CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
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CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
Reviewed by John Delia and Marisa Ings
Cast: Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell, Hugo Wearing and Stanley Tucci
Directed by: Joe Johnson
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comic Book
Running Time: 2hr 5min
Opening Date: July 22, 2011
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Not what we expected, but Captain America: The First Avenger pours on the adventure in style. We’re not huge comic book fans and know little about this super hero yet for us, that’s a good thing. If you like your action with a good back-story, then this one should fuel your engine.
Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) has been trying to join the military to help his country fight the Nazis in Europe, but he keeps getting rejected because of his size. Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), a scientist, has developed a super soldier serum and quite by accident finds Steve Rogers a perfect subject. Steve volunteers to participate in the experimental program and it turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. But Rogers finds himself being a recruiter for the Army instead of a fighter. When the evil HYDRA organization led by the Red Skull (Hugo Wearing) takes over the Nazi crusade with special weapons, Captain America steps up to meet the challenge.
John Says: The story reminds me of the adventures of Indiana Jones where the main character finds himself cornered only to escape certain death. I like the concept with Captain America and why the writers created the character from a puny guy to a hulk of a fighter. Not so much like the other Avengers (Thor, Iron Man, etc) this character is humble about his abilities to fight and conquer. The fight against evil here gives the film a good adversary making Captain America’s heroisms exciting.
John Says: The computer graphics play a huge part in the production of the film and in most cases come across with a WOW factor. There is plenty of action created by the huge blaster tanks, high-powered ray guns, Red Skull’s blazing car, special ‘gyrocopter’ and may other things to dazzle the action hound’s brain. The winged airplane was a total treat with a battle that overshadows most Iron Man sequences.
Marisa Says: I agree with John, The graphics in this movie are fantastic! Director Joe Johnston utilized 3D technology well. In fact, because of the 3D action in a plane scene where Captain America is battling his arch nemesis, I swear I started feeling motion sick as if I was actually experiencing turbulence in mid air with them!
Marisa Says: In addition to action and the transition from Steve to Captain, loads of other elements occur in this storyline including the depiction the Captain America figure being used as war propaganda, love, and even the revelation of another Avenger. There is plenty to like about this movie and I imagine it must be difficult to combine an iconic super hero and one of the most noted eras in history but the makers of Captain America: The First Avenger pulled it off with grandeur.
John Says: Director Joe Johnson (Jumanji) does a terrific job of creating the period piece not only with an amazing set, but make-up and costumes for his cast. Hayley Atwell’s portrayal of the tough WAC Peggy Carter stands out in her WWII apparel, hot red lips and long black lashes dating her into the strong hearted women soldiers of the time. I liked the way he deals with the whole Army sequence and relates to the war films of old.
John Says: The film is not perfect as I found myself trying to fit Chris into my mind as a skinny little runt. I am amazed on how they computerized his character, but something just didn’t feel right much like what bothered me with Benjamin Button (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and his body change. But it’s easy to get past this and I found myself right in the middle of the action as the film progressed ‘knowing’ that Chris became the hulk that he is meant to be.
Marisa Says: I definitely agree, the one qualm I experienced occurs in the first few minutes while watching the frail Steve Rogers (pre serum injection) he just doesn’t come across well. I felt as if his head was not proportionate to his CGI attached body. (It’s true, very reminiscent of Benjamin Button with the exception that Button’s body was bearable)
Marisa Says: According to IMDb.com over 1,300 people worked on this film and trust me people their efforts paid off! The effects, acting, setting, music and 1940s costuming elements are brought together to create the total movie experience and gives the First Avenger the bang he deserves.
This chapter in the Avengers finally puts all the back stories in line for the grand finale when Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Thor, Hawkeye, The Incredible Hulk, Nick Fury get together in an estimated $150 million production for one explosive time.
Captain America: The First Avenger is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, nothing that most mature pre-teens cannot handle. The film is available in 3D.
John Says: FINAL ANAYLSIS: A memorable ‘BLAST’ of the past. (B)
Marisa Says: FINAL GRADE (A)
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