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Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) | Review written by Walter Banasiak

Captain America is one of Marvel Comics’ oldest characters. Making his debut in March of 1941, Captain America has been fighting on behalf of the American way for 70 years. Through all that time we have only seen one solo cartoon series, an obscure 1944 serial film that disregards the comic book origins, a couple of poorly received TV movies and a direct to video film from 1990 starring Matt Salinger as the titular character. That film merely had a limited international theatrical release and took two extra years to finally be found on VHS in the US.

In short, Captain America’s history on film and television is very limited when compared to other comic book superheroes like Spider-Man and Batman. Captain America: The First Avenger joins Thor and Green Lantern as the first major motion picture for each character all debuting in the summer of 2011.

Synopsis

Captain America: The First Avenger depicts a scrawny young man from Brooklyn, New York  named Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) trying to gain access to the United States Armed Forces during the Second World War in 1942.

Rogers is repeatedly turned away for having too many health issues and is considered a sickly young man. After many failed attempts Rogers and friend James “Bucky” Barnes (Sebastian Stan) attend the Modern Marvels of Tomorrow exhibition headed by Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper). Bucky has recently been drafted into the army and before they leave the expo Rogers decides to make one last effort to volunteer for the service. Upon his health inspection, Rogers catches the eye of Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci). While looking at Rogers’ record of failed recruitment endeavors Dr. Erskine talks with him and grants him access to the armed forces because he believes Rogers is a good candidate for the super-soldier experiment.

He is sent to a training ground with many other potential candidates and while there meets Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) and British Strategic Scientific Reserve officer Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Rogers is chosen for the experiment and the procedure is successful, turning skinny Steve Rogers into Captain America, the peak of physical human perfection. After a propaganda laden run selling War Bonds across the nation as Rogers’ colorfully outfitted alter ego, he is once again taken seriously when he proves himself as an able soldier overseas.

Throughout all this, the Nazis’ deep science division, lead by Johann Von Schmidt aka Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) has harnessed a mysterious energy source that gives their weapons a huge edge over any of their enemies. Red Skull has his own private army called HYDRA that exclusively carries out his dirty deeds. The conflict picks up when Captain America and a special team take on the task of destroying all of HYDRA’s bases before Red Skull’s sinister plot is realized. Make sure to stay after the credits for a very special treat that any fan of these Marvel crossover movies will thoroughly enjoy.

The Good

Marvel Studios has hit the bull’s-eye with “Captain America: The First Avenger.” You are going to have to try really hard to not like this movie. There is something for everyone here and the film’s charm shines through just as much as Captain America’s shield in the sun. The cast is fantastic while fitting perfectly in their respective roles.

This could very well be a superstar making turn for Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America. Evans plays Rogers with such sincere honesty; it would be difficult for even the most cynical critic to not root for him the entire way through the picture. Evans has been type cast as the smart aleck for almost his whole career and this proves to the mainstream that he has a lot of range as an actor. Some will remember his involvement in the Fantastic Four films playing Johnny Storm/Human Torch. That is quickly forgotten as this movie begins. From here on out, Chris Evans will be remembered as Captain America.

The film’s special effects team did an amazing job with the skinny version of Steve Rogers before he is given the super-soldier serum. An effect that is extremely complex and involves shrinking down Chris Evan’s body digitally, but it works great in the film. Only in a few scenes and very slightly does it look a bit odd. The Captain America combat suit and shield look incredible up on the big screen as well. The suit is believable enough for a soldier and the shield being thrown by Captain America is a sight to behold.

Hugo Weaving portrays the Red Skull and is the perfect foil to Steve Rogers. To be honest, this was expected. Weaving has established himself as a major villain in other big name franchises such as “The Matrix” and he continues his fine work here. Whenever the Red Skull is on screen, Weaving makes sure the audience is never bored. Also, a huge amount of credit goes to the makeup team for Red Skull’s appearance. Seeing him in the film looks uncanny and they could not have made him look much better.

The character of James “Bucky” Barnes is done justice by Sebastian Stan. While this version of Bucky differs from the comics, he fills his role perfectly in Steve Rogers’s life as his childhood best friend. The chemistry of Evans and Stan jumps off the screen. This relationship is very much the foundation the rest of the film is laid upon. Stan gives Bucky a subtle edge that provides realism to his friendship with Rogers.

Hayley Atwell plays Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers’ love interest and superior officer. Atwell owns the role and also has strong chemistry with Chris Evans. She makes the viewer care about her character and her relationship with Rogers, which is developed very well as the movie progresses. Atwell really made that role feel important while in a situation where many other actresses would have been overshadowed by the Steve Rogers character. She is a personality that is certainty not forgotten by the end of the movie.

Tommy Lee Jones is placed flawlessly into the role of Colonel Chester Phillips. Jones’ usual no-nonsense persona is intact as this character while filling his place in the story without issue. He is a great source of both seriousness and well timed comedy when needed. That balance of comedy, drama and action make this movie even better and more fun to watch. It does not take itself too seriously, but knows when to seize a more stern tone when it has to.

Director Joe Johnston deserves kudos for accomplishing this feat without a hitch.

Stanley Tucci’s small part as Dr. Abraham Erskine presents the role of mentor to young Steve Rogers before he is confirmed as the choice for the super-soldier experiment. Tucci seemed very comfortable in his position as the good doctor. Erskine gives the film its moral fiber that lasts throughout.

Howard Stark, depicted by Dominic Cooper, is a significant key to the larger Marvel movie universe as he is the father of Tony Stark or Iron Man as he is better known by. Seeing the similarities between father and son was a fun little distraction. Cooper is fine as the elder Stark, but it felt like he had an impossible undertaking to live up to with Robert Downey Jr. playing the younger Stark to near perfection in the Iron Man films. It is very hard to avoid comparing the two. They are the main connecting line between the past and present of this Marvel universe and that in itself is another aspect done great here.

The continuity involving all the buildup to The Avengers movie next summer has been spectacular. Just from obvious things like the Starks to more miniscule details like quick dialogue alluding to Captain America in “The Incredible Hulk.” It will be interesting to see if all of this time and effort on the part of Marvel Studios pays off with The Avengers next May.

A genius act by the filmmakers during the movie sees Steve Rogers don the Captain America persona in an effort to sell War Bonds. This turns Captain America into a propaganda machine that leads to him replacing Uncle Sam on the “I Want You!” recruitment posters, his own stage shows, films and even comic books! Yes, the original Captain America comic book from March 1941 makes an appearance in the film and yes, it is glorious. We also are able to see a version of Captain America’s original comic book costume when he performs his shows before donning the more appropriate battle attire later in the film.

The cinematography produced here is also above average and extraordinary at some points.

The remarkable 1940’s era buildings and sets really add to the feel of the film too. The scenery fits right in place along with all the other attributes of this motion picture. Alan Silvestri’s very appropriate and impactful score is yet another piece of the puzzle that makes the theatrical experience even bigger and broader. The modern reveal at the end of the film is also cleverly overwhelming and shot masterfully. Needless to say, there is a lot to like about Captain America: The First Avenger.

The Bad
While this movie has some astonishing high points, it is not without its fair share of faults.

Once Steve Rogers is given his new combat Captain America suit, it is debuted very quickly without any real fanfare. This was the point to really build up the new suit, but it was not handled with the importance it deserved and the film barely acknowledges it while moving right along.

The Peggy Carter character had at least one questionable situation surrounding her. There is a scene where she is charging in battle, guns blazing with the rest of the soldiers who are all wearing standard issue helmets with the full uniform. She is right there with them looking very glamorous, hair flowing out while men around her die. That just seemed a bit reckless and out of character for her.

The supernatural cosmic cube that Red Skull forms into a weapons source for HYDRA is very inconsistent. Its power is shown early in the film as being able to completely disintegrate an entire human body. However, when shot at Captain America, it is much less powerful. Sure, he is supposed to have enhanced strength and endurance, but when that same power is shown vaporizing a man whole, another explanation should have been given besides the blasts just bouncing off Captain America’s shield.

Someone should have also put in the script for him to at least meet Hitler face to face somehow. Not seeing that famous image of Captain America clocking Hitler in the face brought to life the right way here was a bit disappointing. The very ending of the movie is extremely sudden and sort of unsatisfying. In the long run, the lack of a good ending hurt the movie for me. They almost had it, but for such a fun ride throughout those two hours, a more solid conclusion should have been considered.

Conclusion   

Captain America: The First Avenger did what it set out to do and more. It definitely met my expectations and exceeded them in some areas. It is not a perfect film and could have easily fixed a few problems that would have made it even better. With that said, this is the Captain America movie I always wanted. It is one that respects the character and source material, as well as being creatively innovative enough to stand out on its own as a solid interpretation. Captain America sometimes unfairly gets a bad rap for being a misguided snapshot of an era long gone by. Hopefully this film changes those people’s mind. It is a thrill ride in theaters that can easily make the average moviegoer care about everyone onscreen while making you laugh, smile and proud to be an American.

Rating Code: 

CODE 8

"Awesome"

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