Captain America: The First Avenger Review

Overall Rating: B

Captain America: The First Avenger is the last of the Marvel movies leading up to next years long awaited epic, The Avengers. This movie is a great finale for the Pre-Avengers days, and an even better prequel to The Avengers. While watching Captain America you just want to smile, and love a hero that is simply that, a hero. There are no bells and whistles here. Captain America is basically Marvel's version of Superman. Except he's not an alien who never makes a mistake, and makes you want to gag with his "The More You Know" speeches. Steve Rogers is a regular dude, a regular dude who wants to fight for his country and protect people.

That stuff is not news though, here's the straight review. The acting is pretty good, and the characters were well developed, but what made me really enjoy this movie was how it looked, and sounded. I don't mean the 3D by the way. The 3D wasn't horrible, but it wasn't as good as I've seen recently. What I mean is the colors used, and the brightness of some scenes was so great. There have been a few movies this year that have been pretty dark toned. It was so nice to see a movie that was colorful, and vibrant. The other aspect I loved was the score. Alan Silvestri gives us a great epic theme for our Hero. Along with the score, there were a couple of 40's era musical numbers that made you want to dance right there in the theater. I didn't do this, but I think my foot was tapping.



Chris Evans does a very good job as Steve Rogers. A runt of a kid, turned god like man. Yes folks, that is Chris Evans' body as Captain America. Before he's changed he really does make you feel like if someone just gave him a chance he would shock them Rudy style. He gets beat up, and pushed around but never runs away or backs down because he figures eventually they'll get the point. After the change, his personality really doesn't change. He's still shy around women, but still wants to fight to protect people and stop the bullies. I liked a lot that they didn't have a scene of him running into his former bully friends, and teaching them a lesson. That would have been totally cliched, and would have taken away from who he really is. Captain America would never do that.

Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter is just as amazing looking, but unlike Evans she keeps on her clothes. She doesn't do a lot other than serve as a love interest for Rogers, but they do try and make it seem like she's important. The reason I didn't believe this as much is because in every other scene she's being questioned by superiors. The Captain's loyal sidekick from the comic is here too. Bucky is played by Sebastian Stan who looked so familiar to me. Turns out he was in the great, but failed NBC show Kings. For fans of the comic, Bucky doesn't live up to expectations, but it's okay.

 Also working for the good guys are Howard Stark(Dominic Cooper) who is Tony Stark's father, Dr. Erskine(Stanley Tucci), and Col. Philips(Tommy Lee Jones). I remember the last time Tommy Lee Jones was in a super hero movie, and this is a huge improvement. The villainous Red Skull is played by the wonderful Hugo Weaving. Admittedly, it was tough not to see Agent Smith, but I got over that fast.   Weaving does a great job portraying the insanity and evil of Red Skull, but I think that went away a little bit when you see him as the Red Skull. I'm not sure if it was the make up job, or the added CGI but it looked a little too cartoonish.

Some of the true stand out moments are the USO tour, which is filled with references to the comic book, and the history of the character. This montage sequence really was Marvel showing us how much they love this character. This also is a sequence that will just make you smile, and remember why you loved comics. If you never did love comics then maybe it'll make you wish you had. One great small moment occurs right after Rogers is transformed. There is an encounter between him, a bad guy and a little kid and the result is just gold. I won't spoil it, but there is a clear cliche moment coming, and they totally go the other direction. I want to point out that this movie is pretty violent. There are a lot of explosions, and a lot of people die. It's World War Two, and some soldiers are using crazy laser disintegration rifles.

Finally, I have to say that you must stay after the credits. You get a short scene, and then you get The Avengers trailer! I've been looking forward to that movie for years now, and it looks great. Joss Whedon is writing and directing it so you know it's going to be epic.

So all in all a very fun movie. See this movie, even if it's only to see Chris Evans' pecs in 3D. You will have a great time, I guarantee it!.