Recommendation of the Week (31/07): Captain America – The First Avenger

Out of all the comics I read without fail when I was a lad, Captain America was the last that they hadn’t adapted into a movie (I’m not including the wretched 1990 effort) . I’ve always thought that the best way to do it would be to make it a period piece set during world war 2 and it seems that the producers and writers agreed with me. This version of Captain America is a wonderfully retro, action packed and inspiring romp that is the best looking of all the Marvel studios efforts so far and over time could well prove to be my favorite film of theirs. The decision to bring in Joe Johnston was a smart choice, anyone who has seen The Rocketeer knows he can do retro, the 1991 film was hampered by budget restrictions though that held it back from greatness. Bringing in Johnston really paid off once he was given the budget to fully deliver on his vision.

The story is the origin of Captain America that comic book readers know inside and out except slightly tweaked to make the most out of the cheesier elements and make them work for modern audiences. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a slight Brooklyn kid in the early forties just as America is joining the war effort in Europe. Rogers wants nothing more than to fight for his country like his friends but his physical limitations hold him back and the army refuse to allow him to sign up. On his fifth attempt to forge records and become enlisted, Rogers is spotted by scientist Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) a defector from Germany working on a formula to create an army of super soldiers. Rogers manages to pass the physical with Erskine’s help and joins a crew of trainees and potential candidates to become a super being trained by the gruff Colonel Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) and British agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Against all odds and showing the kind of courage and self sacrifice that a hero should, Rogers is picked to be the first candidate and physically transformed into a perfect being of maximum strength and agility. This brings him to the attention of the villainous Nazi agent of Hydra Johann Smit aka The Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) who has a few secrets of his own and has harnessed a cosmic power which will give the Nazi’s the advantage when it comes to weapons technology. The scene is set for a showdown of epic proportions.

There is a lot to squeeze into Captain America’s origin story and the screenwriters could have easily been overwhelmed trying to fit it all in. The core of the story is the Indiana Jones meets Hellboy action epic with brilliant stunts and effects but the writers also find time to squeeze in the Howling Commandos, James ‘Bucky’ Barnes, the romance with Peggy Carter, Howard Stark (Tony’s dad)  and of course the introduction of the ‘man out of time’ scenario which will no doubt play out in The Avengers. Its a credit to writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely that the screenplay never feels weighted down or incoherent. It flows brilliantly, is funny in all the right places and the action kicks ass. Unlike Iron Man 2 and Thor, SHIELD are not shoe horned in at every opportunity, so the film is very much its own thing and not just a trailer for The Avengers.  It also looks phenomenal, shot by DP Shelly Johnson with the same kind of affection and love that Bryan Singer showed with Superman Returns. Every frame has a warm nostalgic glow and despite some obvious green screen which really showed up in the 3D version, the effects are pretty seamless. The trailers brought about much snickering because of Chris Evan’s normal sized head on a weedy body. In the finished film the effect is flawless and believable and I can’t wait for the special features on the DVD to see how they did it. Evans was a smart choice in the casting for this role, he is believable as a truly selfless being and is never seen spouting the sort of jingoistic balls that Cap occasionally spouts in the comics. They portray Rogers as a man with a heart of gold and balls of steel but also a vulnerable soul. Its smart and could well be the most likeable character of all The Avengers seen on screen, how they are going to bring him into the modern world to make him become the ultimate leader of a band of superbeings is going to be interesting to watch. Hayley Atwell is an actress I’m not familiar with but now I am in love with her I will be watching what she does next with great interest. Atwell plays Peggy Carter as a powerful mold breaking woman with gumption and smarts in a world that doesn’t see females as having anything of value to add except window dressing. There is a scene where she walks into a British pub with a red dress on that is simply breath taking. Carter and Roger’s unspoken romance is handled well and never gets sugary until the right moment where it is that much more effecting. The supporting cast are also all really brilliant in their parts. Tommy Lee Jones is his normal reliable old self bringing weight and gravitas to a comic book blockbuster. Hugo Weaving essays a great villain essentially playing an insane deformed Nazi who has some back story essential to the plot but never slips into pantomime baddie mode. Stanley Tucci and Toby Jones are also great in their support/plot mechanic roles as are whoever played the Howling Commando’s.

I have a bit of a weird fetish for retro action films and paranormal Nazi science, I seem to be one of the only people who enjoyed Sky Captain and The World Of Tomorrow. Seriously though folks, in what has been a disappointing summer that seemed full of promise, Captain America delivers the goods with style and flair and is a genuine crowd pleaser.  It never goes trumpet blaring and chest beating for the USA but still manages to inspire one to be all you can be. Its very rare to see a film without cynicism that doesn’t get syrupy and has a wide eyed wonder and sense of adventure that works in these jaded times. Captain America IS that film, its the best summer blockbuster of 2011 hands down.

by Chris Holt

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