The first couple of captain america movies were good. I know. I know. I hate the mcu too but the first couple of captain america movies were good I'm Sorry. I have to speak my truth
The mcu wasn't ALWAYS completely soulless. Like it was never high art or anything it's always been kinda silly action movies but the first couple of em were good. I'm not gonna let the first avenger + winter soldier get memory hole'd Never forget what we once had. Me & like three other people are left standing in the stucky trenches in 2023. I am cringe but I am right. Remember what we believed in
I'll happily go farther than that: Winter Soldier is a great movie. The dialogue is good, the pacing is good, each supporting actor gets a solid arc which means for once Natasha and Fury are written well and Anthony Mackie gets to show off his range, the fight choreography is snappy and well thought-out, and the Bucky reveal is timed and acted impeccably.
Also, not to soapbox about this again like it's 2014 lol, but while I'm on the fence about how intentional it was, they really did go ahead and say "the core of US military imperialism is white supremacy and it's irredeemable, the only thing to do with it is expose it and burn it down" and they said it cogently and impactfully.
Wasn't aware that people were saying that these movies were bad? But this is a hill I'm perfectly willing to die on even 9 years later. Of course taste is subjective but I'm with OP, I'm speaking my truth and Winter Soldier was awesome.