Phil sees CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER in 2D at the Cinelux Plaza Theater in Campbell-April 5, 2014

Hello once again everybody! After my SoCal trip, I decided to take a break until the next big movie release. Of course that only last a week because on Friday, the release of Marvel Studio's CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER came out! OK this is a big deal and I'm gonna see this one! So I along with my friends Alison and Craig headed on over to the Cinelux Theater in Campbell to see this latest installment in the Marvel Cinema Universe.

The film's official synopsis: After the cataclysmic in New York with The Avengers, the film finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (Chris Evans), living quietly in Washington D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web in intrigue that threaten to put the world at risk. Joining forces with Natasha Romanoff aka the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off assailants sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy - the Winter Soldier.

While watching the film, my mind was remembering George Orwell's novel 1984, in it he warned us that Big Brother is watching us. Well, Big Brother was watching us, and he was making huge weapons of mass destruction. This thought occurred when Sgt. Fury (once again by Samuel L. Jackson) was showing Steve the newest weapons from S.H.I.E.L.D. The best line came from Steve when he said, "This isn't freedom. This is fear." This is a horrifying and sobering thought to process while watching a comic book movie sequel.

The film is a throwback to the 1970's spy and espionage films from America and from Great Britain. James Bond films, In Like Flint, All the President's Men are just a few that stand out in my mind. Kudos goes to screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely for writing such a thrilling and compelling script, fleshing out all the major characters (especially Steve and Natasha), creating new villains like the Winter Soilder (Sebastian Stan), all new characters like Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford) and Sam Wilson aka the Falcon (Anthony Mackie). Plus the story is filled with a lot of twist and turns and surprises that totally caught me off guard. And this is what I look for in a sequel: does it take all the main characters to the next level? Am I being entertained? Is it a worthy entry to the overall franchise? I say a thundering "Yes!" to all three on my criteria.

Chris Evens once again as the Cap does an impeccable job with adding more depth and humanity to his character while still kicking major ass. His on-screen chemistry with Johansson is fantastic and they play off one another very well in the movie. Of course it also helps that they're also good friends in real life. Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury is bad ass as always, but Robert Redford's acting is top notch!! He proves once again that he can take any role and make his own. And he takes the Alexander Pierce character and he not only runs with it, but scores a major touchdown! Phenomenal acting on the part of Redford!!

Stepping in the director's chair are brothers Joe and Anthony Russo. These two have directed other films like WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD and YOU, ME, AND DUPREE plus episodes of televisions shows like Happy Endings and Community. They did such a great job directing this film, that they've already been assigned to direct the next sequel.

Overall CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER is a solid, entertaining and thrilling blockbuster!! This is the film that all the other Marvel films will be judged by! This is the milestone in the Marvel Cinema Universe! Go see this movie today!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!! 

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER is currently playing in both 2-D and 3-D in theaters nationwide, including at the Cinelux Theaters here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cineluxtheatres.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!