With the end of the recent Disney+ hit The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, the second Captain America standalone has certainly gained some fresh context (especially considering the ending title of the final episode). Captain America: The Winter Soldier picks back up with the titular character after the first momentous Avengers team-up, as he struggles to adjust to modern life while becoming more disillusioned with S.H.I.E.L.D. and their methods.
The film also formally introduces the Russo Brothers (Anthony & Joe) to the MCU. The future helmers of the iconic Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, the directing duo flex their skills with both action and character, pouring quality into every minute of the film and maximizing the effectiveness of every character's screen time.
Jasper Sitwell (~5:23)
Debuting in Thor, Jasper Sitwell was a higher up in HYDRA's parasitic existence within S.H.I.E.L.D. First appearing in Winter Soldier as a hostage during the Captain America-led Lemurian Star mission, he draws the suspicions of both Steve and the audience, looking very out of place and starting Steve down his path of disillusionment.
Sitwell eventually becomes a pesky adversary, leading the hunt for Steve and Natasha (A.K.A. Black Widow), but after spilling on HYDRA's intentions, Sitwell is abruptly disposed of by the Winter Soldier, seen as nothing more than a loose end.
Sharon Carter (~5:32)
If there's any character who's certainly more than they initially seem, Sharon Carter without a doubt fits the bill. First appearing as Steve's anonymous neighbor, it isn't long before she reveals herself as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent directly under Fury's orders. And when Captain America reveals the ugly truth of HYDRA's continued existence within S.H.I.E.L.D. she bravely steps up, trading gunfire with Brock Rumlow.
Since her short debut in this film, Sharon has gone on to play a pivotal role in the story of Captain America and continues to be more than meets the eye.
Maria Hill (~8:40)
There are few things more difficult to achieve in the MCU than gaining the trust of Nick Fury, which makes his right hand Maria Hill one impressive agent.
Appearing in time to witness Fury fake his death in the operating room, she doesn't return until she comes to the rescue of Natasha, Steve, and Sam (A.K.A. Falcon) following their capture by S.H.I.E.L.D. (HYDRA), and plays a key role in the final mission to take down the whole organization. With the collapse of S.H.I.E.L.D., she finds herself in the offices of Stark Industries, though viewers surely know that whenever Fury calls, she'll be there.
Alexander Pierce (~16:47)
One of the biggest reasons for Nick Fury's trust issues, Alexander Pierce is a worthy big bad with truly diabolical intentions and the resources to achieve them. The leader of HYDRA's parasitic S.H.I.E.L.D. form, Pierce first appears as Fury's longtime friend and rare confidant.
But as the film progresses, his true nature is gradually revealed with every action, including his command of the Winter Soldier and his end goal of eliminating every potential threat to HYDRA's new world order, a casualty list that would've topped 20 million. Thank goodness for Captain America and company.
Brock Rumlow & Jack Rollins (~17:10)
When it came to HYDRA agents Brock Rumlow and Jack Rollins, Captain America unknowingly gave new meaning to the old adage "keep your friends close and your enemies closer". Both part of Steve's personal strike team, Rollins and Rumlow first appear during the Lumerian Star mission, but after that can be found more often at Pierce's side than Steve's.
In the iconic elevator scene, Rumlow and Rollins join a bunch of other HYDRA agents who are all defeated by Captain America himself. But despite HYDRA's collapse at the end of the film, Captain America and company would see Rumlow again in the near future.
Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes (~21:23)
There are few (if any) cooler reentries into the MCU than Bucky as the Winter Soldier. Serving as the lurking threat that could emerge at any moment, he quickly proves to be the only one who can go toe-to-toe with Steve, grabbing his (and the viewers) attention when he catches the mythical shield and throws it right back.
After interacting with Steve, Bucky's doubts creep in, prompting a look at the tortuous treatment and brainwashing HYDRA had put him through for decades. But in the end, it is Bucky who saves Steve, before wandering off and starting down a path that he still might be walking.
Nick Fury (~25:16)
If there's one lesson to take away from Captain America: The Winter Soldier, it's that Nick Fury is one hard man to kill. After debating the ethics of modern world security with Captain America himself, he unknowingly stumbles onto evidence of his good friend Alexander Pierce's grand plans.
But before his suspicions can grow any further, Pierce calls for his assassination, launching an epic car chase through the streets of Washington D.C. that ends with a narrow escape from the pursuing Winter Soldier. After reemerging from his faked death and helping to take down his beloved S.H.I.E.L.D., he slips off in pursuit of surviving remnants of HYDRA.
Falcon/Sam Wilson (~28:32)
Before he was serving as his heir apparent, Sam Wilson (A.K.A. The Falcon) was getting lapped by Steve on their morning run. The next Captain America debuted in Winter Soldier as one of the few people Steve found himself relating to, while also making some great music recommendations.
Eventually becoming the last person Steve could turn to, he and Natasha show up at Sam's front door after an eventful run-in with the digitized Dr. Arnim Zola. Despite being retired, Sam gladly jumps back into the fray, equipped with his trademark wings. After helping to take down the S.H.I.E.L.D./HYDRA hybrid, he tags along with Steve on his next mission; finding Bucky.
Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (~44:19)
Before finally getting her own standalone movie, Black Widow's impressive runtime in Winter Soldier easily made her the second lead, behind only the Captain himself. Despite ending up as one of Steve's most trusted companions, she starts off as quite the opposite when it's revealed during the Lumerian Star mission that she had a side mission of her own.
But after Fury's supposed death, the two team up to get to the bottom of things, ultimately unraveling the truth of HYDRA's continued existence. In the end, Natasha admirably releases S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secrets to the public, exposing her own dark past in the process.
Captain America/Steve Rogers (~1:24:21)
It's no surprise the titular Captain is the leader in screen time, and by a wide margin at that. The once sure-sighted Steve had become unmoored since awakening from the ice and leading a hastily put together Avengers team.
But as his disillusionment with Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. grew, he found assurance in his growing connections with Sam (Falcon) and Natasha (Black Widow), strengthening his resolve to pursue Bucky in spite of his brainwashed state and murderous history. Winter Soldier saw the rise of Steve's feelings on individual agency and wariness of the government, views that would only solidify in the coming films.