LESSON #1: HIRE A DIRECTOR WITH A VISION AND LET HIM REALIZE IT
Captain America unspools with the confidence and momentum of a seasoned pro. Director Joe Johnston has had a fascinating history in moviemaking. In his own directing career, he's made some troubled productions watchable (Jurassic Park 3, The Wolfman), while creating some bonafide gems (The Rocketeer, October Sky). In many ways, it seems his whole career has led him to Captain America. Even more impressive, it appears as if Marvel actually gave him the time, budget, and autonomy to make the movie he wanted. The result is a film with a look, feel, and pulse that is unique and refreshing. You don't feel studio meddling here. Just a story being told by a filmmaker who finally has the freedom to spread his wings and deliver a love letter to the rollicking serials he's always loved. Joe Johnston was finally given the opportunity to deliver the film I always knew he could, and he makes it look easy in the process.
LESSON #2: PICK THE BEST ACTOR FOR THE ROLE
I'll admit that, since Marvel started producing its own movies, it's done an exemplary job. Instead of sticking any famous face in the role for sheer recognition (Nicolas Cage as Ghost Rider springs to mind here, cast by Sony rather than Marvel. That said, Cage was a long-time fan of the Ghost Rider character), the success of the entire endeavor comes down to choosing the right actor who can bring the character to life in a way we've only imagined. No one can deny that Robert Downey Jr. owned as Tony Stark. Chris Hemsworth similarly impressed as Thor. And now you can add Mr. Chris Evans to the list, as the perfect Steve Rogers. By dropping the cocksure swagger he showed in Fantastic Four and Sunshine and embracing the earnest soul of Rogers, Evans shows a depth previously untapped. He's brought Cap to life better than expected, making him forthright and sincere, without being cloying and corny. In Evans' and Johnston's capable hands, Steve is the stand-up kind of guy we want to cheer for and go on this mission with. To think, we almost got Channing Tatum.
LESSON #3: GIVE US A VILLAIN WORTHY OF OUR HERO
In the current world of movie franchises, every film seems to be made with the footnote ‘We're planning a trilogy'. Because of this overconfidence that ‘we'll do that in the next one' certain characters and stories are held back for the sequel the suits assume they're going to make (Green Lantern is a perfectly depressing example). Who remembers the villain in Iron Man? Let me help. It was Jeff Bridges in a bigger Iron Man suit. What about Iron Man 2? That time it was Mickey Rourke in another, bigger Iron Man suit, but with whips. It's been said that a hero is only as good as his villain, and this is even more true in the world of comic book movies. Batman has the Joker. Superman has Lex Luthor. And Captain America has The Red Skull. Thankfully, instead of saddling us with some second stringer in this first go round, we get to see Red Skull, played by the incomparable Hugo Weaving, onscreen in all his diabolical glory. As upright and honorable as Steve Rogers is, Weaving's Johan Schmidt is as dubious, conniving, and despicable. And it's awesome that Cap and Red Skull actually come face to skull a few times over the course of the film. It was an excellent way to introduce their legendary rivalry, as well as build the conflict of being the twisted mirror images of each other. I just hope we haven't seen the last of Schmidt. He was a glorious bastard.
LESSON #4: SUPPORTING CHARACTERS MATTER, TOO
If you take a moment to think about your favorite films of all time, be it Star Wars, Back To The Future, or Pirates Of The Caribbean (okay, maybe those are my favorites), how many other characters, in addition to the main character, stand out? Odds are that that list is pretty long. You don't just remember Luke Skywalker. You also fondly recall Han, Chewy, Yoda, R2, Lando, Leia, and so on. Johnston understands this, and fills his movie with memorable and entertaining secondary characters and, more importantly, casts them with talented and respected actors (a little trick also favored by our dear friend, Christopher Nolan). So, we don't just have Evans and Weaving doing all the heavy lifting. We also have Tommy Lee Jones at his dry witted best as Colonel Phillips. We have, Haley Atwell bringing an admirable strength and charm as Peggy Carter, who refreshingly never becomes the clichéd damsel in distress. We get Toby Jones as Dr. Zola, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, and Neal McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan. And, most importantly, every one of these characters gets their moment to shine and make their mark on the film. And before you jump on me for forgetting someone, I've saved the best for last, Stanley Tucci as Dr. Abraham Erskine. Tucci took what could have been little more than a glorified cameo, brought gravitas, intelligence, and humor to it and, in the process, became the soul of the film. A pitch perfect performance. Did anyone walk out of X-Men: First Class singing the praises of Angel Salvadore? No need to answer that.
What did you think? Were there any other "lessons" other CBMs could learn from Cap?
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