My favorite MCU movie is Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The concept takes a shrewd view of subversive, political maggots, parenthesized by a '70s conspiracy-film style. It not only presents an action-packed plot, but an allegorical reflection of the treacherous, current global landscape. In a nutshell, there's much to learn from this warning-wrought, Avengers chapter.
That Disney+' The Falcon and the Winter Solider can extend this daring strand pleases me, especially since I've long admired Sam Wilson's faithful Falcon and the staunch James "Bucky" Barnes (no matter the sidekick's designations or redesigns). Moreover, the big-screen portrayals of Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan respectively have reinforced my appreciation. (I just pray that Disney's restrictive, cancel-culture policies don't dismantle their dignity.)
Whatever the series' planned angle, I can't at all conceive Falcon and Winter Solider evading an air of somberness. For one, the departure of Chris Evans' Steve Rogers will haunt and challenge our heroes (okay, maybe in Barnes' case, it's more antihero), even though Wilson's altered armor will keep Cap's emblematic shine alive. I suppose that the eponymous pair will also continue to look for enemies on the left (freedom-hating Hydra comes to immediate mind), while fortifying freedom fighters on the right, figuratively speaking, that is (ahem).
I wonder, however, how hard it'll be for the anguished Barnes to stay "sober". I suspect that Wilson will keep him in check with philosophical persuasion, though Emily VanCamp's Sharon Carter (Peggy's smokin' niece), Wyatt Russell's John F. Walker (aka Cap Jr, or perhaps ultimately U.S. Agent), Don Cheadle's Rhodey Rhodes (if only along for a hardy cameo) and Daniel Bruhl's multi-layered Baron Zemo could rock the pot of ethical balance in any interim. Let's face it, there's no way that Barnes won't get confused and/or tempted to do something unwonted, dependent upon how the Manchurian Candidate wind blows. That would be a good thing, though. Quality melodrama would surely spring from any such intrinsic turmoil, as long as Malcolm (Empire) Spellman and associates' writing, as abetted by Kari (Riverworld) Skogland's direction, goes where it should.
Above any other MCU/Disney+ series, Falcon and Winter Soldier excites me the most, but it could as well let me down the most if its focus gets muddled. Please, oh please, let it stay clear. Cap's legacy deserves that much, as does that of our new, cinematic dynamic duo,Wilson and Barnes.
The first of Falcon and Winter Soldier's six episodes premieres March 19, commencing an apt replacement for that acclaimed, far-out warm-up, WandaVision.
Engrossing first episode...felt connected to Sam and Bucky's plights. A lot of humanity in both let's-get-back-to-normal instances.
ReplyDeleteWatched the second episode: great melodrama. I'm really liking where this one is going.
ReplyDeleteI can say this in regard to the season (now that the finale has hit): People on the higher echelon (those in particular elected to posts) don't listen because they dare not get into the mosh pit of life. On the other hand, I have no sympathy whatsoever for those who dare employ terrorism to make a point. They are the enemy, pure and simple.
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