Captain America: The First Avenger Movie Review

Movie Review

America has entered World War II but puny patriot Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) still can’t enlist because of his many ailments.  However, after military scientist Erskine (Stanley Tucci) spies Rogers’ inner strength he’s inducted into a secret programme and injected with a serum that gives him uncanny speed and strength.  When Nazi scientist Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) discovers a powerful artefact that can help him take over the world, Rogers must take the mantle of the nation’s first super-soldier and become Captain America to stop him.

Captain America is a period piece, which is a departure for Marvel, with modern day scenes bookending the film.  Director Joe Johnston (The Rocketeer/ Jurassic Park III) knows how to bring the World War 2 setting to life and the film looks breath-taking, even in 3D.  The effects, for the most part, are stunning with the pre- serum Chris Evans looking extremely feeble and skinny; I can’t wait to find out how this was done.  The costume is brought up to date too. It’s not exactly the tights that Captain America wore in the comics although there is an homage to that costume as well.

The action, when it happens, is exciting and inventive with the Captains shield being used to entertaining effect.  While the main character is fully developed, the villain is extremely underdeveloped with Hugo Weaving being reduced to moustache twirling villainy with his motivation and a back story that’s barely visible.   The love story has genuine heart and understated passion with newcomer Hayley Atwell coming up trumps. We’ll hopefully be seeing a lot of her in the future.

Chris Evans is stellar in this, giving Steve Rogers real heart and humanity even before he gets strong and kicks Nazi butt.  Evans was born to play this role and you can forget about his cocksure portrayal of the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four movies as this is so much better than that.  It’s a sign of an actor growing when they can take a character like this that has been around for 70 years and make it their own.

The film is also peppered with great supporting actors like Tommy Lee Jones who has some great comedy moments. Dominic Cooper plays Tony Stark’s father with the same womanising swagger that Downey Jr. brought to his role.  Stanley Tucci always brings his A game and doesn’t disappoint here while newcomer Sebastian Stan gives ‘Bucky’ Barnes a superb sense of hero daring-do and brotherly affection for Steve to the lesser role.

Marvel Studios really have their heads screwed on right, other than the slight mis-step of Iron Man 2; they have been solidly introducing the members of the Avengers in interesting ways.  Both telling their own original stories while also elaborating on the mythology of the universe which sets up the superhero mash up due out next May.  They also know how to walk that fine line between action, romance and humour throughout their flicks which is commendable considering the varied writers of their films.

The 3D is decent enough although not entirely necessary. As in Thor it gave depth and when the star spangled shield gets thrown around it looks sweet in the third dimension.  What this film does, to great effect, is put the final jigsaw piece in place before the Avengers movie. Also, stay till the after the end credits for a teaser trailer from that very movie!!

‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ is in cinemas now.