Going into this film, all the reviews compared this film to The Avengers. All reviews pretty much claiming ‘Winter Soldier’ to be at least on par if not better than Avengers. Now, Avengers was never this cinematic masterpiece, but the film did make this magical first viewing seeing all the heroes finally team up and deliver entertainment on a scale Winter Soldier didn’t quite match. Could Winter Soldier actually be a better film? Probably, but ultimately i rate my films based on how much i enjoyed them, so I can’t put Winter Soldier above Avengers along with everyone else. That said, this was probably the most intense Marvel film. The action was great. You could really see/feel the impacts in every hit Captain America & the “Winter Soldier” deliver. I try to keep my mouth shut during movies, but even one part of the action got me saying “oooh shiit” out loud.
Unfortunately i found the plot and twists predictable. I guessed them before even going into the theater (which is something i have to give Ironman 3 credit for, did not see that film’s twist coming, even though it was terrible). Also I was hoping after seeing all the trailers and promotional clips/posters i’d be used to Black Widow’s straightened hair. Not the case, I was staring at her hair every scene she was in (preferred the curls/waves). Her hair didn’t even make sense when in one scene where Black Widow is drying her hair at Falcons place, her hair is naturally not straight, yet after her hair is straight, but as my friend pointed out, how did she get a hold of a hair iron in a black man’s (with very short hair) home? Maybe I just pay too much attention to hair.
Probably just the hint of feminist somewhere deep down in me talking, but I give them some credit for keeping the obvious Black Widow ass shots to just one shot in the film (curious to see how DC handles this with Wonder Woman).
Nit picking aside, this film although fitting in nicely with the other marvel films, it also stands out in a slightly more serious tone that suits Captain America. The Russo brothers (known for their work on Community) did a fantastic job with this film, and even provided a little Community wink somewhere. Also, Marvel hasn’t had the best roster of on-screen villains, but the “Winter Soldier” definitely stands out as one of their very few great ones. I’m one of the few that actually liked the first Captain America film, and knew the sequel could be even better being set in present time. I still underestimated how good the sequel was going to be.
As always stay for the mid-credits scene for a great cameo, and then if you want, stick around for the lamest after-credits scene Marvel has put out to date.

I give Captain America: The Winter Soldier an 8.5 out of 10

(Score based on school grading in which 10-5 mean A-F, and 5-0 lets you know how badly it failed, just to rub it in)