The First Avenger in full patriotic swing

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER (2011)
Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

When remembering my favorite Marvel heroes as a kid, I always had a soft spot for Captain America. He is the one who came from a patriotic time where it was okay to fight a war you believed in. In the case of the Cap Man, it was World War II and he fought Nazis and the legendary villain, Red Skull. In terms of cinematic and television adaptations, Captain America has suffered. A 1990 flick with Matt Salinger was disappointingly mediocre with a bland hero. The Reb Brown TV series doesn't merit any worthwhile mentions. And though I have not seen the Republic 1940's serials, I am told that version has Captain America using a gun instead of a shield! Sacrilege! So it is a blast to see that they got it right this time. "Captain America: The First Avenger" is a solid knockout of a movie, a first-rate superhero movie that leisurely spends time with its central protagonist and lets us get to know him.

A 90-pound weakling, Brooklyn-born Steve Rogers (Chris Evans, a splendid choice) is trying to get to enlist in the Army and help fight the good fight. His chronic ailments, including asthma, and his small build gets him a "4F" (meaning, no admittance to the rest of you). He gets a chance to re-enlist thanks to a German scientist named Dr. Erskine (Stanley Tucci) who sees potential in a super-soldier experiment. The tough, hard-shelled Col. Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones, looking more grizzled than ever) is skeptical of the kid despite Steve Rogers' demonstrations of guts and bravery. In one scene, Rogers has an exercise where he is willing to sacrifice himself to save his fellow men. All this from a Brooklyn kid who never gives up. He might have if he had to endure "Full Metal Jacket's" drill sergeant, but that is a different story.

Before the swooning women can say "nice abs," Steve Rogers is thrust into action as the super-soldier he was destined to be. First, he has to perform a service for the Army, which includes hitting an actor made up to look like Hitler in the face before a dance troupe in a patriotic attempt to sell war bonds (back when the U.S. did that sort of thing. Interestingly enough, the first comic-book issue cover of the Cap Man had him punching Adolf Hitler in the face). But when he is adorned with his true red, blue and white costume and packs some heat and throws his circular vibranium shield that can knock anyone off within a hundred yards, we are in full swing. It is the movie I've been waiting for any studio to do right for years. They have created a colorful, nostalgic kick in the pants for anyone who loves the Cap Man and 1940's iconography.

But there is more. The evil Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), aka Johann Schmidt (a Nazi commandant) is ready to destroy America with his super sonic plane and its loaded missiles headed to incinerate designated states. Surely Captain America and his newly elected team of commandos will have a few things to say about that. There is also time for love with the luscious British agent, Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), whose crimson red lips would be enough to drive any man to a dinner date.

Director Joe Johnston capably serves this material, as he should considering twenty years ago he directed the wondrously entertaining "The Rocketeer," also a 1940's hero movie of another brand. "Captain America" is a rip-roaring, rousing comic-book movie come to life with actors who breathe life into their parts, coloring them with just enough eccentricity to make them palatable. Though Hugo Weaving drips with menace, he also hints at something more sublime - he appreciates Captain America for never quitting. I think, deep down, Red Skull knows he will have to quit before his madness consumes him, literally.

"Captain America: The First Avenger" is not as thunderously epic as "Thor" and it doesn't contain the ironic wisecracks of "Iron Man." It is more scaled-down, more down to earth, more intimate, more soulful. This is largely due to Chris Evans (who was the best thing in "Fantastic Four") who brings integrity and dignity to Captain America in spades. The movie wisely chooses not to poke fun at the period it is set in. It envelops it, contains it and brings us a world that no longer exists (and for the youth today, never knew it existed). Its also got its tongue firmly planted in its patriotic cheek, and has the level of "Indiana Jones" innocence and escapism that it needs. But don't be surprised if you get a little teary-eyed by the end, and don't be further surprised if you want to get up off the couch and join Captain America.