SINGAPORE — Even moviegoers suffering from superhero burnout would likely stand up and salute Captain America: The Winter Solider.

In a deluge of ho-hum superhero sequels, this one rises to the top of the heap — Cap is back and in very fine form.

And we’re not just talking about Chris Evans’ ridiculously buffed bod. Following in the post-Avengers framework set down by Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World and the television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Winter Soldier sees recently thawed super soldier Steve Rogers continue to struggle with adjusting to life in the modern world. It’s never easy, especially when you also have to expose a conspiracy that threatens to wipe out millions of lives.

Who would have thought that a pair of directors who are better known for that hilarious TV show Community could present us with a kick-ass sequel that is both multi-layered and action-packed with genuinely stunning action sequences?

Anthony and Joe Russo cleverly mix a gratifying script packed with sporadic cheese and fan favourite character moments with political thriller elements from the 1970s. The result is a superhero movie that doesn’t quite feel like a superhero movie. In fact, the inspired casting of icon Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce is a spot on nod to conspiracy thrillers of yore, delightfully exploring very topical themes and fears about security, government and freedom.

Evans is more and more charismatic as Cap. His earnestness (if a little bland), work to his character’s full advantage. Anthony Mackie shines as Falcon and fans will be more than happy to be treated a smorgasboard of vigorous scenes with Samuel L Jackson’s Nick Fury and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow. Amid the multitude of fan-pleasing references, look out for Singapore’s own Chin Han with his “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” one line.

Oh, and stay till the very end. And we do mean the very, very end. Captain’s orders.

(PG, 136 mins)