Saturday, July 30, 2011

Captain America: The First Avenger

As a comic book fan, I think that it’s almost unforgivable that the powers that be at Marvel left Captain America on the shelf while Iron Man got two movies and has become one of the most substantial characters out there. But Cap finally gets his moment in Captain America: The First Avenger. The film takes place during World War II, with Steve Rodgers (Chris Evans) attempting to get into the military to fight. He is then chosen for a government experiment that makes him a super soldier.

Evans, who bulked up for the role, is digitally manipulated in one way or another to look scrawny for the beginning of the film. At first it seems like the character’s head is too big for his body. You get used to it though. His reserved portrayal of the character fits well and builds for a great underdog film. However, don’t expect the actor’s usual wit because it just doesn’t apply to the war hero he plays. He is charming, but not sarcastic.

The origin story is interesting and all, but the villains make the film unique. Hugo Weaving plays the red skull, which is a great casting that will add to the actor’s already extensive comic-con pleasing résumé (The Matrix, Lord of the Rings). The role, like everything else in the movie is a throwback. He is a crazy villain who only wants power and destruction. It’s a classic motivation, but well timed so that it appears fresh compared to the complicated agendas of other comic book movie villains.

Captain America builds subtly through its episodes of origin story, through propaganda star, and into the heroic climax. Unlike some of the other Marvel movies, this one is actually hindered by the moments that connect it to the Avengers crossover movie due out in 2012. Of course for it to work we need Cap in the present day, but the 1940s setting is almost too good to give up. (8.8 out of 10)

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