Movie Review: "Captain America: The First Avenger"

"Captain America: The First Avenger" (2011)

Cast: Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan

 

Director: Joe Johnston

 

The superhero movie "Captain America: The First Avenger" is the fifth movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

 

My 60 Second No Spoilers Intro

 

It's 1942, and Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, wants to help America in the fight against the Nazis. However, the government continues to turn him down. He's too weak, too sickly, and too skinny to qualify. (Chris is no bigger than a bean pole at the beginning of this movie. The magic of cinema did a great job with this!)

 

Later, at the World Exhibition of future technologies, he meets Dr. Abraham Erskine. When Dr. Erskine asks Rogers if he wants to "kill Nazis," Rogers replies, "I don't want to kill anyone. I don't like bullies. I don't care where they're from." Rogers is precisely what Erskine is looking for, so he offers the kid from Brooklyn the opportunity to join the Strategic Scientific Reserve devoted to producing a "super-soldier."

 

In a secret lab, Roger gets strapped inside a machine as "the first step to the path for peace." When the process is finished, out comes a hot, muscular guy that turns the female agent Peggy Carter on, as much as she tries to hide it. (A muscular Chris Evans turns me on too.)

 

Who is the villain?  Sure, you've got Hitler. But the focus is on Nazi officer Johann Schmidt. Schmidt is the leader of Hydra, the Nazi Deep Science division. As Schmidt says, "Hydra could go no further in Hitler's shadow." In other words, Schmidt desires to do way more than Hitler ever envisioned.

 

Meanwhile, Rogers goes from specimen to a "Captain America" performer promoting war bonds. Or, as Carter says, "lab rat" to "dancing monkey." It's embarrassing for Rogers, and he knows neither a lab rat or a dancing monkey can beat the Nazis or Schmidt. Encouraged by Carter, a silly Captain America becomes a serious Captain America.

 

Who Was Good, and Who Wasn't?

 

Agent Peggy Carter, played by Hayley Atwell, is an excellent actress. Hugo Weaving is also great as the villain Johann Schmidt. So is Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips.

 

What I Liked, and What I Didn't Like

 

Dislike: As much as I enjoyed the acting of Hayley Atwell, her character was a bit too annoying for me. She can handle a gun, but her emotions are a little over-the-top at times.

 

Like: I loved how hot Chris Evans becomes.  As explained in this article, Captain America's Training Plan, he worked super hard to get into shape for the role. 

 

Like: The graphics used in the closing credits were excellent. It was an attractive World War II theme.

 

Who Will Like This Movie?

 

"Captain America: The First Avenger" is excellent for people who not only enjoy an action movie but a 1940s war-time feel.

 

Rating?

 

I give "Captain America: The First Avenger" Four out of Five Stars.

 

Final Words:

 

And as I've said in my previous reviews, be sure to watch for the post-credits scene. That's always typical for a Marvel movie to get you excited for the next one.