Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America: The First Avenger
Starring: Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper
Rated:PG-13
Director: Joe Johnston

After being deemed unfit for military service pint size Steve Rogers is enlisted into a secret government program to create a super soldier.

It’s the 1940’s and America is embroiled in the second world war, Steve Rogers(Chris Evans) a frail asthmatic who has been denied the opportunity to serve his country multiple times is given a chance, when he crosses paths with Dr Abraham Erskine(Stanley Tucci). Dr Erskine whose serum enhances every aspect of a human, hand picks Rogers for his strong moral character and his capacity to appreciate newfound power; The polar opposite of the head of Hitlers special research team “Hydra” Johann Schmidt(Hugo Weaving) who took the Dr’s original serum enhancing his negative attributes, turning Schmidt into the Red Skull.

Captain America is first and foremost a comic book movie, which requires a certain suspension of disbelief, it’s an entertaining tale set in the 40’s, where ladies are dames and a variety show can sell war bonds.
Although it is a Comic film, Captain America does a few things to set it apart from the pack, first it doesn’t shy away from blood, while not gory you do see that people bleed and that a propeller will turn you into a red mist in the blink of an eye. Secondly it takes its time to tell a story and develop characters, which any good origin story should do. Finally and one of the most crucial aspects is casting and that’s where Captain America shines. Tommy Lee Jones lends certain credibility as Colonel Chester Philips that really brings his scenes to life, Jones weathered face could double as a map of Europe. Tucci shows why he is one of the best character actors out there as the kindly Dr Erskine and Dominic Cooper(the Devils Double) as Howard Stark is beyond convincing as Tony Starks future father(I expect big things from Cooper). Hayley Atwell as the tough as nails love interest with a body and emotions carefully hidden under her uniform is a perfect 40’s era gal, She is Rosie the Riveter with marksmanship.
Add to that a break out performance by Chris Evans who can now hold his head high as a leading man after his awful stints in those abominations often referred to as the Fantastic Four. The always menacing and entertaining Hugo Weaving does what he does so well as the Red Skull. It’s amazing how much credit Weaving doesn’t get when you consider he has starred in the Matrix Trilogy, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and as the Voice of Megatron in the Transformers trilogy. Marvel was smart in casting the Australian good luck charm. The only real misstep is Neal Mcdonough as Timothy Dugan the prison escapee who later joins Rogers elite team, He looks like Randy the little brother from a Christmas Story when he is dressed up to go out in the winter. Every time I saw him all I could think was, Nice badly dyed hair that doesn’t match your stache and why do you have an inflatable sweater on? I like Mcdonough but he just isn’t Dugan.
Captain America is a fine origin story with solid character development a stellar cast and enough action and humor to keep the film moving.
Grade-82
Two facts I picked up one is don’t waste your time sitting through credits there is no bonus scene, Your Welcome for saving you 8 minutes of your life only to read Captain America will be joining us in the Avengers, The film is called The First Avenger so it’s already assumed. Secondly if my math is correct Steve Rogers is the first 88 year old super hero to be a virgin.