CAPTAIN AMERICA (REVIEW)
Rated
M - 125 mins
Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Stanley
Tucci, Derek Luke, Samuel L. Jackson
The stars and stripes
are flying high as Marvel comics super soldier Captain America goes to war in
the final piece of the puzzle before the almighty Avengers movie is released next
year. Before disgruntled readers roll their eyes in anticipation of yet another
stock-standard superhero film, stay with me.
Set during the
midst of World War 2, the propaganda machine of Uncle Sam may well and truly be
exploited, but the film starts off unlike a superhero film then works in similar
fashion throughout. Determined to serve his country, Steve Rogers is a small fry,
skinny and way too little to be accepted in the army. However, possessing the
right attitude in multiple attempts to enlist attracts the attention of recruitment
doctor Erskine (Stanley Tucci). Steve is selected as part of a hush hush government
experiment that transforms his bone structure and complete physique into a one-man
tank. The earnest weakling from Brooklyn is now an elite super soldier ready to
fight for his beloved country.
Steve's real ability is not
just his androgynous arms or skill with a titanium shield, but also inner strength
to keep getting back up in protection of others - he's a hero to the people in
a time of uncertain freedom. Captain America as he is affectionately known to
the adoring public gets within the thick of it on a mission against a rogue Nazi
villain with scruples against the very same doctor that transformed Steve The
evil Red Skull as played by a scowling Hugo Weaving, was once Johann Schmidt,
part of a similar experiment to Steve's, only his went terribly wrong and part
of a world domination scheme called Hydra.
The action is understated
thrills, period specifics are amazing, recreations of musical numbers, cars, clothes
and downtown New York all to vintage perfection. No stranger to a fancy suit to
fight crime in (he was also part of the Fantastic Four), Chris Evans is spot on
casting in the lead, just like Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Robert Downey Jr as
Ironman before him. Veteran Tommy Lee Jones delivers precise comic one-liners
on cue while Steve manages to find romance between to battle with his lovely British
commanding officer, Peggy (played by Hayley Atwell - best remembered for Woody
Allen's 'Cassandras Dream' and drama The Duchess).
Symbolism
aside, this is a good old-fashioned adventure. The links to Ironman are prevalent
with Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) part of Army intelligence showing all the sweet
talking charm his future son Tony does in years to come. As with Thor and Ironman,
don't leave before the final credits finish. There is an extra scene and sneak
peak for The Avengers.
Shane A. Bassett
