'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,' streaming Disney+, gets mixed reviews

March 19, 2021 at 9:17 p.m.
'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,' streaming Disney+, gets mixed reviews
'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,' streaming Disney+, gets mixed reviews

John Mulderig

NEW YORK – The action is lively but the drama dull in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."

The first episode of this small-screen extension of the Marvel Comics Universe is currently streaming on Disney+. The five remaining installments will become available each Friday through April 23.

Series creator Malcolm Spellman picks up where the 2019 film "Avengers: Endgame" concluded. The fast-paced opening sequence finds Sam Wilson, aka bewinged superhero Falcon (Anthony Mackie), battling generic terrorists in the air over Tunisia.

While it's not very clearly explained to viewers just who the baddies are or what they're up to, it hardly matters. Sam serves them up their undoubtedly just deserts in a satisfying manner. Back on the ground, however, more exposition is needed.
[[In-content Ad]]

It's taken for granted, for instance, that viewers know that the other half of the titular duo, the alter ego of Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), was once a brainwashed assassin. Now intent on making amends, to the extent he can, he's also in therapy with an unnamed psychiatrist (Amy Aquino).

With Steve Rogers, alias Captain America, out of the picture and perhaps dead, Sam, the heir to his trademark shield, pays tribute to Cap before ceremoniously enshrining his impenetrable piece of armor in a display case at the Smithsonian Institution. It's not destined to remain there long, however.

As far as Sam's private life goes, we're shown his close but quarrelsome relationship with his sister, Sarah (Adepero Oduye). The two are at loggerheads over whether to sell the fishing boat their parents once owned or try to raise the money to repair it. This is not exactly edge-of-your-seat material.

Based on the episode reviewed, the dust-ups are stylized with only the aftereffects of one bone-crunching attack approaching anything like gore. But the occasional vulgar expression makes this best for adults and only possible acceptable for older teens. The show is rated TV-14 – parents strongly cautioned.

Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.


Related Stories

NEW YORK – The action is lively but the drama dull in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."

The first episode of this small-screen extension of the Marvel Comics Universe is currently streaming on Disney+. The five remaining installments will become available each Friday through April 23.

Series creator Malcolm Spellman picks up where the 2019 film "Avengers: Endgame" concluded. The fast-paced opening sequence finds Sam Wilson, aka bewinged superhero Falcon (Anthony Mackie), battling generic terrorists in the air over Tunisia.

While it's not very clearly explained to viewers just who the baddies are or what they're up to, it hardly matters. Sam serves them up their undoubtedly just deserts in a satisfying manner. Back on the ground, however, more exposition is needed.
[[In-content Ad]]

It's taken for granted, for instance, that viewers know that the other half of the titular duo, the alter ego of Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), was once a brainwashed assassin. Now intent on making amends, to the extent he can, he's also in therapy with an unnamed psychiatrist (Amy Aquino).

With Steve Rogers, alias Captain America, out of the picture and perhaps dead, Sam, the heir to his trademark shield, pays tribute to Cap before ceremoniously enshrining his impenetrable piece of armor in a display case at the Smithsonian Institution. It's not destined to remain there long, however.

As far as Sam's private life goes, we're shown his close but quarrelsome relationship with his sister, Sarah (Adepero Oduye). The two are at loggerheads over whether to sell the fishing boat their parents once owned or try to raise the money to repair it. This is not exactly edge-of-your-seat material.

Based on the episode reviewed, the dust-ups are stylized with only the aftereffects of one bone-crunching attack approaching anything like gore. But the occasional vulgar expression makes this best for adults and only possible acceptable for older teens. The show is rated TV-14 – parents strongly cautioned.

Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Lawmakers call for release of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez
Lawmakers and exiled Nicaraguan nationals at a congressional hearing

Father Koch: A new liturgical year repeats the warning about the immanence of the end time
As we enter the Season of Advent we get ...

RBC football’s state title a fitting end for seniors who experienced a lot
When the Red Bank Catholic High School football team beat ...

New Jersey priest's devotion to saint helps bring her life to the big screen
For the last decade, Msgr. Paul Bochicchio of St. Francis Church...

“Christ the King”
I’m good at loading too much on my plate.


The Evangelist, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203-1422 | PHONE: 518-453-6688| FAX: 518-453-8448
© 2023 Trenton Monitor, All Rights Reserved.