Captain America: The First Avenger

• Directed by Joe Johnston
• July 19, 2011 (El Capitan Theatre) / July 22, 2011 (US)
• Based on Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby

During World War II, a frail man is transformed through a secret project into the super-soldier Captain America and must stop the Red Skull from achieving world domination.

Captain America: The First Avenger is perhaps my favorite of the MCU Captain America movies if not most of the Marvel films. From the opening moments it promises something different and grand. Like comic books of the past, it has a distinct feel from the other Marvel films of the time or even those of the present.

It uses elements of Marvel mythology from the 40s-either from the day or those that were retroactively added-making strongly connected to the source material. Not a one-to-one translation but the connection is obvious. We even get the original Human Torch being referenced though not an actual character.

Joe Johnston brings all the experience he used on the classic The Rocketeer to this film. He immerses the film in the 40s without drowning it in that time. It takes a careful hand to not overdo it when letting the audience know what the time period of a film is.

Chris Evans was perfect casting. From scrawny Steve Rogers to beefy Captain America, he embodies the character’s ideals without ever feeling phony or forced. Rogers is upstanding and believes in the promise of America. Perhaps to an unrealistic level but he’s a good man with a good spirit who stands up for what’s right no matter what the odds are against him. Steve Rogers is shown to be special in mind and spirit.

The chemistry between Steve and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) is great but there is something that I rarely hear discussed. Steve Rogers was just a friend to Peggy until he showed up all buff and tall. There was a great deal of “Mommy wants that for Christmas” in her actions. Then they had a great romance. If Captain America hadn’t developed America’s ass those two never would’ve gotten together. Once she could do laundry on his washboard abs it was on!

The special effects in this are amazing. I still have no idea how they accomplished Chris Evans being scrawny. It is without a flaw! It looks absolutely amazing as does the CGI used for so much in the background. Thirteen years on and it is still tough to tell where the sets end and the fakery begins.

Not everything is handed to you in First Avenger such as a good look at the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). Even though we all know what the character looks because of an on-the-nose name or just decades of existence Johnston still drops hints that there’s something different about him. That’s followed by a very brief shot with dim lighting that gives you an idea but not a good view before an eventual payoff. There was no strong need to do this since his appearance was well known but it does serve as a hook.

Aside from Evans, Atwell, and Weaving we get Tommy Lee Jones, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Toby Jones, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, and Stanley Tucci. A very talented cast bringing life to the lore and characters taken from Captain America.

A hero is only as good as the villain. If Superman only ever fought purse snatchers he wouldn’t be that great of a character but give him Lex Luthor and he could really shine. The same goes for Captain America against the Red Skull. As good and pure as Steve Rogers is, Johann Schmidt is evil and tainted. He is every bit as megalomaniacal and evil with delusions of grandeur as you could want. 

They don’t necessarily avoid any kind of bigotry of the time but it’s not the main focus of anything. I think it’s I think the closest they get is during the POW escape when Timothy ‘Dum Dum’ Dugan (Neal McDonough) looks at Jim Morita (Kenneth Choi) and asks Captain America “What, are we taking everybody?” and Morita responds with “I’m from Fresno, Ace.” It is a funny moment and perhaps the only instance of racism.

First Avenger has a far better death scene than Endgame even though Cap does not really die. The exchange between Cap and Peggy is heartbreaking. They are lying to each other as the plane crashes knowing neither is telling the truth. But the best part about this movie? It’s not crowded with non-core Captain America characters. The focus of the story is Captain America and his journey. Unlike future Cap films and your general MCU film this was not filled with cameos.

Captain America: The First Avenger is rousing and exciting and a distinct entry into the MCU. Perhaps one of the better ones.