Steve Rogers is a 90 pound weakling with
medical problems. He wants to be part of the war effort on the front against
the Nazis. He is chosen to be apart of a medical experiment that will turn
him into a super soldier. He is soon on a collision course with the
Red Skull and Hydra who plan to destroy cities with unimagined power that they have discovered in Norway.
Director Joe Johnston directs the best
of the recent Marvel Universe films. It manages to bring in characters
and elements from previous films like Howard Stark (Tony Stark's dad), the cosmic cube, and Nick Fury. CAPTAIN AMERICA manages to be faithful to the material by pulling in several different elements like
how Steve Rogers become a super soldier known as Captain America, the Red Skull, Hydra (cut one head off and two will take
its place), and the Cosmic Cube (first glimpsed at the end of THOR). A
trailer for THE AVENGERS (from director Joss Whedon) is placed at the end of the credits (it looks like a ride as good or
better than CAPTAIN AMERICA).
I like how the story of Cap being used to sell war bonds and being a star in movies to how he finally gets involved
in World War II. Hugo Weaving grabs the audience with another character
performance that people will remember alongside Elrond, Mr. Smith, and V. Chris Evans continues to be likeable with each action role he plays and brings real
humanity to it whether it is Steve Rogers or the Human Torch.
The movie sets up and effective origin
story while also delivering a climax better than the two IRON MAN films and THOR combined.
Marvel Comics fans will recognize Bucky Barnes (Steve's best friend) and Dum Dum Duggan (who isn't mentioned by name
and yet I recognized what character he was). Tommy Lee Jones is very
gruff and likeable as an Army Colonel. CAPTAIN AMERICA
is like a World War II film with RADIERS OF THE LOST ARK type elements. This
film may become another classic like THE ROCKETEER (which Joe Johnston also directed from material from a comic book). My only complaint about the film is we don't see enough about how dangerous
Hydra (the secret Nazi science division) is where we mostly see Captain America
stomp right in with his Howling Commandos. You see the Red Skull as a very
dangerous man who manages to inflict pain and yet Hydra is like second fiddle to him with their blind devotion (I hope they
find a way to bring in Baron Von Strucker for a future CAPTAIN AMERICA
film or even SHIELD film.
I enjoyed the action ride that CAPTAIN
AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER delivered. It echoes back to THE ROCKETEER. I think it will hold up on repeat viewings. if
you don't go see it in the theaters once or twice, please buy it on DVD or Blu-ray this Fall.
this movie review is (c)7-23-2011 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com
