This version has all the elements of a good hero story: a just cause (World War II), a likable hero in Captain America, a really evil villain in Red Skull, and a cute girl.
Chris Evans, who plays Captain America/Steve Rogers, is not new to the superhero genre as he played Johnny Storm/Human Torch in the Fantastic Four series. Evans is a great casting choice because he’s both good looking and a believable good guy.
The storyline starts as WW II is in full swing. Rogers is scrawny, sickly man who wants to enlist in the Army to do his part, but he’s rejected many times. On one more attempt, Rodger catches the eyes of Dr. Erskine, a former German scientist played wonderfully by Stanley Tucci. He gets Rogers into the Army to the take part in the super-solider experiment.
Meanwhile, a Nazi officer, Schmidt, leading a covert group called Hydra, is plotting against the world behind Hitler’s back. Schmidt, played by Hugo Weaving, is in possession of an ultra-blue ray gun that can dissolve matter.
Schmidt was the first person to be injected by Dr. Erskine with the serum for the super-solider program, but the experiment went wrong, turning him into the Red Skull.
Captain America: The First Avenger takes its time to tell the story of how Captain America goes from a wartime figure representing war bonds to a full avenger. The storyline starts in the 1940s. The movie set design and props make you feel like you’re transported back to the 40s. Special effects were top-notch as everything seems so real.
Hollywood buzz has it that Captain America’s uniform was a thorn in the side of those bringing the story to the big screen. But the uniform design was very cool and looked appropriate. The shield was awesome.
In every superhero movie there is a love interest, and Captain America’s is Peggy Carter, played by actress Hayley Atwell. She is very good and strong and didn’t play a caricature of a damsel in distress.
The movie boasts a great supporting cast with Tucci, Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips, Neil McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan, and Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Tony’s father.
Superhero movie dialogue is always corny, but Captain America has great comedic lines. One example: Captain America is about to leap onto something, leans down to kiss Peggy, then looks at the Colonel who says “I am not going to kiss you.”
Captain America: The First Avenger was fun with great humor, lots of great action and a good storyline. There is a reason to stay after the credits, as footage from next summer’s Avengers movie is shown. Captain America: The First Avenger will make you feel good about being in a seat at the theater.
Edited by Michele Ristich Gatts
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