DVD Reviews

Captain America: The First Avenger - Blu-ray Review

By Patrick Luce Oct 28, 2011, 14:07 GMT

Captain America leads the fight for freedom in the action-packed blockbuster starring Chris Evans as the ultimate weapon against evil! When a terrifying force threatens everyone across the globe, the world’s greatest soldier wages war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving, The Matrix). Critics and audiences alike salute Captain America: The First Avenger as “pure excitement, pure action, and pure fun!” – Bryan ...more

Captain America is a fun movie that doesn’t try to be more than its premise – a superhero out to stop evil from the destroying the world. The movie features a slick look that is perfect for its period setting; a ton of over-the-top action sequences; and a cheesy sense of humor that makes the popcorn feel of the film go down smooth.

Based on the Marvel Comics character, the film was directed by Joe Johnston (a perfect choice thanks to the way he brought 1991’s The Rocketeer to the big screen) with a screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (the screen writers behind the Chronicles of Narnia films).

It stars Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Dominic Cooper, Richard Armitage, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, Kenneth Choi, JJ Feild, Bruno Ricci and Lex Shrapnel.

Set during World War II, the film opens on weakling Steve Rogers (Evans) as he tries to join the Army so he can do his part to fight the Nazis. Rogers may be small, but he has the heart of a hero and won’t back down from any threat. He has tried several times to get into the Army, but is rejected due to his size. On a night out with his friend James 'Bucky' Barnes (Stan), he meets Dr. Abraham Erskine (Tucci) who agrees to let Rogers in the Army as part of a secret division.

While the audience is getting to know and love Rogers, the film spends an equal amount of time introducing its incredible villain – Johann Schmidt (Weaving). Although he was originally part of the Nazi party, Schmidt (who is also known as the Red Skull) has his own plans for global domination through his own organization Hydra and the power of the Cosmic Cube – a device that was left behind by Odin and the other gods when the Earth was young (or at least, that is what I think happened since it is explained in one quick scene).

Schmidt also benefited from Erskine’s early work before the scientist fled to the United States, and has been hunting the good doctor ever since the experiment’s side effects left him without a face.

Although he is the smallest of the recruits and less favorite soldier of Colonel Chester Phillips (Jones), Rogers' "never quit" attitude wins him the approval Erskine and the colonel's assistant Peggy Carter (Atwell). Through the magic of science and the genius of Howard Stark (Cooper), Rogers is transformed from a weakling to a Super Soldier.

An attack from the Red Skull leaves Erskine dead, and gives the audience the first chance to see just how super a soldier Rogers has become. Unfortunately, Phillips disagrees and Rogers is turned into Captain America – a flag wearing symbol of the country’s strength to all the war bond buying public. Rogers tours the country in a “silly” outfit and shield, delivers cheesy lines, and even knocks out Hitler to the cheers of the huge crowds.

His fate changes again after he discovers Bucky was taken prisoner by the Red Skull’s men, and he uses Stark and Carter to get him behind enemy lines to rescue the POWs. The success of the raid grants Rogers his wish as he is put in a special squad that takes the fight to the Red Skull.

Rather than spend a lot of time on this, Johnson and company show several battle scenes where Cap and his squad take out the bad guys and become a thorn in the Red Skull’s side. Things take a turn for the worse with Bucky, and the film sets up the final showdown between Cap and the Skull. It also sets up what is to come next with Cap’s next big screen adventure as part of The Avengers.

As a film, Captain America is extremely entertaining thanks to the way Evans carries the Rogers character; Weaving’s over-the-top evil portrayal of the Red Skull; and the dedication Johnson and company put into getting the characters right. There are changes to Captain America’s comic book origin, but the feel and look is perfect.

When I first heard Evans was cast as Captain America, I had my doubts about his ability to play the character, but the actor more than surprises with his performance.

He is Captain America, (and spent a lot of time in the gym to look the part), but he is also Steve Rogers. His performance early on as the wimpy Rogers (great use of CGI even if his head looks a tad big for the body from time to time) makes you truly care about the character.

Weaving was the perfect choice for Red Skull as the actor knows how to play a screen villain that you both hate and enjoy watching. I wish he could have been given more to do in the film, but look forward to seeing him hopefully return in future Cap adventures.

The film captures its period feel through the incredible costuming of Anna B. Sheppard, the cinematography of Shelly Johnson, and Rick Heinrichs' production design. It also benefits from Alan Silvestri music - which makes the movie feel like a superhero adventure from start to finish.

Along with looking incredible, the Blu-ray comes loaded with special features that take you into how they brought Captain America to the screen and gives you another taste of the Avengers thanks to a short feature.

Captain America: The First Avenger had some problems, but not enough to keep the movie from being a fun ride from start to finish. It does an excellent job introducing the character to the movie audience while staying true to the comic and setting up what is to come next.

The movie’s ending (watch all the end credits) left me counting the days until Cap teams up with the other Marvel heroes for The Avengers.