Movie Night: Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Review #571: Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Cast
Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow), Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Falcon), Frank Grillo (Brock Rumlow), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Maximiliano Hernández (Jasper Sitwell), Emily VanCamp (Kate/Agent 13), Robert Redford (Alexander Pierce), and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo.

Review
You might be wondering why I waited two weeks after the movie premiered to finally watch and then review this movie. Well, I wanted to give this enough time to subside and not have as many people (That and I actually had plans to do stuff on the Friday it came out, the ACT was on the week after and a talent show on last Thursday, so I had to get a few things done first), and yet there was still a good crowd of people going to see this, which is a good sign. To make a good sequel, you have to make it good enough to make you forget about comparing it to the first movie, in which that it is good enough to stand on its own. So how is this movie? It's a real blast that also manages to be a game changer in terms of this movie universe. This movie feels like a thriller from way back when, so naturally Robert Redford is in this. And he is wonderful, managing to have great chemistry with everyone, and is fun to watch, and he's really just one piece that makes up a good supporting cast, along with Samuel L. Jackson, who is given more depth and given more to do.

But do the main cast members fare well? Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Evans and Johansson have great chemistry together, they do well together, and you feel the connection between the two. Mackie is a welcome addition to this franchise, a good newcomer that is also a cool superhero to watch because it is always fun to watch people fly. Sebastian Stan doesn't have much to do for dialogue, but his character is interesting to watch and cool to look at. His character arc does go somewhere, and he is intriguing to watch. The movie delivers a clever twist that actually does manage to make sense and even connects with other films of this universe. The action and the effects are really good and show the filmmakers know what they're doing. The movie has a level of suspense but also a level of fun, a hearken back to the old days of thrillers with an exceptional cast and exceptional values that make for a really good movie. Go see it before it's out of theaters. Hail Hydra.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Avengers.

Review #312: The Avengers.

Cast
Robert Downey, Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton/Hawkeye), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Clark Gregg (Phil Coulson), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Stellan Skarsgård (Erik Selvig), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts), and Paul Bettany (J.A.R.V.I.S.) Directed by Josh Whedon.

Review
Another year, another end. Today is the 2nd Anniversary of Movie Night's first review, back in December 20, 2012 (Terminator 2: Judgment Day), so to end Season 2, I decided to review this film. (that and to appease some requests) So how is this film? I'll tell you this much: It's a load of fun. This is a new level of fun in comic book movies, one not seen possibly ever before. It succesfully uses the Avengers and keeps (or creates) their personalities intact. You'd think that with many heroes, there'd be at least one character who'd be overshadowed. Not here. It knows when to take a breather and when to have fun with itself, especially my favorite line: "Hulk, smash" The acting is fun, with Ruffalo standing out. Oddly this is my first film review with Banner/Hulk (And from what I've heard the less said aboiut the '03 Hulk, the better.), and he does a good job. For some reason, I feel inclined to say that my favorite hero in this film is Captain America. The action is a load of fun (Redundant word much?), defining itself and keeping intrest. It lives up to the hype and more, with a script that knows its bounds, raising the bar for any team up of superheroes, and it makes you eager for more. Much, much more, which is good. Happy 2 years of Movie Night, and thank you to anyone who happens to read this. I hope for more years to come (Unless that 2012 thing comes true (it won't, but gotta please the oddballs sometimes), in that case it's great to end on the Avengers.), and thank you.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.