What can be said about the latest addition to the Avengers team and the most recent incarnation of Captain America? How about… AWESOME!
Don’t worry, we here at Comic Addicts understand your concern. Right about now you’re probably asking yourselves questions like, “How do we know this isn’t a re-hash of everything that’s been done before?” or “Does Chris Evans really make a good Captain America?” or “Did they cop out and make it a superhero love story?” The quick short answers to those questions are, “Trust us it’s not. Yes he really does. And no, they did not.”
Chris Evans as The Cap
Click on the image to view full size
So what makes this Captain America different? Well there are three things done in Captain America: First Avenger that help to make the story more concrete and real. Steve Rogers wasn’t picked for the experiment simply because he was willing and because he was weak. Rogers was chosen for his heart, mind, and the drive to do good. The next element is that after Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) was killed it was Colonel Chester Phillips’ (Tommy Lee Jones) inclination to send Rogers to the lab to be studied so that perhaps the process and formula could be recreated. It wasn’t the same old, “Well we at least got you, so we’ll put you out on the front lines!” No, Rogers had to earn his due. The other element is that Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) isn’t the plucky Robin-esque sidekick this time. He is Rogers’ friend and the same age. They grew up together and in fact Bucky was the one who bailed Rogers out of fights in back-alleys.
Does Chris Evans make a good Captain America? Yes, he does. What makes him different? Evans’ approach to Cap is that he’s still unsure of himself, but very willing to just jump in as well as disobey orders to do what is right. Evans also plays Cap with a level of intelligence. He’s not some spandex clad monkey simply taking orders. Well, not after the USO shows anyway! As for the love story, well it’s very subtle. There are hints and flirts throughout the film, but the story doesn’t revolve around it. So breathe easy knowing that it’s not a smooch-fest in costume.
Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull, now was there ever any doubt he couldn’t do it? After parts such as V in V for Vendetta and Agent Smith in The Matrix trilogy he was an excellent choice for the part. Weaving’s Red Skull is brilliant but greedy, with his own vision of the world and the drive to make that vision come true. So in other words, he’s pretty spot on to the comics.
Agent Red Skull
Click on the image to view full size
As for some of the supporting characters, they were cast and played wonderfully as well. Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) makes it easy to see that Tony a.k.a. Iron Man didn’t fall far from the tree. The Howling Commandos: Dum Dum Dugan (Neal McDonough), Jones (Derek Luke), Morita (Kenneth Choi), Falsworth (JJ Field), and Dernier (Bruno Ricci) were every bit as rambunctious and calculating as they were in the comics. Although you don’t see Nick Fury until the end of the film.There are little things to keep your eye out for throughout the film. For example, at the World’s Fair, you get a brief shot of a man in a glass tube labeled “The Synthetic Man”. It’s the original human torch, though you never get to see him flame up.
There is also a nod to the 1970’s series Captain America starring Reb Brown who was the Captain America that rode the motorcycle and was an artist. There are other such little things tucked away in the film that undoubtedly you’ll all pick up on. Although we’re sure it goes without saying, we’re still going to say it – don’t leave until after the credits.
Avengers Assemble!!!
Click on the image to view full size
Overall a fantastic film that makes Captain America seem much more plausible than past incarnations. Much better than the Roger Corman flick (not that it takes much). Watch it for yourselves and tell us what you think.
The Shield – No, not Nick Fury’s S.H.I.E.L.D. Cap’s Weapon + ArmorCilck on the image to view full size
catestsite1 