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“A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a difficult time” (Prov. 17:17).

Captain America: The First Avenger is my favorite of all the recent Marvel Comics movies. In my eyes, it was a smashing success how they pulled off the World War II-era setting. I’d say it had a similar feel to Raiders of the Lost Ark.

So when Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier came out, I had much curiosity toward how it would compare to the original. Of course, this would be the third movie to feature Captain America, since he made an appearance in The Avengers, and I appreciated the elements of patriotism, moral character and even Judeo-Christian ethics that he represented in the blockbuster hit.

But how would Captain America handle his new world now that he had some time to settle into the 21st century? What I took from CA2, I believe the writers wanted us to see how a hero from “The Greatest Generation” would handle a society where the enemy does not have a clear-cut identity.

Though he was challenged, I believe Captain America’s moral standards remained true. Scarlett Johansson’s character, Black Widow, does her best to challenge him with silly questions and uncomfortable circumstances, as well as tempt many audience members with her tight, revealing outfits. But along with showing Cap staying true to his convictions, this movie, I believe, emphasized another important message.

Throughout the show, the message I got was one of trusting friendships. At the beginning, viewers see Captain America befriending Sam Wilson who is a counselor for war veterans. Something happens later in the story where Cap has to confide in Sam because he is not sure who else to trust. Black Widow is another, as well as S.H.I.E.L.D leader Nick Fury, whose friendships with Cap are sharpened in this story.

One of the main parts of the plot is when Cap is challenged by one of his closest friends. The climactic scene could even symbolize the words of Christ, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends,” (John 15:13).

There are some great suspenseful moments. This movie also has loads of references to other movies. They are not just from other Marvel movies, but there is even one glaring reference to an 80’s flick, which was one of my favorite scenes. There are other great humorous moments, including one involving Fury and his car computer when he is under siege.

Violence is all through this show, but this is a super hero movie, so I don’t think anybody should be surprised. Profane language, however, is minimal.

Obviously, if you are a fan of the Marvel Avengers movie series, you will have to see this, and I guarantee you will enjoy.

So go with friends, and learn a lesson on how to be a true one.

Photo credit: Marvel Comics