Now, as I believe many active users will probably know, I am not American, I am Canadian. Most Americans are stereotyped as being fat, loud, and obnoxious. But if I were to be asked what being American is, if I had to guess, it would mean being patriotic, valueing the rights and freedoms you were given, and protecting those freedoms with pride, at least that's my guess. Hey, you don't stereotype me, I won't you. So now, Captain America, the First Avenger (yet ironically the last 'Avengers' movie to be made) has finally made it to theatres to tie the last piece of the Avengers story that Marvel has been setting up for 3 years. Does it hold up with the likes of Thor and Iron Man? I rode my polar bear to the nearest theater, watched it, and here is my review.
Keep in mind that this is MY review of the movie. Your opinion may very well differ from mine.
Story
The movie mostly takes place in the year 1942, right in the middle of WWII. We follow Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, who wants nothing more than to join the army and serve his country. However, due to the fact that he is both horrendously skinny AND he probably has every known disease to man, he is constantly rejected. However, his good nature and desire to make a difference and stand up to bullies gains the attention of Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), who decides to volunteer Steve for Project Rebirth, an initiative to create a line of super soldiers. Steve undergoes the transformation and emerges as Captain America, the peak of physical and mental perfection. Now pretty much a living weapon, Steve fights against the forces of Hitler's deep science division Hydra, led by Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving), a maniac with a God complex who wants nothing more than to see the world burn.
If you're a fan of underdog stories, you'll find no bigger underdog than Steve Rogers, who through the first third of the movie is ridiculously sickly. He can perfectly recount what alleys and streets he's been beat up in, he's never had a date, and he's been rejected from an army desperate for volunteers at least 4 times. You really grow to root for Steve, and these make up some of the best parts of the movie. Of course, once he becomes Captain America, we get some genuinely badass action scenes. I know there's only one shield in existance made of Vibranium, but I want one, I don't care.
Virtually all the characters you see on the screen are developed very well, and you become emotionally invested in the characters, something most movies fail at. In particular, the romance between Peggy Carter and the Cap is done well, and yet not overdone. The best scenes though belong to one of these two characters: Colonel Chester Phillips, and Johann Schmidt a.k.a. Red Skull.
But as awesome as Red Skull was, he was probably the only character who wasn't developed well enough. Every hero has their villainous counterpart: Spiderman and Venom, Batman and Joker, and then there's Captain America and Red Skull, but you never get that feeling in the movie that they're the bitter enemies that they're supposed to be. In addition, the final battle between the two was pretty weak, so those could have used work.
Acting
I was skeptical along with everyone else at the casting of Chris Evans for Steve Rogers for two reasons:
1. Chris Evans has built a career on being average in movies.
2. He's already played a Marvel hero, The Human Torch.
Well thankfully, Chris brought his A-game to the role, as he was able to carry this entire movie. In fact, everybody does a great job in this movie. Hayley Atwell does a great job as Peggy, and I really liked Dominic Cooper playing a younger Howard Stark (father of Tony Stark). Like father like son, and Tony is one my favourite characters.
But there are two standouts: Tommy Lee Jones and Hugo Weaving. Tommy Lee Jones eats up every scene he's in, giving a supporting role so much depth and feeling that he will quickly become one of your favourite characters. As for Hugo Weaving... I said it on my Transformers 3 review, and I'll say it again: he was BORN to play villains.
Presentation
The effects used in the movie are relatively good. In particular, the Red Skull (I know I keep coming back to him, shut up.) It would have been so easy for them to just CG up his face, but they used makeup for him, and he seriously looks like he was right out of the comics. So bravo to Marvel for that.
The rest of the effects can be hit or miss. Not a large amount of CG is used in the film, but when it is... it's noticable. Other times, it's easy to tell when someone's on strings being pulled into the air. Luckily the movie doesn't rely on these, so it doesn't hurt too bad.
The soundtrack is typical American war movie music. I guess that's what they were going for, but in the end, it's pretty forgettable. It's not bad, but not on par with the soundtracks of other movies this Summer.
Verdict
So I give Captain America: The First Avenger a:
8 / 10
This movie had good pacing, great characters, amazing acting, some awesome action, and a surprising amount of emotion that I wasn't expecting. However, the villain could have used much more development, the end's a letdown, some effects are questionable, and the soundtrack is forgettable at best. While it wasn't the best movie in the Avengers lineup, it is still a solid movie that I can recommend checking out if you have time. Also, it's a Marvel movie, so stick around after the credits. Trust me.
So, have you seen Captain America: The First Avenger? What did you think? Was I too harsh or too leniant? Did I miss anything? Let me know.
'MERICA!!!!!!
Now, as I believe many active users will probably know, I am not American, I am Canadian. Most Americans are stereotyped as being fat, loud, and obnoxious. But if I were to be asked what being American is, if I had to guess, it would mean being patriotic, valueing the rights and freedoms you were given, and protecting those freedoms with pride, at least that's my guess. Hey, you don't stereotype me, I won't you. So now, Captain America, the First Avenger (yet ironically the last 'Avengers' movie to be made) has finally made it to theatres to tie the last piece of the Avengers story that Marvel has been setting up for 3 years. Does it hold up with the likes of Thor and Iron Man? I rode my polar bear to the nearest theater, watched it, and here is my review.
Keep in mind that this is MY review of the movie. Your opinion may very well differ from mine.
Story
The movie mostly takes place in the year 1942, right in the middle of WWII. We follow Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, who wants nothing more than to join the army and serve his country. However, due to the fact that he is both horrendously skinny AND he probably has every known disease to man, he is constantly rejected. However, his good nature and desire to make a difference and stand up to bullies gains the attention of Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), who decides to volunteer Steve for Project Rebirth, an initiative to create a line of super soldiers. Steve undergoes the transformation and emerges as Captain America, the peak of physical and mental perfection. Now pretty much a living weapon, Steve fights against the forces of Hitler's deep science division Hydra, led by Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving), a maniac with a God complex who wants nothing more than to see the world burn.
If you're a fan of underdog stories, you'll find no bigger underdog than Steve Rogers, who through the first third of the movie is ridiculously sickly. He can perfectly recount what alleys and streets he's been beat up in, he's never had a date, and he's been rejected from an army desperate for volunteers at least 4 times. You really grow to root for Steve, and these make up some of the best parts of the movie. Of course, once he becomes Captain America, we get some genuinely badass action scenes. I know there's only one shield in existance made of Vibranium, but I want one, I don't care.
Virtually all the characters you see on the screen are developed very well, and you become emotionally invested in the characters, something most movies fail at. In particular, the romance between Peggy Carter and the Cap is done well, and yet not overdone. The best scenes though belong to one of these two characters: Colonel Chester Phillips, and Johann Schmidt a.k.a. Red Skull.
But as awesome as Red Skull was, he was probably the only character who wasn't developed well enough. Every hero has their villainous counterpart: Spiderman and Venom, Batman and Joker, and then there's Captain America and Red Skull, but you never get that feeling in the movie that they're the bitter enemies that they're supposed to be. In addition, the final battle between the two was pretty weak, so those could have used work.
Acting
I was skeptical along with everyone else at the casting of Chris Evans for Steve Rogers for two reasons:
1. Chris Evans has built a career on being average in movies.
2. He's already played a Marvel hero, The Human Torch.
Well thankfully, Chris brought his A-game to the role, as he was able to carry this entire movie. In fact, everybody does a great job in this movie. Hayley Atwell does a great job as Peggy, and I really liked Dominic Cooper playing a younger Howard Stark (father of Tony Stark). Like father like son, and Tony is one my favourite characters.
But there are two standouts: Tommy Lee Jones and Hugo Weaving. Tommy Lee Jones eats up every scene he's in, giving a supporting role so much depth and feeling that he will quickly become one of your favourite characters. As for Hugo Weaving... I said it on my Transformers 3 review, and I'll say it again: he was BORN to play villains.
Presentation
The effects used in the movie are relatively good. In particular, the Red Skull (I know I keep coming back to him, shut up.) It would have been so easy for them to just CG up his face, but they used makeup for him, and he seriously looks like he was right out of the comics. So bravo to Marvel for that.
The rest of the effects can be hit or miss. Not a large amount of CG is used in the film, but when it is... it's noticable. Other times, it's easy to tell when someone's on strings being pulled into the air. Luckily the movie doesn't rely on these, so it doesn't hurt too bad.
The soundtrack is typical American war movie music. I guess that's what they were going for, but in the end, it's pretty forgettable. It's not bad, but not on par with the soundtracks of other movies this Summer.
Verdict
So I give Captain America: The First Avenger a:
8 / 10
This movie had good pacing, great characters, amazing acting, some awesome action, and a surprising amount of emotion that I wasn't expecting. However, the villain could have used much more development, the end's a letdown, some effects are questionable, and the soundtrack is forgettable at best. While it wasn't the best movie in the Avengers lineup, it is still a solid movie that I can recommend checking out if you have time. Also, it's a Marvel movie, so stick around after the credits. Trust me.
So, have you seen Captain America: The First Avenger? What did you think? Was I too harsh or too leniant? Did I miss anything? Let me know.
baylaust out.