In the years since The Avengers movie release in 2012, Marvel has continuously tried to shake the fun-for-all-ages reputation from their movies. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the darkest sequel yet, overwhelmingly beating the depressed, anxiety-filled storylines featured in 2013’s Iron Man 3 and The Wolverine.

The movie takes place two years after the Avenger’s battle in New York with Steve Rogers living in Washington D.C. Still adjusting to being in the modern age, Rogers makes cute lists of pop culture references to learn and tries to accept that everyone he loves is dead or dying.

The movie builds on the story from the first Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and without prior-watching the sequel can be confusing to follow. Congratulations should be given to the screenwriters for consistency in their recent superhero movies: Stark Industries is referenced, Bruce Banner is name-dropped, and the film consistently hints at a main character’s unknown backstory. As unlikely characters resurface the audience is kept guessing who’s really alive and who’s dead throughout the entire movie.

The overwhelming pain suffered by Captain America would’ve left the audience in tears within the first twenty minutes into the film if it weren’t for the constant explosions, car wrecks, and shoot-outs. The idea that no citizens should be harmed was completely ignored as fifty police cars wiped out an entire street in downtown D.C.

The movie features a generous amount of dry humor mostly delivered by the witty remarks of Captain America’s butt-kicking partner, Black Widow. The best plot twist was the presence of strong female characters. Cobie Smulders and Scarlett Johansson revived their roles as Agent Maria Hill and Black Widow, characters vital to the storyline. There were no damsels in distress and refreshingly no love interests that cloud the superheroes’ judgement.

As one of the darkest Marvel movies to date, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is one of the best superhero movies released in years. Hopefully, it is just the start to the upcoming summer stream of super movies.