Captain America - The First Avenger [DVD]

Captain America! I remember seeing the old 90s Movie as a kid and thinking, "wow" hes got a shield and he's got a suit that looks like an american flag! LOL. It was all very colourful and great.
These days though would the Cap hold it against a very cool gadget and weapons driven Iron Man? A Web slinging Spiderman? Or Thor with his Mighty Hammer?
I think Captain America Is about more than just a man with super powers and weapons or gadgets. The Film focuses on the bravery and determination of one man, "Steve Rogers" deemed "not good enough" to join the army during World War 2 because he's too small and skinny.
But Rogers gets his chance to shine when hand picked to become Americas first Super Soldier in an experiment. Its not too long after this that he's running, leaping and muscle flexing all over Europe.
He also has to contend with one other super soldier. Hugo Weaving's, "Red Skull". An amazing bad guy in every respect and a match met for The Cap!
Cue lots of amazing action scenes, explosions, special FX and CGI battles. In 3D this film was awesome. lots popping out of the screen (especially the shield) throughout the film. But Rogers has to remember to do one thing whilst becoming a big hero. He must remember to be "Himself". The Steve Rogers that was picked for the experiment with heart, determination and selflessness and to not get lost in himself or change his ways when fame comes a knockin'.
This Film Just entertains and does it well. Good Plot, good characters and great Action! and it ties in very nicely with all the other marvel films for a nice lead up to the Avengers film coming out next year!
Its loads better than the cheesy 90s version (of course haha) and Is total enjoyment for super hero action nuts everywhere. buy it :)

Set in 1942 at the height of World War 2, Chris Evans (Fantastic Four) stars as the puny yet courageous american Gi wannabe, Steve Rogers. But fortune shines on him as Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci -The Hunger Games) who is recruiting for a special top secret experiment, Project Rebirth, see's beyond Rogers physical failings to give him a shot as a candidate, much to the dismay of Col. Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones -The Fugitive) who doesnt see the same as the good Doctor does. Eventually being the chosen candidate, Rogers undergoes an experiment to change him from a puny regular Joe into a super human solider....Captain America is born.

Overall, Captain America: The First Avenger is a watchable bit of entertainment first & foremost, but does have it's failings. The Story starts out very well & introduces us into how this physicaly under sized man with a big heart becomes Captain America, in the opening 30 minutes. But it then drops from 5th gear into 1st gear, as Captain America is used as a propaganda tool for the war. Which is kinda the calm before the storm i guess. As the film then trys to get back into 5th gear with its action sequences, but doesnt facinate as much as it did at the begining imo, as it gradually pushes into 3rd & 4th gears.

Although we have to respect that the hero will ultimatley win out, we could had been respected a bit more with the action sequences. The enemy "storm troopers" who look like something out of Return to Castle Wolfenstein toting big futuristic weapons, yet have the armour of a gnat, as they fall over like rolling pins doesnt elude too much in the believability stakes. But i guess this is what we have to swallow with it being an action hero flick.

I was impressed with the way they CGI'd Chris Evans as a puny looking weakling, then un-CGI'd him, i've not seen much of the guy, but initially i thought the actor was a stand in & then Evans would appear later, colour me impressed. The rest of the CGI was well done too. The 1940's setting also looked good & a nice change from modern based adventures. Now, not being a comic book reader myself, but having enjoyed the recent Marvel film offerings, i did appreciate the subtle introductions/hints of the other Marvel comic characters, like Iron Man's father & Samuel L. Jacksons, Nick Fury(more astute fans may have noticed more than i). Which all lead into the latest Marvel comic blockbuster, Avengers Assemble, which imo the film made very enticing by it's ending.

The acting was pretty good on the whole, Evans was solid but lacks the screen presence of true Holywood stars imo, Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones & Dominic Cooper all added gravitas to the movie. Hayley Atwell as Rogers love interest didnt really impress for me & seemed overwhelmed in the acting stakes with her big moment near the end, that she lacked beliveability imo. Hugo Weaving (The Matrix [Agent Smith]) was impressive, or over hammy depending on how you see it, as the villian Johann Schmidt aka The Red Skull.

In conclusion, Captain America is an enjoyable watch dispite it's few failings, it's not the very best Marvel comic movie i've seen, but it certainly isnt the worst. Reccomended.

The first time I watched Captain America I was less then impressed. Coming out after the sucesses of Iron Man and Thor this just didn't seem to be in the same league which as Captain America was supposed to be the leader of the Avengers didn't make much sense.
Then about 2 weeks later through boredom I watched it again and I was impressed and the more I see the more I enjoy it. The whole story is enjoyable and because it lacks the futuristic battle scenes that Iron Man or Thor do it takes a little longer to get into the action. But once you do its brilliant and totally enjoyable.
Chris Evans is very good as Steve Rodgers the man who becomes Captain America it took me a while to get past his prievious superhero persona of The Human Torch in the Fantastic Four movies but I think he does Cap very well. Hugo Weaving of Matrix and V For Vendetta fame plays the villian known as the Red Skull who seems more then a match for the star spangled man. Hayley Atwell plays the strong female love interest for Rodgers and Tommy Lee Jones is his hard assed supereor. Also in this we meet Howard Stark the farther of Tony "Iron Man" Stark and find out a little about a certain blue cube which becomes very important in later movies.
In closing I really enjoyed this and highly reccomend it. Captain America is every bit as good as other Marvel movies maybe even better if you give it a chance. Stick around for the usual after credits scene as this ties further in to the Avengers.