So the release of the Captain America: Super Soldier game trailer was released today. The scene reveals Red Skull and the Howling Commandos/Intruders but more importantly has some Great Action an and Awesome Fighting Scene! Much of the combat you see is actually demonstrated during Gameplay as well. Check the trailer and the demo out for yourself below;
http://youtu.be/OMlB6DRGoGw
http://youtu.be/UHBISj4XFkg
http://youtu.be/RX5wfOPlrNg
AWESOME!?!? I KNOW RIGHT!
The combat is fluid and skillful while the acrobatic platforming is swift yet graceful. In my opinion, a fantastic adaptation of the characters style put into motion. Now, generally these Games take the style of the film and create a repetitive format to the combat seen on screen. If that is the case then this film will have amazing action sequences! Still I felt unsure of the films stunts seeing as, there have barely been any shown. The little that has been seen, as far as the action goes is quite underwhelming. The plot looks wonderful and the acting looks solid but Caps abilities have not even been teased.
So with my growing concern I decided to take a look on IMDB and check out the stunt team. Though not familiar with many of them at first glance, there are some familiar names and many have worked on some Large Blockbuster films with solid action. After a little research on who I believe to be the essential stuntmen, I feel this film will deliver and my concerns doused.
Below I will list who I believe are the most Important and will cause the greatest effect on how the films action beats will play.
Simon Waterson: Is a Personal Trainer and an Ex-Royal Marine. He is Daniel Craig's Personal Trainer and was the one responsible for his physique in the Bond films. He has also trained Pierce Brosnon as Bond as well as Jake Gyllenhaal for Prince of Persia. He tends to train people for very physical roles and the actors that take these roles seem to be capable of performing many of there own stunts.
Doug Coleman: He is the Stunt Coordinator for Captain America. He has worked on such films as Heat, Independence Day, Spider-Man 2, & Pirates of the Caribbean. He seems to have variety of different action styles in several great movies. Pirates of the Caribbean means he has that Swashbuckling sense of action and Spider-Man 2 shows he can do Super Powered Battles.
Steve Dent: Another Stunt Coordinator. His films include Aliens, Children of Men, Stardust & Gladiator. Sounds like a good mix with Waterson and has a Thrilling, more Dramatic film catalog.
Rudolf Vrba: Is the Assistant Fight Coordinator. He has worked in such films as Robin Hood(2010 in the same position), Prince of Persia(Stunt Fighter), Kick-Ass(Fight Arranger), G.I. Joe: TROC(Stunts for both the film & Game), The Last Legion, Casino Royale, xXx & Blade II. I don't know about you but his film history gets me a little excited.
Marcus Young: Is the Fight Coordinator. He has such films under his belt as Iron Man 2, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Priest, Salt, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, Mission Impossible III, Star Trek, Spider-Man 1&2 & G.I. Joe The Rise of Cobra. Another Excellent list of films with great fight sequences.
Performance Skills: Martial Arts, Stunts
Athletic Skills: Snowboarding, Surfing, Martial Arts
David R. Grant: He is the Stunt Double for Sebastian Stan/Bucky Barnes. He is fairly young in the industry, working in few films but still an interesting set of movies. He has X-Men: First Class, John Carter of Mars & Sherlock Holmes. Sounds like a solid start for this young Stuntman.
Rick English: The Stunt Double for Hugo Weaving/The Red Skull. He has worked in such films as Inception, Casino Royale, Batman Begins & The Bourne Ultimatum. He is a tall athletic individual that has many promising skills for Skull.
Official Site: http://www.rickenglish.co.uk/
Adam Hart: He is one of the Stunt Doubles for Chris Evans/Captain America. He seems to be the guy that gets the crap kicked out of him. He has worked on such films as Inception, The Dark Knight, Live Free or Die Hard(won an Award) & The Fighter.
Here is his Demo Reel and his IMDB page.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2478165/#Actor
http://www.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK//video/demo_reel/vi797154073/
Jan Petrina: Another of Chris Evans Stunt Doubles. He has worked in films such as The Eagle, Babylon A.D, Hellboy 1&2(as Hellboy), xXx & Van Helsing. More then Decent History.
Ben Wright: I would assume that he is actually Chris Evans/Captain America's base Stunt Double. He has films such as Sherlock Holmes, Prince of Persia, The Golden Compass, Clash of the Titans & National treasure to to claim. Very Talented Stunt man with several Martial Arts and Athletic skills at his disposal, including Parkour/Free Running.
http://www.ben-wright.com/
I Believe it's safe to say that Captain America: The First Avenger needs to be a film with as much Heart as it explosive, Kick @$$ action! While I feel Joe Johnston has captured the heart and soul, I worry he may have missed the flesh and bones. Captain America is as much a skilled warrior as he is a good person. His passion for justice bleeds into his battles. His relentless spirit is never seen more loud and clear then when he does battle against an army, by himself or Leads the front Lines in a Blazing Glory. Cap having sloppy fight scenes could be a deal breaker for even the most oblivious viewers. The Fans, well the Fans will just be offended if Cap comes off as some brawler and lacks the tactical mind that we all have admired for close to a century.
One thing is for sure, I can't wait to see Captain America: The First Avenger!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Captain America: The First Avenger focuses on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with Bucky Barnes and Peggy Carter to wage war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull. Starring Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Stanley Tucci and Hugo Weaving, the film releases July 22, 2011.