Captain America the First Avenger, Movie Review

In the next addition to the upcoming Avengers movie, slated for May 2010, a meek all American youth is transformed into the first ever Avenger i.e. Captain America. This Marvel Comics Hero was created back in the golden Age of comics books in the 1940’s by legends in the industry – Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who also helped Stan Lee create the likes of the Fantastic Four and the X-men. This is Marvel studio’s latest superhero flick after Thor and it looks like the team is finally starting to take shape.

Sticking to the original

Set in the time of World War II, our hero Captain America aka Steve Rogers, a puny little kid from Brooklyn is seen struggling to get into the US armed forces to defend the world against the Nazis. The CGI that’s used to make the burly physique of Chris Evans look like a short, skinny, one might even say undernourished individual is fantastic and flawless. Lola Visual Effects is also responsible for similar use of the tech in the Social Network to allow actor Armie Hammer to play the Winklevoss twins. Chris Evans does a great job as the World War II superhero and has come a long way in terms of physique from his role as Johnny Storm from the Fantastic Four, which is also a Marvel comic book adaptation. Lola Visual Effects would need to get back to work should the Avengers and the FF every cross paths. It’s a good thing Marvel is going with the Ultimate Avengers theme for this series so the chances of that happening are slim to none.

Evans manages to make a very good Captain America showcasing his talent as a serious actor who’s not just built like a brick wall. From the build to his boyish yet totally masculine voice, Captain America comes alive in a way that comic book fans will surely appreciate. I know I did. The role of Cap’s arch nemesis and head of what will become (spoiler alert) the biggest international terrorist organisation in the Marvel universe is played by Hugo Weaving. From V for Vendetta and of course Agent Smith from the Matrix Trilogies, Weaving does a great job as Johann Schmidt, the Red Skull. The special effects and make up used for his face will make every comic book fan smile as it stays true to the books and then some. As usual his super cool, unfaltering like demeanour shines through with darker undertones, in this case, even more than the diabolical Smith.

C'mon, bring it!!!

The movie is peppered with witty dialogues that, like the Iron Man movies, make for a very entertaining film. Tommy Lee Jones makes the very best of his part as the old school war horse Col. Chester Phillips. I was not too impressed with Hayley Atwell, who does quite a mediocre job of portraying a sexy yet hardened agent, Peggy Carter. Stanley Tucci brings mild amusement to his role as Dr. Abraham Erskine, the scientist responsible for “birthing” our intrepid hero. 

Director Joe Johnston who’s got movies like - the Rocketeer (also a 1940’s styled superhero classic), Jumanji and Wolfman under his belt, adds an authentic flavour to the film. Johnston has brought the pre-Avengers-time, comic book settings of World War II straight out of the pages of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, who are no doubt, sitting back in an easy chair, sipping fine scotch and smiling.

Captain America the First Avenger is a movie for everyone. Although the special effects are quite awesome, I know I would have been way more entertained if the movie had just a little more fight sequences showing off the good Captain’s augmented abilities. Nevertheless there are plenty of explosions and gunfire to keep you happy. The new age costume is definitely more appealing than the original that was great for its day but a little to blah for today. I particularly like fact that the origin story has not deviated too much from the books.

The pecks are just for the ladies

It’s an action packed adventure and you will not be disappointed with the 3D or 2D versions.  Do remember to be a little patient and stay back after the credits, you might not want to miss that if you haven’t been poking around the Internet already. All in all Captain America is an entertainer that’s funny enough for the kids to understand,  full of action for the guys and has, as one of female colleagues referred to as, ‘Stud Muffin’ Chris Evans, rocking the new costume. It’s time to bring on the Avengers! I can hardly contain myself.