The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – First Episode Review
After Avengers: Endgame went epic, and WandaVision got weird (which I loved), it’s nice to see an MCU show that features human-scale action and small(ish) stakes again. It’s hard to get a read on the show because only the first episode of The Falcon the Winter Soldier was available for critics. However, the first episode promises expensive action scenes, human drama, and hopefully zero world-ending snaps.
I’m going to share some non-spoiler thoughts about what I liked about the first episode. This will prevent any spoilers, and hopefully not wreck any surprises that the first episode has in store.
- It’s nice seeing Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) having a personality again. Sure, he’s tortured because he’s been a killing machine for decades, but, he reads as human again. It’s cool.
- The opening action scene is massive, but, it isn’t GIGANTIC. I’s nice watching humans battle each other.
- Anthony Mackie is an excellent actor, and it’s refreshing watching him do more than be Captain America’s second-in-command. It’s neat seeing him figuring out his role in a post Avengers: Endgame world.
- Also, since Sam Wilson is a human, the action is much more grounded and “realistic.” It’s refreshing knowing that Sam can be killed by ordinary means. It adds a more dangerous feel to the ludicrous action scenes.
- The new supporting characters are fun. New blood is always welcome.
- Bucky Barnes can put down some beer.
- I love a good Lucky Cat bit
- Bucky Barnes tells jokes
The biggest hope for the six-episode show is that it isn’t weighed down by fan theories, and that it stays somewhat grounded in the way that Iron Man, Ant-Man and Captain America: Winter Soldier were. The first episode gives me hope!
Let me know what you thought about the first episode in the comments.
Movies, Films & Flix 