Captain America: The First Avenger finally hits international theatres this weekend, and with that here is my review of the film. Usually I post spoiler-free reviews, but this time I have to make a change, because stuff I'm going to talk about contains some spoilers. So, once again,
DON'T READ IT IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE FILM!
"Captain America: The First Avenger" will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) 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 (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) to wage war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving.)
THE GOOD::
What can I say other than this is Joe Johnston's best film so far. I was REALLY worried when Marvel announced him as a director for this adaptation, because his previous films were, well, not that good. But let me tell you this, he did an amazing job with Cap, from start to finish. Dialogue, big scale action scenes, everything was just great. The way screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely introduced us to Steve Rogers and his journey to join the army to finally given a chance for something much bigger, was quite emotional and fantastic to watch. Everyone who is a fan o the character will notice Steve's personality on screen, because it's just like in the comic books. He never gives up, and he always tries to help others no matter what.
As for the performances, Chris Evans was PERFECT as Rogers. There were a lot of negative comments when Marvel gave him the part, but when you see him in this role, you'll be speechless. He is great just like Robert Downey, Jr. is awesome as Iron Man and Hemsworth as Thor. Yes, Evans was that good. He captured Rogers' personality as the "little guy" and as Captain America brilliantly and it was just great to watch. Marvel keeps surprising me with their casting choices, and every time it's getting better and better. Sebastian Stan was also very, very good as Cap's best friend Bucky. They did make him a little bit different from the comics, but this is still Bucky Barnes we all know. There are couple of nods on what we might see in the sequel as far as this character goes, and if you saw the film, then you know what I'm talking about. And if you don't, then read Brubaker's run called
Captain America: Winter Soldier. Hugo Weaving was great as Johann Schmidt/Red Skull. He was truly evil just like the character is in the comics, no mercy. Basically he is a total opposite of Steve Rogers and that's what makes him a great villain in the film. I really hope we get to see more of him in sequels. Hayley Atwell did a good job as Peggy Carter. I was actually a little bit surprised by how good she is because I have never seen her in anything before. Her relationship with Steve was kind of rushed to be honest, but it didn't hurt the film in any way. Dominic Cooper was really good as Howard Stark and you'll see at the end that we will see more of him in the future. Rest of the cast did a fantastic job too. No complaints at all.
The visual effects are amazing. There are couple of unfinished shots, but it's not a big deal because everything else looked great. The effects on pre-serum Steve Rogers and make up on Red Skull were in my opinion the best visual part in the film. In some TV spots, when Red Skull was talking, CG wasn't that good, but in the film, it looks fantastic. Plus, the action scenes, especially at the end when Cap is flying those missiles and battling Red Skull, it was awesome. We all know that Johnston knows how to make great VFX, and this film is no different. It was just great to watch.
Just like in every Marvel Studios film, there are couple of surprises for fans. Also, be sure to stay after the credits, because that
Avengers teaser kicked ass on the big screen!
THE BAD:
First off all, as you noticed, I loved the film. I really did. But there are couple of thing that I didn't like and basically this is the part with spoilers. I will say this, Sebastian Stan was great as Bucky, but what they did with the character and how quickly he was cut off from the film, it was lame. Not what I wanted to see. Sure, we got all the Winter Soldier nods, but all in all, I was kinda disappointed. One thing that I also didn't get (and this is just nitpicking I know), and correct if I'm wrong, but how come they never introduced the Howling Commandos by their names? We don't get to hear the name Dum Dum Dugan or Gabe Jones. This happened in
Iron Man 2 also with Black Widow and Whiplash. I just thought it was worth mentioning this. And the final thing I didn't like, was the ending. I mean I did like the final shot back in the 40s with kids playing carrying Cap's shield, because it was a beautiful scene, but how they handled the part when he crashed in frozen sea and awakes 70 years later...It felt rushed, especially introducing him to the modern world and S.H.I.E.L.D. It needed a little more emotion at the end. But all of this this didn't hurt the film at all, just something they could have improve.
And that's about it. I thought the film was great, probably the second best Marvel Studios film, right behind the first
Iron Man. So yeah, I'm going to say it was better than
Thor. I just enjoyed it more. As for the best comic book films of this summer, I'll say
X-Men: First Class,
Captain America: The First Avenger and then
Thor. I still haven't seen
Green Lantern because it's coming out on August 11th, thanks to the brilliant marketing plan from Warner Bros (sarcasm). One more thing, I saw the film in 3D, but I didn't put it in good or bad section because it was just OK. Nothing special. There is no option to see it in 2D here at my place, but from what I've heard, see it in 2D if you can.
All in all, another hit for Marvel, very emotional and character driven story, with great action scenes, amazing visual effects and fantastic performances and direction. Go see it!
RATING: 9/10