Known for playing Human Torch in “The Fantastic Four,” Chris Evans tackles on another superhero to his growing resume – this time as “Captain America.” Is the film good or just another big budget superhero flop? J.P. has your review.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
Starring: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, and Stanley Tucci
Directed By: Joe Johnston
URL: http://captainamerica.marvel.com/
Studio Synopsis:
We’ve all grown up with CAPTAIN AMERICA … and now he is finally here! The arrival of Captain America, the First Avenger, is an epic mark in comic book film history and should be celebrated across the nation!
“Captain America: The First Avenger” will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) to wage war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving.)
One of a continuing slate of films being produced by Marvel Studios based on the Marvel characters, “Captain America: The First Avenger” joins “Thor” on May 6, 2011 and “The Avengers” on May 4, 2012.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JerVrbLldXw[/youtube]
J.P.’s Take:
One of the oldest comic book heroes “Captain America” explodes on screen with a 3D face lift.
You’ve heard the saying “these colors don’t run” before, referring to the colors of the American flag. Captain America was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in the early 40’s, which was the intent of Marvel comics to produce patriotic subject matter to boost moral of U.S. citizens and soldiers during the Second World War. The character became a symbol of American strength and courage, as the threat of the Nazi regime loomed over many countries at the time. This newly revised film provides the same pulp fiction nostalgia with a wholesome feel. Though I’ve mentioned many times over that all super hero movies are created the same, what I really meant was in terms of general structure. We are bombarded with a slough of comic adaptations that never quite take off, mostly because many of them are basically concerned with the gimmicky WOW! factor. Some actually bring a unique spin to the genre with the likes of “Spider-Man,” “Iron Man,” “Dark Knight” and “The Incredible Hulk,” which I thought were excellent.
Amidst movies riddled with nonsensical story lines and unnecessary battles, “Captain America” sets the bar much higher as an example of how hero movies should be done. Marvel has got the definition of “super hero” right this time; not falling into the same trappings of presenting the character as nothing but a costumed freak show, with nothing of importance to do or say. What many comic book movies also lack these days is a sense of emotional balance and weight, which is needed to propel a story to a worthy end. Again, what sets “Captain” apart from the rest is that it actually takes the time to tell a real story. We witness the life of a scrawny kid from Brooklyn named Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). The able minded young man decides to join the Army, yet in his current condition and smaller size there is no way he’ll be accepted into the armed forces. Rogers, on the other hand, displays a kind of vigor for his age and doesn’t give in when faced with adversity. Not only is he beat up on a daily basis by bullies, he is also rejected by his peers and the Army. His only true friend is James “Bucky” Buchanan Barnes (Sebastian Stan), who supports him in his efforts and doesn’t leave his side. But what Steve Roger’s doesn’t realize just yet is that he’s about to become the greatest super hero the U.S.A. has ever known.
Since “The First Avenger” is a film about his origins, it gets right to the heart of the character. Rogers’s life story isn’t told in a series of flashbacks nor is it done montage style. Instead the film chronicles his daily struggles as well as the triumphs soon to emerge, allowing it to build up to something of worth. However a brief montage of many battles the Captain and his team venture out on keeps the film from becoming a huge battle scene. That’s a plus in my book. As we peer further into his life, the audience becomes better acquainted with him, which leads to viewers routing him on in the long run.
I credit director Joe Johnston with crew for paying close attention to detail in creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the 40’s. “CA” is complete with wholesome characters and costumes straight out of the era. Posters of war time propaganda even plaster the walls. You’ll find the environments are very natural and look as though they were straight out the comic books. As a whole, the film isn’t loud or frenetic, nor is the screen blurred with jumbled effects. I loved the spacious feel and the 3D wasn’t half bad either.
Part of what makes this movie work is the nicely casted group of actors/actresses, who all do a fantastic job of fleshing out their roles. Chris Evan can certainly fit into the Captain’s outfit because of his all-American good looks. I liked his understated down to Earth approach, which allows his vulnerabilities to show naturally. His comedic timing also comes out in just the right way.
Hayley Atwell sparks some attention living up to her role as the elegant, well trained Agent Peggy Carter from Britain’s MI6 division. Agent Carter may look like a 40’s pin-up girl, however, she can hold her own along side the male characters that can fire a gun and never back down from a fight. Where most women in movies like this whimper, waiting for their knight in shining armor to come rescue them, Agent Carter takes care of business — punching and shooting her way to freedom.
Tommy Lee Jones offers his trademark back handed sly wit like only he can as the grizzled Colonel Chester Phillips, while Hugo Weaving seems to excel at playing evil villains (“Matrix”, “Lord of the Rings,” “V for Vendetta”). As Johann Schmidt (a.k.a. Red Skull), Weaving dons a German accent and fiendish disposition for world domination.
Supporting rolls come from Sebastian Stan as Bucky Jones, Steve Roger’s best friend, and the prolific Stanley Tucci sporting a German accent as Dr. Abraham Erskine, who created the super soldier serum that spawned Captain America. We also see the beginnings of the Stark family Industries with the introduction of the founder and future father of “Iron Man’s” Tony Stark, Howard Stark played by Dominic Cooper.
As part of Captain America’s squad of commandos, Derek Luke plays Gabriel “Gabe” Jones (there is an interesting history behind the character of Gabe Jones, which I think people should look up); Neal McDonough plays Dum Dum Dugan (another important character in the Marvel world); Kenneth Choi as Jim Morita; J.J. Field as James Montgomery Falsworth; and Bruno Ricci as Jacques Dernier.
The only real disappointment came at the end of the credits ~ we didn’t catch a glimpse into the next film, “The Avengers,” which the preview audience I saw the film with were expecting as well. All we were left with was the name tag for the new film. But, I figured as much because it won’t be out until 2012. I hate to say it, but unlike “Green Lantern,” “Captain America” is the type of well made hero movies I’m willing to see for the second or even a third time.