Captain America: The First Avenger Review

He's escorting Adolf Hitler himself to the gates of Hell.

Captain America: The First Avenger is the final film in a series of Marvel Studios superhero films leading up to next year's The Avengers, and thankfully, it's one of the best of the bunch. Sure, it has problems, but none of them are really deal-breakers. For one thing, despite his limitations as a director, Joe Johnston was a solid choice for this movie. With a resumé that includes another superhero film, The Rocketeer, as well as movies like Jumanji, Jurassic Park III, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and October Sky, he is both a student of Spielberg, master of the old-school blockbuster, and a man capable of venturing into dramatic territory. He's made a couple of stinkers (I'm looking mainly at you, The Wolfman), but his sensibilities as a filmmaker are just what a superhero like Captain America needs. A sense of patriotism, fun, adventure, and action, akin almost to Raiders of the Lost Ark, only instead of Doctor Jones, we get the Cap. Now on to the Cap himself. Despite having already played a superhero in the lousy Fantastic Four series, Chris Evans was really born for this role. He's got that ironic, comedic touch needed to help Steve Rogers feel alive, while also being worthy of the man's heroic nature. The supporting cast also produces a few winners, with Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci standing out as Colonel Phillips and Dr. Erskine, with the latter being some of the heart and soul of the film. Hayley Atwell also puts on a stellar performance as Peggy Carter, making her and the Cap's romance arguably the most believable in the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe. I never really got Tony/Pepper in Iron Man, while Bruce/Betty and Thor/Jane just seemed empty, but the Steve/Peggy relationship feels real and progressing at a natural pace. Also of note is Dominic Cooper as Tony's father Howard Stark, who puts on a credible similarity to Downey's character. Then there's the villain. I give Hugo Weaving credit for his valiant effort as the Red Skull, but ultimately, the character of Johann Schmidt never fully materialized. He was evil, he had ambition, I get that, but he just never really became a fully fleshed-out character. Ultimately, most of the villains in the MCU have fallen flat, with the possible exception of Loki in Thor (Obadiah Stane was a psychopath, Emil Blonsky was power mad, Ivan Vanko just wanted revenge, and the Red Skull's brain was addled by the serum). However, most of these complaints are small nitpicks, as we get to see how Steve Rogers moves from World War II to the present day, where Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson in a cameo once again) once again approaches a hero with the Avenger Initiative. Unfortunately, to find out their goal, we'll have to wait until next year. Overall, Captain America: The First Avenger was a good-not-great addition to Marvel Studios' ever growing universe, and the post-credits teaser leaves me hot with anticipation for next year.

The Avengers opens on May 4, 2012.

Captain America: The First Avenger - 3.5/5 stars