Captain America: First Avenger

I love this movie.  It is a good action movie…it is a good comic book movie…it is a good movie.  Just over two hours long, the movie is jammed packed with explosions, good versus evil, and feel-good moments.  Chris Evans portrays the lead, Captain America / Steve Rogers, with emotion often lacking in “beefcake” actors.  We have seen him in comic tights before – as the human torch in the last two Fantastic Four movies.  Steve Rogers is a more humble character than the flamboyant Johnny Storm.  With a bit of CGI we see Steve Rogers transform from a nobody to a propaganda tool to a true hero.  Hugo Weaving is a perfect foil for Cap as the Red Skull, one of the creepiest and most evil of super villains in the comic genre.  Most fantasy/sci- fi fans will recognize Hugo as Agent Smith in the Matrix trilogy, Elrod in the Lord of the Rings,  Megatron in the Transformers series, and V (as in Vendetta) – truly a prolific actor.  The cast also includes Tommy Lee Jones as the curmudgeon Army Colonel Phillips, Hayley Atwell as Agent Carter, a no-nonsense soldier with a soft side, and Stanley Tucci as the father figure and German scientist determined to right the wrong of the Nazis.

I did enjoy the story.  Not only did were they faithful to the comics, they kept the emotional tug of the storylines and patriotic fervor.  It is important to note that Captain America began in the throes of WWII. Yes, it was a propaganda piece, but it was a good one.  It is important to recall that prior to Pearl Harbor, this country avoided entering the war (the xenophobic contingency was most vocal for years).  Once we finally stepped in, there was a huge push in the entertainment industries – including comics and movies – to create strong heroes to inspire those both in the front lines and those at home.  The fact is that Hitler and the Nazi movement defines evil.  Captain America embodied the Allied spirit and American heroics.  Considering the enemy, one can overlook the over-the-top, obviously overly dramatic patriotic fervor found within this character and storyline.  There was a time when “truth, justice, and the American way” was an ideal (not something to ram down the throats of another in order to claim one is more patriotic).  Captain America is NOT obnoxious and NOT self-absorbed.  He doesn’t want to kill for the sake of killing; he wants to stop the bullies.  Steve Rogers wants to protect the ordinary person – and that inspires those around him.  When you look at his team you see a hodge-podge of Allied soldiers coming together – representing a positive relationship amongst all nations who wish to fight injustice.  There is a clear villain – the Red Skull – who represents the horrors of the Nazi regime and their obsession with the occult.  It is so easy to hate Johan Schmidt and his deity-fixation.  .

Oh how to discuss the ending without spoilers…  Let’s just say that the movie end (including tags) fits in with the comic books.  A transition into the Avengers comic (and movie) is well done.  Now it is hard to make comic book fans happy – especially when there is 70 years with of material (some of which is contradictory).  Regardless, I think everyone will find something to enjoy about this movie.  Most people - 13 to th 80, who will like the powerful action sequences and emotional draw.  There is a lesson in Captain America’s story which will be nostalgic and entertaining.

So, get some popcorn, grab a drink, and sit back – this is a ride you will enjoy.