MCU Rewind #5 - Captain America: The First Avenger - Review
Release date (US): July 19th, 2011
Directed By: Joe Johnston
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Chris Evans, Haylay Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones, Toby Jones, Hugo Weaving, Stanley Tucci, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper
MCU REWIND REVIEW EXPLANATION: In these reviews, I will be going back to all the Marvel Cinematic Universe Films that have been released to date, reviewing each one in a retrospective manner. Expectations and background will detail how I felt about the film before the repeat viewing. This review will contain spoilers for these movies. You have been warned.
Previous Rating: 8.1/10
MCU REWIND REVIEW EXPLANATION: In these reviews, I will be going back to all the Marvel Cinematic Universe Films that have been released to date, reviewing each one in a retrospective manner. Expectations and background will detail how I felt about the film before the repeat viewing. This review will contain spoilers for these movies. You have been warned.
Previous Rating: 8.1/10
Expectations/Background: Poor Cap 1. The forgotten child of the three. Everyone remembers Cap 2 and Cap 3 and the Russo Brothers because of the revolutionary storytelling and the way that they redefined Steve Rogers in the modern world. But seldom do people talk about Captain America: The First Avenger. I remember liking this film. I didn't remember how much, but I did remember liking it. However, I was curious why no one really talks about this film - going in, I wanted to see what this film had to offer me a second time around.
The Movie: While yes, this may not be the best MCU film, and it is the worst out of the Captain America trilogy, make no mistake at all. This is a good movie. Not only that, but it's a fun movie with a heart and soul, and the heart and soul's name is Chris Evans as Steve Rogers.
Positives: As you may have guessed, Chris Evans proves why he's perfect as Steve Rogers. The whole idea behind this character is that he doesn't just rely on his physique. Steve Rogers used to be like one of us; a scrawny, average, even weak kid who just wanted to do what was good, and in his time, that was serving in the army during WWII. Evans does an amazing job showing that while he does have the peak human body, that's not what fuels him. What fuels him is the desire to do good and serve his country, and that is truly commendable from his performance.
Now, we have the benefit of knowing what happens in the rest of the MCU, so I'm going to cheat a little and say that one of the reasons we buy into Cap's motivations in the future films is because of the masterful chemistry between him and Haylay Atwell's Peggy Carter. Each Captain America film features her character - but not only is she there in person, but her spirit really influences Steve. People always talk about Pepper and Tony, but don't sleep on Peggy and Steve. While Pepper is more of an assistant and support for Tony, Agent Carter holds her own against Steve, often taking the lead.
Major kudos as well to Joe Johnston and the writers for the character development. There is only so much an actor can do, but given the right material, an actor can take a character and truly lift them up. The way that Steve Rogers' arc is written throughout the film makes you root for him all the way through as the scrappy kid from Brooklyn.
I think, for the most part, the movie is paced great. There is one part that I don't quite enjoy and think is a little extraneous, but there are scenes that maybe don't seem like they fit in the film, but you realize that they are vital to build up the characters. And that's what I love. One of the reasons we care so much for Cap in the MCU as a whole is because of how well his character is developed. The filmmakers take the time to build up the characters and I love the movie for it.
The villain (more on him later) is also one of the better ones in the MCU Phase 1. I mean, he's not the best, but he's enjoyable to watch, especially in the larger sense.
And overall, what I love about the movie is that there is a strong, consistent storyline that is building towards something and has a goal. It doesn't put the characters into the background, but it also doesn't neglect the story.
Negatives: There are a few gripes I have with this film. Overall, the film is good, and it is such an enjoyable watch because of how much you care about each character.
That being said, it does sacrifice some of the action beats for these. Now, of course, I would take a great story over good action any day because I believe that action is only there to support the story. But we've seen Cap 2 and 3 and we've seen how the action can be infused into the story seamlessly. While the action in the film isn't awful, it's not memorable at all.
The third act also devolves into a maniac with a glowing cube trying to fight down a buff man with a flag outfit. It does seem a little ridiculous. But you get over it really quickly because of the characters and the heart of the story.
Another minor gripe I have with the film is the look of Red Skull. I feel it's a problem when I think that his "real" red face looks more fake than his "fake" human face. Nothing detracting from Hugo Weaving, I just feel the red face seems very odd and was off-putting. Arnim Zola didn't really feel necessary either and seemed only to be set up for the future films.
Positives: As you may have guessed, Chris Evans proves why he's perfect as Steve Rogers. The whole idea behind this character is that he doesn't just rely on his physique. Steve Rogers used to be like one of us; a scrawny, average, even weak kid who just wanted to do what was good, and in his time, that was serving in the army during WWII. Evans does an amazing job showing that while he does have the peak human body, that's not what fuels him. What fuels him is the desire to do good and serve his country, and that is truly commendable from his performance.
Now, we have the benefit of knowing what happens in the rest of the MCU, so I'm going to cheat a little and say that one of the reasons we buy into Cap's motivations in the future films is because of the masterful chemistry between him and Haylay Atwell's Peggy Carter. Each Captain America film features her character - but not only is she there in person, but her spirit really influences Steve. People always talk about Pepper and Tony, but don't sleep on Peggy and Steve. While Pepper is more of an assistant and support for Tony, Agent Carter holds her own against Steve, often taking the lead.
Major kudos as well to Joe Johnston and the writers for the character development. There is only so much an actor can do, but given the right material, an actor can take a character and truly lift them up. The way that Steve Rogers' arc is written throughout the film makes you root for him all the way through as the scrappy kid from Brooklyn.
I think, for the most part, the movie is paced great. There is one part that I don't quite enjoy and think is a little extraneous, but there are scenes that maybe don't seem like they fit in the film, but you realize that they are vital to build up the characters. And that's what I love. One of the reasons we care so much for Cap in the MCU as a whole is because of how well his character is developed. The filmmakers take the time to build up the characters and I love the movie for it.
The villain (more on him later) is also one of the better ones in the MCU Phase 1. I mean, he's not the best, but he's enjoyable to watch, especially in the larger sense.
And overall, what I love about the movie is that there is a strong, consistent storyline that is building towards something and has a goal. It doesn't put the characters into the background, but it also doesn't neglect the story.
Negatives: There are a few gripes I have with this film. Overall, the film is good, and it is such an enjoyable watch because of how much you care about each character.
That being said, it does sacrifice some of the action beats for these. Now, of course, I would take a great story over good action any day because I believe that action is only there to support the story. But we've seen Cap 2 and 3 and we've seen how the action can be infused into the story seamlessly. While the action in the film isn't awful, it's not memorable at all.
The third act also devolves into a maniac with a glowing cube trying to fight down a buff man with a flag outfit. It does seem a little ridiculous. But you get over it really quickly because of the characters and the heart of the story.
Another minor gripe I have with the film is the look of Red Skull. I feel it's a problem when I think that his "real" red face looks more fake than his "fake" human face. Nothing detracting from Hugo Weaving, I just feel the red face seems very odd and was off-putting. Arnim Zola didn't really feel necessary either and seemed only to be set up for the future films.
The Villain(s): No one really talks about Red Skull, but I think that's a major mistake. Hugo Weaving, one of the best actors in the industry, delivers on the character that he's given. Now granted, this isn't a great villain in the sense that he's subtle and motivated by past events a la Black Panther. But this is World War II, and if you consider the context of the character and how he is essentially a Hitler-like character, he does a great job. And like I said, Arnim Zola isn't really that important, but he's fine I suppose.
The Verdict: While I understand why many people don't talk about this movie when discussing all the favorite MCU films, this is quietly one of the most heart-felt, character-driven, fun films. Does it have the "best" anything (best performances, visuals, villain, action)? No, not really. But for what it's worth, this is a great introduction to a beloved character and a great first installment to an all time masterful trilogy. Letter Grade: B. Number Score: 8.2/10
Should I Skip?: Don't skip this one - aside from how good the film is, it's very important in setting up two other great MCU films (Cap 2 and Cap 3). It also helps introduce one of the Infinity Stones (the Tesseract). Definitely give this one a watch.
TLDR: Steve Rogers, born pre WWII, is a scrawny kid from Brooklyn who wants to serve his country. With the help of SHIELD run by Howard Stark and Peggy Carter, Steve receives a super soldier serum to enhance his physique. He goes on missions for the army but loses his best friend Bucky Barnes in one of the missions. He fights Red Skull, the leader of a rogue Nazi weapons division, who also possesses the Tesseract (an immensely powerful source of energy), and defeats him, before having to crash his plane into the water with him, his shield, and the Tesseract into the Arctic. He is cryogenically frozen for 70 years and wakes up in modern day where Nick Fury calls him in for the Avengers Initiative.
9-10: Nearly Perfect
Should I Skip?: Don't skip this one - aside from how good the film is, it's very important in setting up two other great MCU films (Cap 2 and Cap 3). It also helps introduce one of the Infinity Stones (the Tesseract). Definitely give this one a watch.
TLDR: Steve Rogers, born pre WWII, is a scrawny kid from Brooklyn who wants to serve his country. With the help of SHIELD run by Howard Stark and Peggy Carter, Steve receives a super soldier serum to enhance his physique. He goes on missions for the army but loses his best friend Bucky Barnes in one of the missions. He fights Red Skull, the leader of a rogue Nazi weapons division, who also possesses the Tesseract (an immensely powerful source of energy), and defeats him, before having to crash his plane into the water with him, his shield, and the Tesseract into the Arctic. He is cryogenically frozen for 70 years and wakes up in modern day where Nick Fury calls him in for the Avengers Initiative.
**IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER**: Letter grades and Number grades do not mean the same thing. Just because I give a film an A does not mean it gets a 9.5 or above. They do not line up like a traditional school grading system To see specifics, see below.
A- to A+: Amazing
B- to B+: Enjoyable, but Flawed
C- to C+: Redeemable in some cases, but heavily Flawed
D- to D+: Nothing but Flaws
F: A Failure of a Film
8-9: Very Good
7-8: Good
6-7: Okay
5-6: Average/Mediocre
4-5: Apparently Flawed
3-4: Heavily Flawed
2-3: A complete and utter mess
0-2: A Failure of a Film
No comments:
Post a Comment