In the year 1941, the first issue of the Captain America Comics was published by Timely Comics; the company that would one day be known to the world as Marvel. This was to be our first glimpse at the star-spangled patriot in stripes and spandex. Now fast forward 70 years in the future to 2011, and Captain America: the first Avenger, directed by Joe Johnston (known for such action/adventure classics as Jurassic Park III and The Young Indiana Jones chronicles) has hit theaters around the globe. The final installment of Marvel’s The Avenger’s movie prerequisites, introduces the very first avenger at the end, perhaps to honor the age-old tradition of saving the best for last. Johnston presents us with surprisingly wholesome and captivating story of honor, patriotism, humility, and duty.
The story unfolds at a starting point some 70 years in the past (notice a trend?) during the 1940’s. Adolph Hitler is at large, World War II is in the air, and a sudden tumultuous flood of patriotism has inspired every able-bodied young man to quit his place in society and join the military front, with ideas of “shooting some Nazis.” Steve Rogers (Chris Evans, recognizable from his role as Human torch in Fantastic Four) wants only to extend his body as well as an offering to appease the tides of war. Unfortunately, he just wasn’t cut out for the job.
A careful combination of sheer luck and penultimate fate leads Steve to meeting with the enigmatic Dr.Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), and a very special offer that not only guarantees him an incredible set of situational circumstances and a permanent place at the forefront of military efforts, but an opportunity to change his life forever. By accepting this offer, and the enormous responsibilities ahead, Private Steve Rogers takes on both the heroic persona of Captain America and the attentions of an unknown enemy with unlimited power.
While the general storyline was fairly straightforward, the details were what kept it interesting and personal. Comic relief in the form of Steve’s pitiful “before” transformation body kept our protagonist humble. This was twice as funny considering that the shrimpy runt body was actually CGI and that Chris Evans is in all actuality insanely muscular and bulky. Moreover hearing him accept put-downs and laugh off bullies was entertaining when paired with the idea of what he actually looked like when the scene was originally shot. Movie magic used with irony, I’d say.
Another intriguing aspect was the incorporation of Nazis and Hitler and whatnot. Comics geeks will be entertained by the creative association of Hitler with Hydra, the elite faction of fictionalized terrorists that exist solely to serve as antagonists and a common enemy in multiple Marvel comic story arcs. In this particular story their role was described as a sub-section of the Nazis, and each wore uniforms branded not only with the golden skeletal octopi symbolic of hydra operations but a sparingly displayed swastika. Their leader was none other than a man named Johann Schmidt, later christened “Red skull” (Hugo Weaving), who I personally felt was a rare example of a decent “villain” if you will. Other note-worthy characters of the film include Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Colonel Chester Philips (Tommy Lee Jones), and of course Howard stark (Dominic Cooper).
I found this film to be worth the watch in theaters. If you missed it, it was officially released on Blu-Ray and DVD October 22nd- so no excuses. What made the noteworthy characters worth mention? How could anyone live knowing their good friend’s nickname was “Bucky”? What was Mr.Stark up to? And did Nick fury show up in the end with a little The Avengers movie plot spoiler? Watch and find out.
-KDV
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