Review of Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) by Joanna B — 01 Mar 2016

In the golden age of comic books, Captain America reined supreme as the quintessential relatable super-hero. The original crime fighting avenger, he was the people's champion rather than the governments, and in 1941 fit-the-bill as the ultra-patriotic role model.

The bloated and sodden comic-book adaptation cinema-scape is lucky to actually benefit from the addition of this jaunty and retro styled popcorn entertainment. Even with overtly cartoonish characters and a stirring but factually devoid and preposterous World War II story, this well-muscled banner-waving super-solider adventure somehow manages (for the most part) to sidestep the expected hokey corniness and should be saluted even in this cynical age.

In 1942, as the war rages on in Europe youths across America line up to enlist and to help Uncle Sam put an end to the Fuhrer. Plagued with a string of illnesses and underwhelming 140 pound physic, the plucky and willing to serve his country Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) has been continuously rejected by recruitment agents.

Lying on his application again, his persistence and courage is finally rewarded by military scientist Dr. Erskine (Stanley Tucci). In secret experiment, Rogers transcends his pint-size inadequacies by undergoing a scientific makeover to become a brawny, powerful, resilient and 100 pound heavier square jawed superhero.

However, when the lab is infiltrated and Erskine is murdered Rogers is sidelined from fighting. Dubbed Captain America, Rogers is humiliatingly typecast as a shield brandishing, Old Glory costume clad poster-boy for a morale and fund raising USO show tour.

Itching to become a real soldier, his chance comes with the news that his best friend "Bucky" Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and 50 other soldiers are lost behind enemy lines. Defying the orders of his watcher, the British intllegence officer Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) and his old drill sergeant Col. Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones), a renegade Rogers infiltrates the evil Schmidt compound.

An impatient ego-maniac ultra-fascist hydra, Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) exceeds the Nazi plan wanting personal global domination. With the assistance of his diminutive underling Dr Arnim Zola (Toby Jones), Schmidt's objective is to obliterate the world using a combination of science and magic.

Can the titular captain America foil the evil Red Skull's nefarious scheme? Can he save not only his best friend but the world? Can he get the girl?

Although graphically superior and tightly scripted, it is the marvellously realised characters brought to life through a perfectly chosen cast that makes this film a success. The physically appealing "all-american" Evans provides the right human anchor with his likeability, earnestness and projected genuine sense of integrity even when projected at 30% larger than believable onto the body of a 12 year old.

Jones always delivers with his own certain brand of bristly pithiness, Tucci's vital contribution is comical but steeped in the gravity of project, Atwell fits the style of the time as though she has been plucked from a 1940's dance hall and Weaving makes a spectacularly bizarre tandoori-red villain (with a familiarly Voldermort-like deformed look) appropriately menacing.

Although we have been introduced to a number of the Avengers characters already (Iron Man, Thor, Nick Fury etc), this movie brings a little context to some of their connections. With the origins of self confessed brilliant engineer, Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) and yet another post-credits sneak peak at what's in store for the troop, it's a decent addition to Marvel's archives.

The Verdict: Not without its cheesiness, Director Joe Johnson has produced a piece with all the flash and dazzle expected including Busby Berkeley-style dance numbers and high-tech vaporizing weaponry whist retaining a humanism and depth of acting.

Published: The Queanbeyan Age.

Date of Publication: 01/08/2011.