Lots of Blue: Captain America: The Winter Soldier & Rio 2

     I would like to start this unlikely duo of critiques with a small giggle since this is quite a different type of pairing than I usually do when I go out to watch films in the cinema. It took me a little longer than usual to go out and watch my second film, but in doing so, with some really fun company, I was inclined to go see an animated film for a change. Now I know I went to go see 'The Lego Movie' but if you account for style and story (and have seen the film) You will know that it isn't your classic pixar-esque laugh-fest with wonderfully animated expressions that mildly resemble the celebrities who play the roles.

     I usually watch animated films when they come out on video(yes, I say video, because I'm old like that) or Netflix simply because I figure I'd save them for a blue day or when my Godsons come over for an impromptu visit. After such a long hiatus from watching Pixar-Esque films in the theatre, I have to say Rio 2 was an extremely entertaining and sweet treat.

RIO 2

     In the age where Television is winning over Movies in budget and narrative quality, films have had a meager push back with sequel-izing every franchise they can. People enjoy running into old friends when they pick up a book series, or watch their favorite show, and films are trying harder than ever to keep up with this 'friend nostalgia' that has trended with Television's rise. You didn't think I'd get so deep in a review of a children's film did you. HA!

     Despite my reservations about this sequel movement, RIO 2 really kept and raised its standard from the original film and added fun new characters that added, but did not crowd, the heart, spice, and hilarity that is expected from this romanticized vision of Brazil's culture and wildlife.

     I was quite happy to see the quality of voice talent range between the music, theatre, and television industries; the film was wonderfully cast. My particular favorites being the Villainous Nigel played by Jemaine Clement (of Flight of the Concords fame) and his new and adoring sidekick Gabi, a poisonous frog with Broadway pipes voiced perfectly by Kristin Chenoweth. Admittedly, these two stole the show in every damn scene and the way they animated Gabi's small, slick, shiny, and fuchsia-and-black, figure made for a wonderfully put together mix of realism and animated swagger. In terms of musical talent, I feel like there were more songs in this film than in the last one, but they played into the story and the characters very well. 

     Oh, and for you ladies out there, yes, Bruno Mars is in it, and he totally plays the character you'd expect. He is a lot of fun to laugh at and he does a great job. 

     I was pleasantly surprised at the continuity of charm, style, and increased flare of the film in comparison to the last. RIO 2 is definitely a fun film for adults and children, with themes and jokes that are integrated cleverly in a way most Disney films wouldn't even dare (Hint: Has to do with the amazon food chain, it's very entertaining). Go watch it, and bring someone who is tickled pink by Animated films. 

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

     Captain America: TWS was an action packed thrillride that kept up with this hero's franchise image as the patriotic-to-a-fault white knight of America. That being said, I found the story was catered towards an event-based story rather than Character base. This means that the drama and story were spurred mostly by the catastrophe and conspiracy rather than Captain America's character development. This was a good move since my main love for its preceding film had to do with the creation story of Captain America within the WWII landscape; now it was time to show him in action, ready and able to take on the next looming event. 

     I enjoyed the film's use of previous villain factions to bring back a sense of sinister and masonic wonder to the trouble ahead, this kept the story fun and comic-like while still remaining consistent with the metallic and matte visual palette of the picture. The way the filmmakers have created the world of Captain America on screen have really made me like him as a superhero, which I originally thought would be a tough sell considering his propagandist origins. 

     Although the main hero is often the focus of the entire film, I found Nick Fury to be the real scene stealer of the entire film. Ususally I chuckle and go 'here goes Sam L Jackson again, mofo this and mofo that' (With Django Unchained being the most amazing exception) But giving him a bigger role in the film with even an isolated chased/action scene made me really love the character and get into Samuel's presence as him. 

     My main complaint was the scale of the film and how it was weighed between action and story. The story seemed to throw chunks of action with story in the beginning, rising, middle, and end. but the gaps were so wide due to it's run time that the one thing keeping me really intrigued by the climactic final act was the Winter Soldier and Nick Fury. Meshing of action and story is always hard but I honestly hoped they would balance it a bit more in the film. All in all, I still enjoyed it. Perhaps a shorter run time may have added the duress to run the story in a less blocky fashion. 


Well, there you have it!!! Sorry for such a long wait! 

Christian A.V. Petrozza