MARCUS CHEONG watches Marvel’s short series, ‘The Falcon and The Winter Soldier’…
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (AU – M/UK – 12/US TV-14)
In a Word: Ambitious
Anthony Mackie stars as The Falcon and Sebastian Stan as The Winter Soldier in Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.
It’s been over a year since the last Marvel movie screened in cinemas, but the journey continues on the small screen with a six part television series on Disney+. While WandaVision opted for a slow burn building to an explosive finale, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier opens with a bang.
“The concept of the series was to take the supporting characters from Captain America and bring them into the limelight. The problem the series faces is that the absence of Chris Evans’ Captain America has left some mighty big boots to fill. Whether or not the Falcon and the Winter Soldier have what it takes to continue Cap’s legacy is the big question.”
Within moments of the opening titles, there is an elaborate action sequence featuring planes, helicopters, heat seeking missiles, flight suits and death defying stunts through a precarious canyon. It is absolutely gratuitous, and exists only to make a statement that the big screen thrills and big budget effects of the feature films will be delivered each week on your television.
Once the explosions have ended, the actual story starts to take shape. Set six months after the events of Avengers: Endgame, the Winter Soldier (aka Bucky Barnes, played by Sebastian Stan) is grappling with the guilt of his past actions and tries to make amends to regain his humanity. Meanwhile, the Falcon (aka Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie) has surrendered Captain America’s shield and is focusing on saving his family business with sister. While the bulk of the pilot episode focuses on these personal dramas, there is a hint at the larger forces at play.
A mysterious terrorist organisation called the “Flag-Smashers” are intent on destroying society as we know to bring in a new world order. It seems it won’t be long before the Falcon and Winter Soldier are drawn out of their personal problems and into facing this world-wide conspiracy. But before then it appears there will be heaped servings of angst and regret, as the titular character grapple with their humanity
The concept of the series was to take the supporting characters from Captain America and bring them into the limelight. The problem the series faces is that the absence of Chris Evans’ Captain America has left some mighty big boots to fill. Whether or not the Falcon and the Winter Soldier have what it takes to continue Cap’s legacy is the big question. And like millions of eager fans around the world, I am hoping they can rise to the occasion.
