Marvel’s movies will never be called unentertaining. Despite this, Marvel’s movies have become more mindless fun than hard-hitting action movies with hints of comedy and drama. This is what sets “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” apart from the illustrious superhero crowd. While Marvel movies such as “Iron Man” and “Thor” rely heavily on the popularity of one character, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” uses its seasoned cast to convey a plot that is actually interesting.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” tells the story of Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers who was last seen in “Captain America: The First Avenger,” waking up in present time. While juggling working with the not-so-super secret agency S.H.I.E.L.D with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Natasha “Black Widow” Romanov (Scarlett Johansson), he is also feeling like a fish out of water in this new world. He also feels as if what S.H.I.E.L.D is doing is not what is right for the country.

This is when I got a little apprehensive. Although “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” is a relatively good television show, this part of the Marvel universe has always lacked logic within the present day setting. How is this agency still secret when literally all of Manhattan was destroyed in “The Avengers”? Luckily, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” adds much needed depth to the agency, even including twists and turns that will change everything in Marvel adaptations to come.

The cast are the real superheroes. Chris Evans, while mostly an understated actor, brings emotional and humorous punches when needed. His one-liners almost beat Tony Stark’s. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role, but also brings likeability to her character, something that could go a long way in getting a Black Widow standalone movie. Anthony Mackie is a welcome addition, although seemingly random, and Samuel L. Jackson continues to be the balancing act in a cast full of inexperienced actors. This time, he’s not alone. Veteran actor Robert Redford brings his experience to an aged role, and pulls off a character that might be a worthy foe in the Marvel universe.

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” shows that Marvel is capable of making movies that are thought provoking. It is a good example for movies to come.