The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Phase 4's been a huge disappointment & these series are a big reason. This is 1 of the better ones, but the Falc as Cap comic was far better. This is uneven & too long at just 6 eps! The film-worthy opening scene practically blows the entire budget & you know the action's going to suffer for awhile. This isn't that Woke but makes sure to appease the mob by having the well-connected Falcon unable to get a bank loan because racism & the vague "Do better" ending is H'wood at its most insufferable.

Despite being far less innovative than Wandavision, a part of me prefers this show because it feels coherent throughout its run. I like the filmmaking a lot, and the focus on mental health and the complicated way Black people view symbols of Americana were valuable new additions to the MCU.

This is unfathomably boring. While there is occasionally a decent fight scene, most of the action is stock quick cut garbage and the screentime typically consists of bland dialog making moronic attempts at politicizing Captain America's symbolism or tepidly touching upon other issues. It doesn't help that the pacing is a total slog, the music choices are ham-fisted, and it boasts the bland Hollywood stylization that has bored me for years, which is somehow particularly egregious in this show.

It could be named "Serum Envy" as a series. It took off very slowly, the main story has potential but it is not very Marvel-y; so it didn't work well. Carter, Kari both were underdeveloped. Zemo kind of saved the whole thing in the beginning and then there was chemistry development between Bucky and Falcon towards the end; so it ended on a high note. I don't think they will do a second season though; it started on a very thin ice as it is.

I like this idea of filling in back story with a longer take. It gives a story more air than a movie could. Maybe too much in this case. Still, the Anthony and Sebastian Show (with special guests Daniel and Emily) passed the time nicely with me.

There’s a lot I do like - all the mains nail the roles given to them and it’s probably the most objectively brutal out of anything I’ve seen just for Disney+, but its failing is not allowing The Falcon as Cap to be anything more than a bridge to another show or movie or special or whatever the hell. It has no core integrity or identity, and then pretends it’s the monologue at the end. We know it’s not.

okay

The show has some great moments but suffers from pacing & balance issues with regards to its plot throughout its 6 episode run. I liked the way the show dealt with race relations and Sam's attitude & reluctance on his journey towards becoming Captain America. I liked the socio-economic consequences of the Snap, though the individual members of the Flag Smashers were unconvincing & underdeveloped. Bucky was great. Zemo & Carter seemed inconsistent. A little all over the place, but enjoyable.

I am not sure I want to watch this series again. The story is a bit messy. The fact it isn't clear who is good/evil should have been more intriguing than confusing. Flag-Smashers are like "Are they calling us terrorists?!" wtf do you expect, you are violent and wear a mask to cover your face! The final speech of Cap is ok, but... Something at the end brought me to scratch my head and think "Ok Cap, I agree with you... so what would you do?". Anthony Mackie is an amazing Cap anyway: super cool!

*GOOD* - Mackie and Stan have amazing chemistry. - Walker is one of the more thought-provoking characters to come out of the MCU. - Lot of homages and respect to the history of the title. *BAD* - Zemo kind of just fizzles out. - The Flag-Smashers seem to be just there, and are a lot less sympathetic than the writers gave them credit for. - Character relationships seemed inconsistent and can change wildly from one scene to the next.