Captain America is one of those truly good guys in comic books. He’s not one of the jaded or conflicted heroes that became so popular in the late 80’s/early 90’s with characters like Wolverine or Batman. To me, Cap has always been Marvel’s own version of Superman…the man who would do the right thing and always stand up for justice with or without any special abilities. He’s the kind of character I’m drawn to due to his wholesome and honest demeanor and strength of character more than strength of body. That’s why it was so exciting to see Joe Johnston absolutely knock the ball out of the park with his take on Captain America. What I saw last night was hands down the most fun I’ve had at the movies this year, and after viewing another couple times, I would imagine could knock Iron Man off it’s pedestal as my own favorite Marvel flick.
The laundry list of things that Johnston got right with this film could go on and on, but the one bright spot to point out is the incredible cast that’s assembled, because not one of the actors seems out of place or overstepping the boundaries of how their character should interact in this world. Everything feels grounded(as grounded as a comic film can be), even in this world of incredible feats of strength and cosmic powers mixing with historical events. Tommy Lee Jones gives the quick one-liners that add levity to the film, but he’s never played as a joke, always tough as nails, but with the right comment at the right time. Stanley Tucci’s Dr. Erskine is key to the journey we see young Steve take as a disillusioned wannabe soldier to someone seen as more than just a skinny kid with multiple health issues and worth taking a chance on. The few scenes Tucci and Evans share on screen really go a long way in setting up the foundation of the film where a man is not made up of just muscle and strength, but of willpower and good heart. Hayley Atwell delivers a performance that finally makes the female lead in a comic film not feel like the damsel tied to the rail road tracks by the mustache twirling mad man. She has an understandable admiration for Steve, and their relationship is never forced, but slowly builds and matures as the events of their lives play out. It is simply put, the most realistic of relationships to ever be seen in a comic adaptation. Sebastian Stan, while limited in screen time and dialogue, gives enough of a layered performance that his friendship with Steve is believable, both before and after Steve’s transformation. One can only hope he gets more time in future films, possibly following Ed Brubaker’s work for those familiar with the funny pages.
Of course, all of these supporting actors would mean nothing without a hero to root for and a villain to despise, and Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving deliver on that front in spades. I remember liking Chris Evans in almost everything I’d seen him in prior to the Cap announcement, but was still concerned(like I was with Ryan Reynold’s GL casting) that he couldn’t completely get rid of the funny man exterior and play Cap for an honest and upright guy without delivering his lines with a hint of sarcasm. Well, I’ll admit when I’m wrong…and I never should have worried. Evans is 100% Captain America to me. From the incredible CGI skinny Steve to the post-serum soldier he is the same man through and through. It’s impressive to watch the humble nature of this little kid get thrust into the body of an Olympic-level athlete, but Evans nailed the characterization and kept the wholesome nature throughout the entire performance. His position as a leader is something forged over time and not just immediately given to him. It’s earned, and you see that in the eyes of the characters he rescues, fights alongside, and eventually leads into battle. Standing on the other side of that battle is Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull, playing the character quite a bit more straight forward than goofy(looking at you TLJ as Two-Face in Batman Forever), and that only makes him all the more menacing. Weaving’s Skull is not only brilliant, but a physical match for Evan’s Cap, so their few meetings are both determination and sheer strength going up against each other, and it makes for a truly engaging rivalry.
As a comic fan there are always moments you hope for when watching your favorite characters put up on the big screen. You know, the little moments you’ve read about for years that you finally get to see breathed into life and it makes something in you go, “YES!” when they get it right. The first time Wolverine popped his claws in Bryan Singer’s “X-Men”; when Christopher Reeve made flying look like it was really happening; when Michael Keaton held the crook over the ledge and first said, “I’m Batman”…all these give you those little comic fan goose bumps that someone finally treated the properties you’ve loved for so long with respect. Well it’s with pleasure I say there are quite a few of those moments in CA:TFA. Johnston took what worked in the comics, gave it a little twist to not look ridiculous on screen(as the USO uniform clearly proves it would have if taken straight from the books) and gives us those moments we’ve wanted. Cap’s agility, speed, charging in with the Howling Commandos, the scenes battling alongside Bucky, going toe to toe with Red Skull….oh yeah, and throwing the shield. Man, does he throw the shield. There is weight to it, like it’s not just a toy, and when it returns to him, it never seems goofy or like a boomerang, but like he just knows how to handle that thing. It’s purpose in battle is multi-fold, and made me immediately want to run to Halloween Express and pick up a shield of my own to begin destroying lamps around the house with style. It’s now cool to have a shield, and I propose everyone just carry one from now on. Shields are the new Twitter…get on board.
It’s with great satisfaction I recommend this film. I can’t wait to go back and revisit it again. I’m sure there are things I missed as there were multiple times at the screening I attended where the audience erupted in applause and I missed some dialogue. This is just one of those fun films that makes me glad to be a comic fan, and even happier to be in a time where they’re treated well on screen. No, the 3D isn’t that big of a deal and you could easily skip it for the 2D screening. It isn’t bad, just not necessary to get enjoyment out of this. From start to finish I had a grin on my face. This is Captain America done right, and I’m thrilled with the results. Avengers can’t get here soon enough.(and no, they didn’t show the teaser for that after my screening…guess that’ll happen at the releases in theatres this weekend).
Bottom Line: When Captain America throws his mighty shield…it’s awesome.