What an awesome can of whoopass. I have to hand it to Marvel they have accomplished something never before done for film. They have successfully created a complete universe across multiple films while also creating standalone stories that are *expertly* told. I am not a comic book fan. Did not read them as a kid. I don't have anything invested in the Marvel films other than getting my money's worth.
And damn if they don't give it to you with CA:TWS. I actually think Chris Evans' performance as CA is the BEST of the Marvel performances by far - yes, even better than RDJ as Iron Man. Captain America is a part that would be so easy to muck up, so easy to make cornball and hokey, but Evans takes the foundation he established with the first film and knocks it out the park in this one. He is the heart and soul of the movie and his performance is outstanding.
Hell ALL the performances are top notch. Scarlett Johannsen just gets better and better in every film I see her in. She owns the role of Black Widow and gives so much depth and nuance to the character in key moments that you just want to know everything about her. It's a beautiful thing to watch her relationship with CA because it's just real and no hyper sexual nonsense. In fact I'd use a word I would not have imagined associated with these films: complicated. These people are complicated. But not overly dramatic Nolan, brooding philisophical Wachowski or Tim Burton mental, etc. They're superheroes but they are still people and people are complicated. Marvel has nailed this dynamic and to have not only maintained it over multiple big budget films but also expand on it is nothing short of amazing.
Still on the fence about a talking Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy though. I'm going to need convincing on that one.
Pretty excited by the Strange name drop too. That should make for a trippy series.
