The Falcon and the Winter Soldier | 2025: Movie Log vol.35

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Nice to meet you, I'm Kyo.
Finally, 'Captain America: Brave New World' is here to kick off the 2025 MCU. Of course, the day before its release, I have to watch this work. (Well, it's not a movie, though.)

Let's get right into today's entry.

'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'

"A Work of Succession"

A work with immense respect for Cap.
As one of the themes from Phase 4 onwards, this is the work where you can most feel the "succession (legacy)" mentioned in the show and the heavy responsibilities that come with it. By not easily bringing in Steve Rogers (including flashbacks), it makes you realize the magnitude of his existence and his loss.

The biggest thing is, after all, the weight of his "shield."
Since everyone knows what it means to hold the shield—to take on the name of Captain America—I can understand the feelings of everyone: Sam, who once gave up the shield; Walker, who struggled to become someone worthy of it; and Bucky, who couldn't accept it.

And then, the moment Sam takes on the name of Captain America. You can re-realize that the essence of a hero lies not in the shield or the super-soldier serum (superpowers), but in the determination of who you use your power for and how.

I love episode 5, where you can care about these characters the most. Walker's downfall (the fight with Sam & Bucky was also heartbreaking and good), the harrowing past of Isaiah that was finally told, and the warmth of the scene where Sam takes a brief rest in his hometown—it's the best episode where everything built up in the drama series takes shape.

I especially love the scene where Bucky apologizes to Sam.
Because both Cap and Bucky saw Sam as an individual person, they couldn't see the connections surrounding him, and I think it's cool that they can apologize once they realize it.

It's not just the hero side; the villains are also charming.
(As I write below) The Flag Smashers, who are fighting for people who suddenly lost their place, and their leader, Karli.

While being a leader who guides people, she also has her heart swayed by Sam's persuasion, gets emotional when Sam doesn't fight back in the final battle, and even in her final moments, it's heartbreaking to see her show a side appropriate for her age at times.

But there are also great villains who overshadow the main villain. Zemo, who continues to hate immense power, and Sharon, who just can't forgive the world, are both incredibly convincing and excellent. The way they end up winning in the end, with such childish thoroughness, is great.

Not a villain, but Valentina, right?
An eerie presence that keeps appearing here and there since Phase 4, continuing to act for goals outside of the work itself. I wonder if she'll finally be unveiled in 'Thunderbolts'.

And the high resolution of the MCU world.
Even though it's early Phase 4, I think this is the work with the highest resolution regarding the damage (from the Snap) in Infinity War. (In other works, it tends to be made light of, but you can realize that serious problems are actually occurring.)

Moreover, the skill of linking that to the refugee (and immigrant) problems that are currently happening. The fact that suddenly, your place to belong is no longer your place, or you have nowhere to return to, is happening in the real world—a fact that is hard for Japanese people to imagine (though, of course, it's not someone else's problem for Japanese people either).

Of course, such problems don't have immediate answers, nor should they necessarily be given, so there is no clear answer in the work, but I thought it was a wonderful work just for being a trigger to have interest and awareness of the problem. (You should watch it just for Captain's final speech.)

Also, as I wrote before, I'm happy that the Captain America series has a lot of hand-to-hand combat action. And thanks to the super-soldier serum being a key item, it's the best action where you can feel the superhuman speed and power.

I tried to summarize it, but of course, a drama is going to be long. Finally, tomorrow is Brave New World!! Bring it on, 2025 MCU!!

I'm also looking forward to 'Thunderbolts', which features Bucky, Walker, and Val. The trailer released a few days ago was also good.

Thank you for reading to the end!
Day 96