Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) PG-13

Some people are certainly worn-out from all the Marvel Comics films that have been spewed out over the last decade, but I for one enjoy the majority of them. While this film is no Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Iron Man or Thor, it's definitely better than the Blade films, the Fantastic Four franchise, The Punisher, Elektra, Ghost Rider and The Incredible Hulk. What really sets this film apart from a lot of the other Marvel films is the special effects and the production design. I'd say this film is on par with the original X-Men and X-Men: First Class. Obviously nothing special, but extremely enjoyable.

I was very skeptical when word first got out about a Captain America film because director Joe Johnston (Jumanji, The Rocketeer) was attached. While Johnston does have some decent PG films under his belt, he's also behind the dreadful Jurassic Park III and The Wolfman. However, it turns out he may have been the right man for the job because of the squeaky clean script (written by the team behind all three Narnia films). The film is rated PG-13 for a reason: the heavy violence, a small amount of sexual innuendo and some rare language, but it's very family friendly. I wouldn't keep an 11 or 12 year old from seeing this film.

One of the things that makes this film so appealing is the patriotic effect; he is Captain America after all. It's impossible not to root for a superhero covered in red, white and blue. But what really makes this film work is that it takes place during World War II. The set pieces, the makeup, the costumes, the go America go feel of the 1940's all work to perfection. However, none of this would work without the charm of lead actor Chris Evans (Sunshine, Fantastic Four). Evans plays Steve Rogers, an average twenty-something Brooklyn kid with dreams of joining the U.S. Army to fight for his country. The problem is that he's 5'4" and weighs a measly 90 pounds. Now we all know Chris Evans isn't 5'4" but the effects people do a wonderful job, and he actually looks the part. Rogers has the heart of a lion, but the body of a fifth grader. Time and time again he is rejected by the Army, but he never loses hope.

Steve's best friend Bucky (Sebastian Stan) just happens to be a Sergeant for the U.S. Army, which surprisingly doesn't make Steve jealous. They're best buds but Bucky is about to be deployed to Europe for active duty. At a recruiting office, a doctor (Stanley Tucci) overhears Steve's goodbye speech to Bucky. It's a heart-felt, patriotic speech that catches the ear of the world renowned Dr. Erskine. Erskine is looking for men just like Steve. Men with big hearts, courage and who don't take power for granted. He isn't your typical doctor though, he's working on a new project that makes "super soldiers." He recruits Steve to join his elite group. Only one man will be chosen from this group, and that man will become Dr. Erskine's guinea pig for his ground-breaking experiment. The squad is run by the strict but oft-comical Colonel Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones), and the beautiful Officer Carter (Hayley Atwell). Phillips doesn't know why Erskine recruited such a tiny, powerless man, but he had no say in the matter.

It's obvious from the start of training that Steve isn't equipped to be a soldier, but he gives 100% at all times. Steve puts his wit and bravery on display for Phillips and Carter, but it doesn't seem to be going far. However, Dr. Erskine and Steve have a really good relationship, and Erskine has known from the start that Steve is the one he's been looking for. He gives the news to Phillips who calls him crazy, but after a showing of courage by Steve the Colonel finally he gives in. Steve is now set to become Erskine's first super soldier.

Carter takes Steve to a secret lab in downtown Brooklyn for the experiment. Steve is obviously scared, but brave enough to go through with it. His budding relationship with Officer Carter gives him the extra courage he needed. With help from super-genius inventor Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), Dr. Erskine is ready to start the experiment. The name Stark should sound familiar, hint hint. They strap Steve into a chamber, jam needles into his body and start it up. They almost stop the procedure because Steve begins to scream at the top of his lungs, but he persuades them to keep going. After it's over Steve emerges about a foot taller with a chiseled physique. Everyone is wowed by the extreme success of the operation. Carter gets herself a good feel of Steve's pectorals for good measure. Meanwhile, a man grabs the last remaining test tube with the secret serum inside and shoots his way out of the laboratory. He hits and kills Dr. Erskine. Steve is furious, so he gives chase.

After a lengthy chase, in which Steve catches the criminal on his bare feet, the man reveals he's working for a secret terrorist organization called HYRDA. HYRDA is run by Dr. Erskine's old lab-mate Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving). Erskine first used his experiment on Schmidt, but it went haywire leaving Johann branded for life. However, Schmidt has now gathered a following and is working with a Dr. Zola (Toby Jones). Together they have successfully harnessed the power of Odin's cube (which may sound familiar for those of you who have seen Thor). Schmidt is working his way towards world domination, and is now even more dangerous than Hitler at this point. HYRDA's secret headquarters are located in Italy where they have captured hundreds of American soldiers, including Steve's old pal Bucky.

With Erskine now dead and the last of the serum destroyed (which happened during the chase), the super soldier experiments are suspended indefinitely. That means that Steve no longer has any affiliation with the U.S. Army. He was supposed to be the first of many, instead he's just one man. Phillips doesn't think he has any use for Steve. So, Steve's life takes a big U-turn as he becomes a stage actor called "Captain America." These shows are somewhat demeaning, but he still thinks he's doing some good out there. The show tours the nation, and is a big hit with children. His costume is somewhat laughable, but it will soon get a face-lift. His show goes overseas and lands in Italy, in front of thousands of soldiers. The soldiers love the girls who surround him on stage, but they hate Steve and his stupid red, white and blue costume. They boo him off the stage and toss tomatoes his way. Backstage Steve runs into Officer Carter, who hasn't forgotten about Steve. She informs him that Bucky is MIA and may have possibly been captured by Nazi forces. She tries to persuade Col. Phillips to use Steve for a rescue mission, but he wants nothing to do with him or the thought of a rescue because it's too dangerous. So, Steve takes matters into his own hands.

Howard Stark flies Steve into enemy territory where he sky-dives his way to the ground. He must make the rest of the trip on foot. He happens to sneak his way into the enemy facility, and sets all the prisoners free. You would think that would be quite difficult, but he practically walks in there, hits a couple guards with his shield and frees everyone. It turns out that the facility is actually run by HYRDA and not Nazi's. Steve eventually finds Bucky and flee together. Schmidt is on the sight and flees alongside Dr. Zola, but not before running into Steve. They exchange words and a few blows. Schmidt reveals his alter-ego "Red Skull" to Captain America, as he shows off his once hidden red face. Red Skull has known about Steve's emergence from the beginning. Red Skull manages to escape out of Captain's grasp. Meanwhile, the freed prisoners come upon weapons that are able to disintegrate humans with one blast, thanks to Odin's power. They use the weapons to fight off HYDRA soldiers.

The facility is set to self-destroy and Captain America and Bucky only have a few minutes to escape. Now this is just the tip of the iceberg, but I really can't reveal much more. From this point on Captain America joins forces with the U.S. Army and must take down Red Skull before he takes over the world. The majority of the film is spent getting to know Steve Rogers, and it's over half way through that we really get into the action sequences. This film has a tremendous retro feel. I don't think that I'm going on a limb by saying that the visual effects are the best yet in any of the Marvel films. It's really a site to behold. Quite honestly this is a story that has been told hundreds of times. Evil terrorist seeks world dominance; superhero must save the day. But it's a formula that's worked before and will work again.

What made Thor a better film was the excellent humorous tone that was set from the beginning. This film aspires to do the same, and for the most part succeeds but never quite finds the perfect balance between humor and action. I'm not the biggest Chris Evans fan, but he plays Captain America to near perfection. This is a heart-warming, yet heart-wrenching story about the little guy who gets to save the day. He's certainly the nicest, most well-rounded superhero to date; when he's not in costume killing terrorists that is.

There are numerous great performances from the cast. Hayley Atwell (The Pillars of the Earth) looks to be an emerging star after her pitch-perfect performance here. Tommy Lee Jones (No Country for Old Men, The Fugitive) is rarely anything but fantastic, and he once again proves that theory here. Stanley Tucci (Easy A, The Lovely Bones) has a small, but quite comical role. He's turning into one of the better supporting actors in Hollywood. Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, V for Vendetta) is strong enough as the devilish villain. Dominic Cooper (The Duchess, An Education) turns in a nice performance as Tony Stark's brilliant Father. One of the better supporting performances came from Neal McDonough (Minority Report, Flags of Our Fathers), who isn't in enough movies. He's a lot of fun with his handlebar mustache.

There some good original music by Alan Silvestre (Forrest Gump, The Polar Express), which sets a pretty good tone throughout. This isn't Silvestre's first rodeo as he's been nominated for an Oscar multiple times. One word of advice for those of you who check this film out: stay through the credits. After the credits are done, you will get a sneak peak at next summer's The Avengers. That film will feature Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and a third attempt at The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).

For those of you who're in love with these films will be excited to here that Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (did anyone even see the unbelievably brutal first installment?) and The Amazing Spider-Man (starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker) will hit next year as well. A third Iron Man and a second Thor are scheduled for 2013. So, it's safe to say that Marvel Comics will continue to flourish and judging by the box office numbers people are okay with that. This film is nearly impossible to dislike, despite some rather ludicrous situations. The cinematography and the performances carry this film, and it's well worth your money folks.
B