Captain America – First Movie Review

Originally Answered:

The first big screen outing of Marvel’s red-white and blue hero Captain America stars Chris Evans as the square jawed warrior with the indestructible shield. The movie has a winning pulpy and jaunty spirit that a 15 year old screening buddy called “better than Thor and Green Lantern.”

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a thin asthmatic whose size and medical condition make him ineligible for military service. But kindly Dr Erskine (Stanley Tucci) sees something in him – bravery and kindness. Over the gruff objections of a top brass (Tommy Lee Jones) he selects Rogers for his Super-Soldier experiment.

Rogers is transformed into a hard-edged soldier with the help of his new outfit and indestructible shield. The transformation is not a smooth one, as the boys in his unit have little time for him and his wholesome ideals. But he proves himself in a series of set pieces as he penetrates deep into Hydra’s strongholds and blows them apart.

Hugo Weaving is terrific as the evil Dr Schmidt / Red Skull and he brings to the role his years of experience playing villains in every sort of sci-fi and fantasy genre. His makeup work and black leather costume is also top notch. The film may have some minor issues and a few scenes that are a bit cheesy but it is still an excellent film. The director Joe Johnston has done a good job of bringing to life this iconic character that first appeared in World War II comics and making him a modern hero for the times we live in now.