The Mosley Review: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
What I'm loving about this new wave of Marvel shows is that each series is exploring the main roster of The Avengers more thoroughly. Each series has its distinct tone and focus that lines up with the tones that were set forth by their preceding films. WandaVision took it to the more magical and somewhat supernatural world and I enjoyed that, but this brings the tone back down to Earth and deals with the world post Blip. The political ramifications, the struggle of those who have had 5 years of their live taken away and how they've created an organization to help them. The Captain America films dealt with the more governmental element of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and that element brilliantly continues in this series. We get more time with titular characters and we peer into their lives as they both try to take on a sort of normal life with a growing global terrorist movement. There are many themes that are explored and I don't want to spoil all of them, but they are so pertinent to today's social climate and economy. We are constantly looking to heroes to lift us up, but what happens when that responsibility is entrusted to a hero that doesn't feel it belongs to him? That is one of the major themes that are explored and I loved the aftermath of a certain choice that is made.
Anthony Mackie once again does a fantastic job as Sam Wilson/The Falcon. Ever since Steve Rogers passed the shield to him at the end of Avengers: Endgame, Sam has always struggled with the notion of taking on the mantle and I loved seeing work through that feeling. He soon realizes that giving it away was a terrible mistake. I also loved seeing Sam go back home to his sister Sarah played wonderfully by Adepero Oduye. She keeps him grounded in the best since and reminds him of what a civilian life is like. Sebastian Stan returns as Bucky Barnes the former Winter Soldier and he has a fulfilling character arc. We get to see how he over came the brainwashing of Hydra in a beautifully acted scene. Even though he is trying to reconnect to the world, his nightmares still plague him as he begins to make amends for his past. Once he reconnects with Sam, the story really takes off. The two of them together were fun to watch as they pick at each in a great buddy cop style. Their chemistry really reminded of Riggs and Murtaugh from the Lethal Weapon films. They were perfect together and you see their bond grow naturally. Wyatt Russell joins the MCU as John Walker and he becomes the government's version of the new Captain America. Wyatt delivers an excellent performance as Walker and you see the man that is trying to live up to the title, but you also see how that expectation and devotion starts to corrupt him. There is one character that nearly steals the entire series and his scenes had the most powerful message of societal response to a possible black Captain America and knowing what comes with carrying such a burden. Carl Lumbly gave an Emmy Award worthy performance as Isaiah Bradley and I loved that we got to dive into his troubled past and how the original Captain America changed and/or ruined his life. His scenes with Sam really cut deep and revealed the more troubling history behind the significance of the shield. His story actually correlates to actual a dark part of World War 2 history which was truly heartbreaking.
Emily VanCamp returns as Sharon Carter and I loved that she is still the badass we saw in Civil War, but she has a new edge about her and we see the consequences of her actions from the past films. She has a great fight sequence in a shipping yard that was tricky to keep from being overly violent for Disney, but it works never the less. The antagonist of the series was fascinating and not exactly wrong, but their methods were. Erin Kellyman was fantastic and strong as Karli Morgenthau. As the leader of the rebelious and dangerous terrorist group The Flag Smashers, you see her point in making the world understand why the people that returned from the Blip shouldn't be treated like refugees in their own regions. Her conviction to these ideals are right, but her violent nature is where she failed. I agree with her message, but not her methods. Erin delivered a powerful and empathetic performance that'll truly be remembered. Daniel Bruhl returns as Baron Helmut Zemo and I loved every second that he was on screen. He steals every moment with his elegant and suave attitude as he glides through scenes. You spend more time with him and he asks the hard questions and also givers answers to them. I can't believe it, but at times Zemo was right.
The score by Henry Jackman was excellent and I loved his slower and darker versions of The Winter Soldier and Captain America theme. The score really becomes heartfelt and powerful in the scenes between Isaiah and Sam. The cinematography of the show was gorgeous and the action sequences are on par with what you see on the big screen. Most shows nowadays feel like a long form story with film qualities, but this was long and fantastic film told over six different chapters. I loved this series and it was right up there with the Captain America trilogy in tone and quality. Definitely check this show out if you're still on the fence about continuing the MCU on television. All episodes are currently streaming on Disney+. Let me know what you thought of the show or of my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
