Captain America: The First Avenger

Release Date: Jul 22, 2011  

Runtime: 2 hr. 4 min. 

Director: Joe Johnston 

Cast: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Sebastian Stan, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper, Stanley Tucci.

The last Marvel hero to hit the big screen this summer is the most valiant of them all, and none other than the first Avenger himself, "Captain America." Set during the height of WWII, soldiers are eager to join in the fight against the Nazis, including a scrawny kid from Brooklyn by the name of Steve Rogers. Small in size, but big on courage, Rogers gets offered a chance at a military experiment that will create a ‘super-soldier,’ thus becoming the ultimate weapon in a time of war. Chris Evans stars as the all-American hero, who’s as brave and selfless as he is endearing. Despite being usually typecast as the wisecrack and jock, Evans affirms he’s more than just a poster boy — as evident in past films such as “Sunshine” — and embraces the role with a demeanor beyond expectations. Aside from the acting, it’s his physical transformation that is most impressive and imaginative. Using digital technology as opposed to body doubles, Joe Johnston and his team bring a whole new meaning to extreme makeover, going from ‘skinny Steve’ to Captain America. The same can be said for the makeup work done on the iniquitous adversary, Johann Schmidt. Leader of HYDRA, and played by the ever-talented Hugo Weaving, Red Skull is profusely menacing, and is one of the more intriguing villains out of comic book movies this year. As far as origin stories go, “First Avenger” is at the top of its class, providing enough details and character buildup, interlaced with smooth action sequences. And much like its companions, humor is an added bonus that keeps the audience entertained, and the characters enjoyable. This includes the sarcastic Tommy Lee Jones who seems effortless when it comes to picking on the ‘little guy.’ As expected, there are indeed noticeable tie-ins to “Iron Man” and “Thor,” as it’s necessary to keep a unified storyline throughout. But the ending, in turn, slightly suffers for it, and makes for a forced entry in a series that is far from being completed. While it’s satisfying to see the continual improvements in these comic book adaptations, the greatest challenge will come in the form of the first ensemble picture next summer, when universes and heroes collide in “The Avengers.” Johnston should consider himself lucky, for Joss Whedon will have plenty of hype to live up to...or behold the wrath of the fanboys. 

Rating: 4 stars