A very political and not very decisive fifth episode, which opens the doors to the season finale. Here is the review of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier
ORIGINAL TITLE: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. KIND: Super heroes. NATION: United States. FILM DIRECTOR: Kari Skogland. CAST: Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Wyatt Russell, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle, Daniel Brühl. time: 6 episodes, 45/55 min approx. DISTRIBUTOR: Disney+. EXIT: March 19, 2021.
We have now understood that The Falcon and The Winter Soldier it is not the usual product Marvel. With the fourth phase, the studios have reorganized their way of telling stories, aimed much more about introspection and less about action.
A change that, for those who follow the events of the superheroes from the beginning, is noticeable and also a lot, but not out of place. It doesn’t make the tale any less interesting, or less emotionless where before the countless fight scenes alone did most of the work. The deepening of all those dynamics that make up the figure of the hero they turned out to be much more interesting than we thought, giving us the opportunity to experience our favorites from a different perspective, more human.
This further step brings to the scene a newspaper full of interesting, plausible elements, capable of importing into the narrative a whole series of issues addressed even previously, but with less courage than they are doing now in the series.
The historical period we are experiencing has certainly helped to make it easier such a precise narrative approach; however, the great awareness-raising work carried out to make the viewer approach enormous issues of resounding media importance remains incredible.
A note of merit, without a doubt, to the leading actors; able to offer performances so deep and touching as to discredit the criticisms aimed at the superficiality of superhero films.
Let’s analyze together the fifth episode.
The showdown | The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Review
The fifth episode has a longer duration than the previous four, all minutes more useful for the deepening of the individual characters introduced so far.
For some of these, the episode represents the concluding chapter (Low), for others a new starting point (Captain America); finally, however, let’s go back to focusing on Sam and Bucky. Left a little on the sidelines in the previous episodes, in the latter the sums of the work carried out up to now are summed up, leading the two, following a great process of maturation, to confront themselves with sincerity, put aside the remaining mistrust , and collaborate without hesitation in view of the final goal.
Disappointing, perhaps, is the farewell to Zemo (if we have to talk about goodbye). From the very first rumors about the series, its return to the Marvel world has intrigued many, if not all. Such a precious and well-characterized character could finally have his cinematography revenge; again, however, I believe that has not been exploited properly. Hers has been the least understood role so far, or perhaps only a little in depth. On the other hand, the scene with Bucky is interesting; also in this case (which is a bit the leitmotif of the entire episode) we have an exceptional showdown, masterfully shot and able to say much more with gestures than words would have done.
Also Captain America, alias John Walker, has in its own way a personal outcome of the story. After the shocking finale of the staged race, the fragility that lies within a role so full of responsibility; a fragility that a man cannot afford, especially if he has sworn to protect the whole world. This excessive load of stress, mixed with a strong delusion of omnipotence, has led him to see himself different from what he has always been, accentuating a delusional negative side, pushing him towards a blind madness from which, it seems, he just can’t get out. .
Sam e Bucky
The two Avengers are perhaps the ones who have to support the greater legacy. Feelings of guilt towards the past, helplessness for the present and concern for the future: nothing is certain, nothing is certain. But it will be precisely the ability to coexist together in times of difficulty that will give them the ability to see beyond the problem to reach the solution. Protagonists of a great training process, they have finally found the maturity to face their demons and defeat them.
Legacy | The Falcon and The Winter Soldier Review
The movement Black Lives Matter marked the story, but also the narration of the six episodes of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.
The influence of politics is perceived, and it is seen. The relationship of the police forces with the African American community, and with society as a whole, without going into detail on the thorniest issues. Years and years of white supremacy and racism, are very well enclosed in short but intense scenes.
In this sense, the figure of Isaiah and of the abuses experienced, of imprisonment and isolation; hits the moral, ethical and above all political value of giving the shield to a black hero within a society, the white one, which still does not perceive normality in this.
In this sense Sam is the bearer of a great legacy: the initiator of a new, better story, which finally sees a community given the recognition that awaits it after centuries of slavery.
Conclusions
This episode slows down times: less dynamic, less decisive. It presents solutions, but leaves many arguments open; which makes it difficult to give a real judgment, not having enough material available to understand which is the direction in which he wants to go. With just one episode from the end we cannot sum up, but we cannot fail to consider that there is of the valuable content in the script of this series.
In the slowness of the episode, we also find many points in favor; one of them is the introduction of a new character.
This, which comes to life directly from the pages of the Marvel comics, is probably the appearance that the authors of the series had announced. Nothing too striking, true, but we must also take into account another interesting factor; for those who are not really fond of comics, probably the new character will not say much, but it must still be admitted that his brief appearance suggests interesting developments for a specific storyline. We’ll see.
The legacy of Steve Rogers
Points in favor
- Main characters
- Finale
- Political Speech