Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Set two years after The Avengers, Marvel's latest superhero saga centers on a Cold War conspiracy that could deliver covert technology into the hands of the enemy. U.S. Army Officer Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) grows suspicious about corruption within S.H.I.E.L.D. after the Secretary of the World Security Council (Robert Redford) reveals top-secret plans for Project Insight, which features three huge high-tech drone-like “helicarriers” that will act as insidiously spying eyes-in-the-sky. “This isn't freedom; this is fear,” Rogers tells Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), who warns Cap, “Trust no one.” Working with Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Rogers also enlists a former Iraq/Afghanistan paratrooper, Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie). The titular bad guy is a brainwashed Russian assassin known as Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), who turns out to be someone Rogers knew way-back-when. Based on Ed Brubaker's comic book series, the quirky plot is convoluted but the film itself is adroitly directed by brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, who explore the relevant contemporary themes of surveillance, security, and control vs. liberty. While Evans doesn't have the acting chops of Iron Man star Robert Downy Jr., Redford brings inherent gravitas to his role, and it's fun to spot Marvel legend Stan Lee as a hapless Smithsonian security guard. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the “Steve Rogers' Notebook” making-of featurette (3 min.), a deleted scene (2 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are an audio commentary by directors Anthony and Joe Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the “On the Frontline: An Inside Look at Captain America's Battlegrounds” behind-the-scenes featurette (10 min.), a gag reel (3 min.), additional deleted/extended scenes (2 min.), an “On Set with Anthony Mackie: Cut the Check!” featurette with the costar (2 min.), and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package—on Blu-ray—for this fun popcorn superhero flick.] (S. Granger)