Captain America: The First Avenger

The summer of Super Heroes continues. Quick refresher: Thor, X-Men, Green Lantern. Some hits, some misses, some so mediocre I can’t remember what happened during them. And now we have the First Avenger – technically speaking I think Iron Man beat Cap to the punch but that’s neither here nor there.
Steve Rogers is a literal 90-pound weakling. He’s small and frail, but scrappy as hell. He may look like you can snap his neck but he has determination like no other! It’s that spark that draws Dr. Erskine to enlist Rogers in an experimental program turning him into a Supersoldier. Soon, a villain known as Red Skull appears and threatens our freedom – not if Captain America has anything to do about it.
The concept itself is nothing far off-base from your usual superhero pages. Captain America, however, has a different feel to it that sets it apart from other films in the genre. Everytime I see a superhero movie, I expect to be wowed from start to finish with explosions and effects. I practically crave having my breath taken away – yet Captain America has the plotting and staging of a smaller film. There are explosions and fights and computer generated effects out the wazzoo, that’s for sure, but there is also time talk, to plan, to reflect and to interact. There really is no big aw-gee setpiece that knocks your socks off, but instead the action happens in fits and starts. When you adjust your expectations accordingly, you’ll find a more rewarding experience.
Joe Johnston, who most recently directed the gory, effects-laden Wolfman, has imbued the film with an old-school 1940s feel. Had he not balanced the tone between campy and earnest, the whole film could have been and slipshodden, patriotic mess. Making sure the audience really feels like they are in the 40s, however, makes Rogers’s unwavering dedication to his country more digestible.
Chris Evans, in the title role, has a very wholesome, steely all-American look that makes him perfect for the role. He pants, he runs, he smacks bad guys with his shield with aplomb. Hayley Atwell as his British female partner is plucky and feisty and does her best to not be a damsel in distress. Hugo Weaving, however, steals the show whenever his red-skulled Johann Schmidt struts on screen. Weaving has a way of taking his dialogue and coating it in molasses – drawing out words and growling them with frightening menace.
Going into Captain America I had reservations: a grown muscled man draped in the America flag throwing a red, white and blue shield at Nazis? A bald, walking skull dipped in Firetruck red paint? Luckily, my fears were assuaged by the care and respect and touch of winking wit in the film.
The sequels have been all but guaranteed. In fact, production on The Avengers, the Marvel super team that includes Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and the aforementioned Captain, is well underway under the guidance of Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon. It’s hard to say whether future films starring Cap will be successful – we all had high hopes for Iron Man 2…until it came out. I, for one, will be crossing my fingers and holding my breath until May 2012 rolls around and we see if Marvel’s efforts pay off.