From a summer of unoriginal and unappealing superhero/action films, “Captain America: The First Avenger” has arrived to save the day. This is the best and most exciting movie of this genre since last summer’s “Iron Man 2”, another Marvel marvel.
The story centers around Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), a young man who lives in New York City in the early 1940’s. World War II has begun and, like most men, Steve wants to join the Army so he can fight for his country. The problem is he is too small and weak so the Army won’t take him. The always excellent Stanley Tucci plays a doctor who finally gives Steve the chance to enlist. He is then chosen to be the subject of an experiment in which he becomes bigger, taller and stronger, with the help of inventor Howard Stark (who just happens to be the father of future Iron Man Tony Stark).
Steve becomes Captain America, but at the beginning he only gets to do stage shows with dancing girls selling bonds. But soon he decides he wants to join the fight and start taking down the enemy, including Johann Schmidt, the evil leader of Hydra, a spin-off of the Nazi’s. Schmidt underwent a similar procedure years before, but it didn’t turn-out too well. Without giving too much away, this is becoming the summer of the noseless villain.
Captain America isn’t my favorite Marvel character, but “The First Avenger” is my favorite Marvel Studios film so far, mainly because it is so much fun. The story is unpredictable – including, not only the fighting scenes but the romantic subplot involving Steve and a fellow soldier (Hayley Atwell). The movie is thrilling from start to finish, even though the 3D, at times, is distracting.
Up until now Evans was best known as “The Human Torch” in the “Fantastic Four” movies. But this is the perfect role for him. Everyone in “CA” gives solid, believable performances. Tommy Lee Jones is well cast as the colonel.
The script is well balanced, and includes some occasional light moments. But this, at the heart, is a patriotic war movie, though the ending isn’t what you might expect. The special effects are above average. Fans of the Marvel comics and films will appreciate the references to “Iron Man” and “Thor”, and Stan Lee has another memorable cameo.
“Captain America: The First Avenger” is rated PG-13. Practically every scene includes a gun, that’s usually being used to shoot someone. It’s appropriate for kids 11 and up, though millions of 10-year olds and younger will be watching the DVD/Blu-ray. Marvel maniacs will be watching it over and over.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, “Captain America: The First Avenger” gets a B+. It kick’s the butts of “Green Lantern” “Thor” and all other recent superhero films. Trust me, you’ll be a fan of “The star-spangled man with a plan”.
And he’ll be returning in Marvel’s next movie – “The Avengers”, which will bring together for the first time Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Captain America and other characters from the previous films. May 4th, 2012 is the release date for what could be the Ultimate Summer Blockbuster.