed and unable to recognize him back, is a very interesting plot that explores both characters in an intriguing way.
This film is also praised for its political commentary and taking a strong stance on important issues. Following the theme of a post-World War II world, in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” Nazi ideas are still present and impacting government decisions. This is an important concept to explore in a manner typical to comics and comic-adaptations. While I ultimately find the X-Men films to do a better job at exploring such issues, “Winter Soldier” is the best at doing so in the MCU.
There was also an interesting theme of accepting and being honest about your past, mainly through Black Widow, who, upon revealing the secrets of Hydra, must also reveal her own secrets and difficult past. This is an interesting theme if we apply it further to the American government, seeing as there was also a reference in the film to “Project Paperclip” in which Nazis were brought into America after the war by the American government. Perhaps this underlying message is advocating for a level of honesty and accountability from the government in its past mistakes, so long as it learns from them and acts accordingly, rather than pretending certain things didn’t happen.
A message encouraging people to stop blindly following the government in the name of patriotism and to support what’s in the best interest of your country is highly relevant, then, now and in the future.
Compared to “Winter Soldier,” the other Captain America movies aren’t as strong, except for “Captain America: Civil War,” which I will admit makes Barnes more interesting while continuing his story and his relationship with Cap. But of course, we couldn’t have “Civil War” without “Winter Soldier” and all the ideas and characters it introduced so strongly. “Winter Soldier” set up future projects involving Barnes and Rogers as one where Rogers will continue to side with his best friend Barnes, refusing to give up on him.
“Captain America: Winter Soldier” is what changed my opinions on Cap as a boring goody-two-shoes and solidified his character as one who truly follows what he believes in and isn’t tied to whatever government is trying to use him. It’s a very solid introduction to another crucial character in the franchise without giving him his own film (yet), which the MCU has and continues to struggle with doing successfully. The exploration of the characters and their relationships is what ultimately made this movie stand out.