Whether or not you enjoy “Captain America: the First Avenger” is going to depend greatly on how much you’ve accepted the worlds created in “Iron Man”, “The Incredible Hulk” and this summer’s “Thor“— because Captain America is the final piece of the puzzle that is going to bring them all together in next summer’s “The Avengers”.
Marvel has hit the mark again with casting. I was not big on Chris Evans playing Cap– mostly because I wasn’t a fan of The Fantastic 4 movies. But he is near perfect as Steve Rogers, the 98 pound weakling who becomes the first– and only– “Super Soldier”. The one thing about Captain America is he has to embody the innocence and will to do good no matter the odds. Evans nails it.
The nemesis here is Red Skull, played with the usual snarl of Hugo Weaving (Lord of the Rings, The Matrix). He wants to use a God-like weapon known as the ‘Cosmic Cube’ to create the most advanced weapons the world has ever known and of course rule the planet. If you saw Thor, this cube was seen in Odin’s room of really cool stuff. Also good in this movie is Dominic Cooper, who plays Howard Stark– Tony’s dad. He helps Cap with the costume and some gadgets and shows that the Tony apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
If you’re looking for a realistic war movie– this isn’t it. But director Joe Johnston (Rocketeer, Jurassic Park III) brings a believable 1940’s world that blends well with what we’ve been made to believe is possible in Iron Man and Thor. Sure there is a lot of things that are completely unbelievable– namely laser guns and video surveillance. The important thing is there is enough Captain America-shield-slinging action that it won’t matter. The movie is fun and sets up future plot possibilities with Cap sequels– not to mention what can happen now that Captain Rogers will be united with Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye in The Avengers.
Wait, if he’s from WWII how can he be around in present day?
You mean you don’t know? Watch the movie– and as for the “post-credits” scene that typically follows these movies. Iron Man 2 had the discovery of Thor’s Hammer, Thor showed his nemesis Loki getting a look at the Cosmic Cube. The one after Captain America however can not be missed. What begins as the typical post-credits scene with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the hero– quickly evolves into….
wait for it…
The Avengers teaser trailer…and It. Is. AWESOME.
8/10
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The theatrical trailer for Captain America: The First Avenger:
Photos and trailers are property of Paramount Studios