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Blu-Ray : Highly Recommended
Ranking:
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Release Date: September 9th, 2014 Movie Release Year: 2014

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Overview -

After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off assailants sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

OVERALL:
Highly Recommended
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Technical Specs:
TBA
Video Resolution/Codec:
1080p/TBA
Aspect Ratio(s):
2.40:1
Audio Formats:
Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles/Captions:
English, French, Spanish
Special Features:
And More!
Release Date:
September 9th, 2014

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

Marvel is having a hell of a year. First,  the thrilling 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' and then the supremely fun 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. Heck, I don't know how exactly they're doing it, but I'll tell you this, they're taking some smart risks. Switching up genres. Testing out different ways to tell superhero stories. Trying to redefine what it means to be a superhero and to live in a modern world where fanatical things -- both good and bad -- have started happening more and more. 

My personal theory is, by unifying their Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios has essentially created the world's most expensive television series, which continues to invest us in the characters as they change and grow and evolve. I'd also argue Marvel's Cinematic Universe Phase Two is a more daring series of films than Phase One. But maybe I just love films that are more in line with darker, troublesome "second acts".

'Winter Soldier' is similar to 'Iron Man Three' in that it takes our confident hero, and tears away everything comforting, changing everything he knows about the world. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) remains a man out of time. An outsider in a world that's moved on, where his only close friends are an assassin, a secretive boss, and a bed ridden woman with dementia (who used to be the love of his life). Cap is a man looking for something to believe in because, while he's still a guy who follows orders and does what's best for the mission, he's also starting to question Nick Fury's (and by extension S.H.I.E.L.D, the intelligence agency for which they both work) need for keeping secrets all the time.

When Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) does reveal one of his secrets -- S.H.I.E.L.D. has built three more Helicarriers to act as a remote, intelligent worldwide defense network against threats domestic, international, or alien -- Cap doesn't agree with this plan. "This isn't freedom. It's fear."

Around this time Fury begins to suspect something's wrong inside S.H.I.E.L.D. His passwords are failing. Files unable to decrypt. Someone is working against him, and he needs to bring in help, but before he can, Fury's ambushed on the streets of Washington DC in a fantastically tense car chase. He barely escapes to Cap's apartment where moments before being shot by the mysterious Winter Soldier, Fury hands Cap a thumb drive (our clue to learning the truth) and telling him to trust no one.

When Cap refuses to tell Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford) -- an ex Secretary of Defense who made Nick Fury director of S.H.I.E.L.D. -- why Nick Fury went to Cap's apartment, everything changes. S.H.I.E.L.D. declares Cap a fugitive and starts hunting him. 

Cap must go on the run with Black Widow (Scarlet Johansen) to find the truth behind who has infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., the identity of the Winter Soldier, and what may happen if Cap can't shut these people down.

Cap and Fury

"A government agency trying to install a 24/7 nanny state with the use of heavily armed drones" doesn't sound like the stuff of typical popcorn blockbusters. But, thanks to some fortunate timing, 'Winter Soldier' was born into this world as our country, and the whole planet, struggles with issues of privacy and freedom and security. How willing are we to give up our freedom for a sense of safety? [insert TSA joke here.]

I love that 'Winter Solider' has been crafted in the style of a '70s conspiracy thriller (in the Audio Commentary, the filmmakers joke they could have called it 'Three Days of Captain America' in a nod to Robert Redford's classic 'Three Days of the Condor'). It works so well from a character standpoint. Over the last few years, I've had a few conversations about conspiracies in the Internet age. My theory was that you can't really do these 70s-style thrillers anymore because way too many people assume everything's always a conspiracy. IE, when the audience's expectation is that there is a conspiracy, it's not really a great surprise when there is one.

However, the filmmakers behind 'Winter Soldier' figured out a new take on the genre. Because Cap is such an earnest human being... Because he's trusting... Because he's working for the Good Guys using all the technology we've seen in the previous movies... Because of all of this, it's terrifying when Cap has to go on the run. When his only option is to fight the very agency for which he's been a soldier. A world where S.H.I.E.L.D. is the enemy, in this Marvel universe, is the emotional equivalent of your parents getting a divorce. It's unnerving, and dramatic.

'Winter Soldier' is also a great character piece. I loved how the first thirty minutes were a slow burn of small moments. Cap with a new friend, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). Cap with Peggy Carter. Cap with Natasha. Even Cap with Nick Fury. All of these people, save for Peggy, have journeys in the film, where the world they think they know is burned away, and they're forced to rise up and change.

The action sequences, inspired by masters of tension like DePalma and Friedkin, are extremely well articulated. Sometimes gritty. Never repetitious. Terrific geography and a sense of ramping tension.

At the end of the day, much like 'Iron Man Three', this second standalone 'Captain America' film is tons of fun, successfully uses a classic character in a new modern setting, reimagines what possible in superhero films (or, rather, extends beyond the traditional approach), and tears away any sense of safety and security the Marvel Cinematic Universe has established over the life of the franchise.

Everything has changed. It's time for the Avengers to assemble again. And I can't wait.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' debuts on Blu-ray as part of a one-disc Blu-ray + Digital HD Combo Pack. Inside, there are instructions to unlock your Digital HD copy as well as some Marvel Extras. There is no DVD. Trailers include  'Guardians of the Galaxy''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D Season 1', and an older ad for Marvel's Cinematic Universe Phase One.

Video Review

Ranking:

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' battles its way to Blu-ray with a reference quality AVC MPEG 4 encode framed in the film's original 2.40:1 theatrical aspect ratio.

'Winter Solider' makes for flawless high definition movie watching. Just like its 3D sibling, this movie features crisp black levels, even skin tones, vivid colors and, save for a few soft focus issues, a fantastic sense of resolution. Every real world set, hair follicle, bead of sweat, and stitch of fabric is full visible. The filmmakers, with cinematographer Trent Opaloch, have shot a gorgeous movie augmented by the very best special effect available today (water still looks fake, though). I think this title will be particularly great for those with constant height widescreen projection set ups.

Another topnotch HD video presentation from Marvel.

Audio Review

Ranking:

'Captain America: The Winter Solider' zooms, booms, and blasts its way onto Blu-ray with a reference quality 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack.

Studio blockbuster sound mixes are too good these days. The filmmakers are really smart to juxtapose moments of tender subtly with punctuated blasts of sound. This is a disc that excels at ramping up and down its dynamic range.  Dialog levels are clear, even during heated action. The panning effects are precise and immersive. And the heart-in-your-throat aerial climax is a nonstop LFE demo session. The climax is an aural assault you'll enjoy again and again.

Equally parts aggressive and moments of quiet atmosphere, it's all but impossible to find any flaws in this 7.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix.

Special Features

Ranking:

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' is pretty light on Bonus Material (let's assume the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two collector's edition will cover more). Here is what you will also find on the DVD.

Steve Rogers' Notebook (HD, 2:26). Each region where the film release got its own insert-shot of Cap's notebook where he writes down cultural events he missed while frozen.

Deleted and Extended Scenes (HD, 3:36). Available with optional directors' commentary, here's what didn't make it into the final film.

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' is a terrific homage to '70s conspiracy thrillers and another solid entry in the every-improving Marvel Cinematic Universe. This Blu-ray + Digital HD combo pack offers perfect video and a reference quality 7.1 sound mix, though the Special Features are a bit lacking despite a great Audio Commentary. Your only choice to make -- to 3D or not to 3D? For me, the 3D is good here, but doesn't enhance the overall experience, so I'd say this 2D release is Highly Recommend (while the 3D editions are only Recommended).