An all American kinda hero

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1941, the story picks up after the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, and finds Steve Rogers living quietly in Washington DC and trying to adjust to the modern world.

But when a SHIELD colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue and mystery that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), 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 Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon (Anthony Mackie). However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable new enemy-the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).

Films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier are like Gladiators in the Coliseum's arena, satisfying the entertainment lust of ardent fans and cinephiles, ensuring to be the best warrior and defeat the myriad other big-screen spectacles where the context of visual effects holds everything in its firm grip.

Mind-blowing contextual landscape

The success of the film depends on how the immense and mind-blowing contextual landscape supports the story, the theme and its vibrant characters.

As Captain America: The Winter Soldier is only one link in a cleverly constructed saga of the Marvel Universe, Emmy Award-winning directors Anthony and Joe Russo, and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, have made sure that the connection between this film with other films in the Marvel Universe is solid.

Although the film is dominated by unbelievably powerful and well-executed action and fight sequences, it is ultimately the story of two soldiers whose past encounter tests their friendship and present status pits them against each other as deadly foes.

Chris Evans, who returns as Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is super-sexy and suave as a superhero who doesn't fly, doesn't shoot lightning bolts, but whose combat style is grounded in reality, punching and kicking his way to victory with the aid of his magical shield.

Sebastian Stan, who also starred in Captain America: The First Avenger and Black Swan, is equally potent as Captain America's new threat who seems to be unstoppable-The Winter Soldier-a super-soldier who is the world's greatest assassin, a ghost- ops character who is an infamous assassin who's rarely been seen by operatives and intelligence agencies throughout the world.

If you are looking for entertainment that is bold and explosive, with a gorgeous cast that provides plenty of eye candy, and visual splendour that is unequivocal, Captain America: The Winter Soldier guarantees to keep you on the edge of your seat, especially in its 3D format.

It does what films are supposed to do: entertain unashamedly and showcases the art and magic of filmmaking at its best, allowing us to escape into a magical world of wonder where the ordinary man takes on the world and becomes a hero who will sacrifice everything for friendship and loyalty.

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Behind the scenes

Executive producers and directors of the critically acclaimed, award-winning television shows Arrested Development and Community, the Russo Brothers were thrilled to immerse themselves in the Marvel Universe. "It was a pretty cool moment for two reasons," recalled Anthony Russo. "The first being we had always been very excited and inspired by Marvel's choices in the past and the second being we were on the directors list without campaigning or making an effort to actually get on it. It really showed us that, creatively, Marvel is open to giving opportunities that can be a little left of centre."

While the story of Marvel's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is set in the present day, the tone of the script and story are throwbacks to a good retro thriller. "We wanted the film to have a vérité style that makes you feel like you're with Captain America," said Anthony Russo. "We wanted the story and style to feel very intimate and grounded, which is so critical to the 1970s' political thrillers that inspired this film." Go behind the scenes: www.writingstudio.co.za/page1037.html