Cast: Chris Evans as Captain America / Steve Rogers
Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter
Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips
Hugo Weaving as Johann Schmidt / Red Skull
Stanley Tucci as Dr. Abraham Erskine
Rated PG-13
*The following may contain spoilers*
Here we are; the final movie before The Avengers. As a stereotypical nerd boy, Captain America is quite the milestone for me. But, not just as a springboard for the greatest superhero movie ever. No, Old Cap returning to theaters is a big step for a lot of reasons.
See, Captain America is kind of the Superman of the Marvel universe, a Superman without powers. Cap was introduced simply to boost the American morale. He was supposed to be the American hero that everyone wanted 9hence the name). He was the ordinary guy that could save the world.
Captain America was first brought to life in the 1940’s in the middle of World War II. Steve Rogers was just an American kid; scrawny and weak, yet he never ran from a fight. Despite his size, Steve was courageous and brave and wanted nothing more than to serve his country. According to the movie, Steve tried and failed to get into the army five times before one Dr. Abraham Erskine discovered him. Dr. Erskine was a scientist who had the idea for a formula that would amplify every characteristic of the human body; cells, muscles, heart rate, metabolism, everything was amplified… including your basic human characteristics. This is why Steve was chosen. The man who always lost, but never ran. The man who did not accept defeat and whose patriotism never faltered. Steve Rogers became the patriot with a shield that America needed. He became Captain America.
What I Liked:
Captain America was just an amazing movie. From the graphics to comic homage to the sheer wit in some of the lines, Marvel did everything perfectly. Originally, I had my doubts about it being set in the 1940’s as I wasn’t really sure how they would make the transition, but they pulled it off beautifully.
As I said, there was a lot of tribute paid to the comics, and that’s always really nice to see. Much like the original comics in the 40’s, the movie focused on Stan Lee’s created villain Hydra. Hydra represents a big villain element in most of the Marvel comic worlds and it makes sense that they may show up in The Avengers; if not in the upcoming one, then very soon. The point of this tangent is that Hydra was handled very well. Like in the comics, Hydra uses very advanced technology that takes you out of the era. Despite being in the past, the technology used makes you feel like you’re watching a comic book and that’s really a fun thing to experience. Especially since all of the technology is purposefully campy with a very 40’s comedy style.
It also helps take away from the dark element of World War II, which is what Cap’s creators always intended to do. He was made to lift the spirits of the country, not depress them with seriousness and the movie handles this very well. Despite the serious threat that Hydra presented, you can’t help but have fun on Cap’s adventure.
It also helps take away from the dark element of World War II, which is what Cap’s creators always intended to do. He was made to lift the spirits of the country, not depress them with seriousness and the movie handles this very well. Despite the serious threat that Hydra presented, you can’t help but have fun on Cap’s adventure.
Marvel always does a great job of tying their movies together, especially in this giant launching pad they’re building. And Captain America was no exception. Since this particular chapter was set in the past, the references were fewer but they still got them in there. My personal favorite was getting to see Mr. Howard Stark (Tony Stark/Iron Man’s dad) in action. Showcasing all of the charm, wit and suave audiences have come to expect from the Stark family, it was easy to see where Tony got it.
I also really loved the (SPOILER ALERT) plot immersion of the Cosmic Cube, last seen in Thor. Despite its inclusion in the hidden cut scene after Thor’s credits, I wasn’t completely sure how prominent a part it would play in The Avengers. Captain America confirmed that it will be a crucial element and, just from what we saw in the last two movies, Joss the Boss’ possibilities with it are endless.
Another personal favorite is the now standard way that Marvel pokes fun at itself, particularly their original costumes. Captain America was no different, using his original costume to promote sales of war bonds. It’s just tiny details like these that satisfy the nerd in me.
What I Didn’t Like:
Much like Harry Potter, there was nothing in Captain America that I couldn’t look past.
However, that will not stop me from whining about them in this section.
I mentioned above that Cap sells war bonds in the movie. That’s fine and good, provides comic relief and all that, but it went on for 20 minutes. I was over it in about five. Let’s go kill some Nazi’s already!
Also, there was a general feeling of hurriedness in the middle, particularly in a montage of Cap blowing up Hydra bases and I would have just liked to have spent a little more time on that.
Finally, I almost wish that they had started the whole thing differently. Without giving anything major away, the beginning kind of sets up that Cap will not have a happy ending. And, even though I knew how Cap made it to the present, I would have liked a surprise element, and I’m sure the non-obsessed people of the world would have too. It also would have made the ending a lot more tense and suspenseful which never hurts.
Final Thoughts:
Captain America was incredible. Touching on every point that made Iron Man great, Marvel has hit their stride. Captain America was amazing on its own, but as a springboard tie-in, it was mind-blowing. Chris Evans makes a fantastic Captain and he will make a fine addition to the team. However, no matter how great these movies get, I can’t help just wanting moreTony Stark. Hurry up, 2012. I’m ready to assemble.
When Should You See It?
If you're into the Marvel movies at all, go see this immediately. It's beautiful.
If you're not, well then it's pretty good for a weekend outing.
Personal Rating: 8 of 10
Plot: 8 of 10
Drugs/Alcohol: 1 of 10
Steve and his friends go to a bar and are shown drinking beer. Steve once attempts to get drunk but reveals that, thanks to the serum, he cannot.
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