Captain America: The First Avenger review.

Review: 3.5 out of 5.

Listen, before you read the rest of this review, I would like to say I remember promising you all for doing a preview of Phoenix Da Icefire's upcoming new album, Quantum Leap. But I thought rather than show you a video of 5 Jewels why not review the whole thing when it comes out. Alright, now that is clear, let me say, after having viewed a backlog of superhero films this 2011 with the Old Norse God, Thor, mutant supremacist, X-Men First Class, along with the emerald - wise cracking - Green Lantern I decided to take on World War II veteran Captain America The First Avenger.

Directed by Joe Johnston, written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, it is based on the Marvel Comics character that is created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Again helmed for production with a duration of 124 minutes by Marvel Studios, this is the last Paramount Pictures film that will dare to distribute any of their characters. This was produced by Kevin Feige (Iron Man). Movies in this genre are hard to pass ahead, you got to leave the cliche factors behind and it can't take itself too seriously and mustn't be a spoof. I think that's where Green Lantern and Thor didn't nail. Another, is you can't ground the main character too much otherwise they run around without any purpose. That is what I hated the most about the last two I mentioned.

Good:

The film stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, a young man who desperately wanted to aid his country in the war effort during the 1940's. Deemed unfit for service and denied several times in five different locations for military duty, Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) gives Rogers the benefit of the doubt and is recruited in a super soldier experiment. Erskine, Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) and British MI5 Officer Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) head the program. Doused with a unique serum and vita-rays (seriously who names these things?), Rogers is then genetically altered into the star-spangled, American hero.

The first act ended nicely with the broader, courageous, Rogers subduing Heinz Kruger (Richard Armitage), Nazi assassin of Johaan Schmidt/Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). Marcus and McFeely did a great job in making the script tight; action, drama, conflicts and humour were in the right places and did not feel over-complicated and was very easy to follow. Apart from Chris who nailed the feel and spirit of the leading role perfectly, Hayley did well in her depiction of Peggy Carter as did the majority of the supporting cast with Tommy Lee Jones.

My favourite scene is the rescue of Bucky (Sebastian Stan) and when Captain America meets Red Skull for the first time. The next was the battle with HYDRA in the full red, white and blue suit in an enemy base. The action sequences in that location were fantastic, particularly the shield throwing moments which are iconic. The set designs, visual effects and costume designs were solid; Cap's final outfit were obviously inspired by The Ultimate Marvel universe in the comics (an imprint separate from the mainstream comics). Although, the 3D were not visually an impact on screens.

Bad:

Despite all of the aptitudes that make this film look great, there were some inconsistencies. One is the inaccuracy of the actual time period, now I know Johnston stated in an interview this is not actually a period piece but is set within some alternate timeline in 1942, which does kind of justify some of the flaws (the advanced technology) and MI5 not known in those days. However, even so, it should be a little more consistent. I mean you don't see little green men in space pods running amok in Ancient Greece. I do appreciate the twists and turns in that era.

Another thing was character development of Red Skull was not good enough, Weaving got the accent right but it left him not having much arm stretches to enter his psyche and show why the concoction screwed him up the way it did. Yes he is a villain, but he is a pretty two dimensional one at that. The Red Skull I know is more than that, but instead he is reduced to just a super - cardboard - cut-out - version of the bad guy who promoted Hitler's fascist ideologies. The writers did not take enough time out to flesh him out more, if they gave Weaving a bit more screen time it could allow us as the audience to take a glimpse of the relation between the Captain and Red Skull. They are metaphors for the American Dream plus Nazi Dictatorship.

One more thing, we need to see more of the situation at hand with the war. Take for example, Saving Private Ryan, I don't mean blood and guts cause that will raise the whole certificate to about 15 but show what is happening rather than show Cap destroying HYDRA Bases. It may not be a war film but it is set in that period and not just show it in newspapers, TV, etc. People need to absorb the whole scenery and noise as if they were there. So, throw in a few more explosions here and there, possibly land Cap in with his Howling Commando's in a bit more missions and help out on the front lines. Cap has a gun, so make him use it. Editing was pretty standard, sound okay, music need to be a bit grittier and less campy.

Overall:

3D was a drag, but did not ruin the experience. Fantastic work Evans for your interpretation of Cap and a strong, collaborative, supporting cast. Thanks a lot Director Johnston for your vision of the earliest avenger, your flukes are forgivable. Great start, lazy writing by Markus and McFeely in the second act but excellent finish. To better capture the essence of your world's setting, it would have been gratifying if the director gave a deeper outlook of what life would have been like during World War II in Spring of 1942. Could do with a few more interconnections with the characters such as the Red Skull, Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) and Bucky Barnes but I can't complain. Nice treat at the post credits scene between Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Rogers setting the stage for The Avengers film next year in 2012. Flashy visuals, good touch and is worth buying tickets. It shows how fun and tough being a renowned protector is all about.

- Written by Kbon