Captain America: The First Avenger
(B- or 2.5/4 stars)
'Captain America: The First Avenger' (directed by Joe Johnston, The Rocketeer) is a superhero film that I know I SHOULD really like (given all that it's about), but I really didn't. The movie is crafted very well. I was entertained by its preposterousness in spurts. But I left the theater shrugging my shoulders. Part of this may be due to the fact that 'CA' feels like the umpteenth superhero film to have been released this year. However solid the film is - stylistically/technically - it's still an origin story. And though I typically enjoy superhero movies (without loving most), I have some superhero fatigue.
Brooklyn, 1942: After being deemed unfit for military service, small & scrawny Steve Rogers (Chris Evans, shrunken with amazing CGI effects) volunteers for a top secret experimental program that turns him into extra-strength hero, Captain America. He is transformed into the beefy Capt. America by an ex-German scientist, Dr. Abraham Erskine (a wonderful Stanley Tucci), with the simple goals of selling war bonds, defending America's ideals, & eventually rescuing those fighting Hitler. Along the way, Capt. America impresses Col. Chester Phillips (the enjoyably crusty Tommy Lee Jones), falls for tough British agent, Peggy Carter (the buxom Hayley Atwell); and besides his loyal pal, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), makes many new friends - something he never had as scrawny Steve. But instead of going directly after Hitler, Capt. America gets sidetracked by a megalomaniacal villain named Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), who believes he is God sent to rule the world. Their final confrontation (and some of the action sets pieces before that) lack scope & energy. But it sets up next yrs. 'The Avengers' quite well.
But that's just it. Being an origin story, so much effort/time is spent explaining how Steve gains his powers & puts them to use that there's little opportunity left to properly develop an engaging plot, proper characterizations, meaningful dialogue (you know, scenes where conversations last more than a minute), or a world class villain. Red Skull looks pretty neat. But all he is over-the-top & nasty. After the fun 1st 45 min. or so of set-up, the film loses its vibe & barrels through with decent (but not great) action set piece after action set piece, providing little time for much else. I was bored with the 'in-betweens', and sometimes, during the battles. That's because aside from the obvious charms of Capt. America & some cool period details, there's not much to hold onto.
Chris Evans has an amiable screen presence. But there's not much he can do here to bring Capt. America to life; other than providing a humble back story & an obvious patriotic angle. Hayley Atwell is very attractive. I liked her steely persona, here. But having seen her in other films, I sense there's little to grasp onto with her, as well. As mentioned above, I liked TL Jones' wisecracking commanding officer, Stanley Tucci's endearing scientist, & Sebastian Stan's loyal friend. But Hugo Weaving is one-dimensionally evil. His minions, Hydra, were some pretty lame duck bad guys. And his sidekick, played by Toby Jones (normally charismatic), barely registers. They all posed considerable menace, but little threat, in my opinion.
I really enjoyed the look of this film. The period details are all in place (reminding me of Inglourious Basterds' similar brand of 1940's design). The use of smoky cinematography with CGI-backgrounds give the WWII setting a strange, retro-futuristic feel - which I also liked. There is an Alan Menken original song that plays with Busby Berkeley-like dancers during the segment where Capt. America tries to sell war bonds that I really dug. There are a few sputtering moments of thrills and/or humor interjected into the too-earnest script. But if you're looking for an unfamiliar, full-throttled adventure incorporating charismatic performances, heart-pumping human emotions, or a compelling storyline - I don't think you'll find it here. 'Captain America' is competent in many ways. But like Red Skull's vapor-like weaponry, the movie's effect dissipated into thin air once I walked out of the theater.
Brooklyn, 1942: After being deemed unfit for military service, small & scrawny Steve Rogers (Chris Evans, shrunken with amazing CGI effects) volunteers for a top secret experimental program that turns him into extra-strength hero, Captain America. He is transformed into the beefy Capt. America by an ex-German scientist, Dr. Abraham Erskine (a wonderful Stanley Tucci), with the simple goals of selling war bonds, defending America's ideals, & eventually rescuing those fighting Hitler. Along the way, Capt. America impresses Col. Chester Phillips (the enjoyably crusty Tommy Lee Jones), falls for tough British agent, Peggy Carter (the buxom Hayley Atwell); and besides his loyal pal, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), makes many new friends - something he never had as scrawny Steve. But instead of going directly after Hitler, Capt. America gets sidetracked by a megalomaniacal villain named Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), who believes he is God sent to rule the world. Their final confrontation (and some of the action sets pieces before that) lack scope & energy. But it sets up next yrs. 'The Avengers' quite well.
But that's just it. Being an origin story, so much effort/time is spent explaining how Steve gains his powers & puts them to use that there's little opportunity left to properly develop an engaging plot, proper characterizations, meaningful dialogue (you know, scenes where conversations last more than a minute), or a world class villain. Red Skull looks pretty neat. But all he is over-the-top & nasty. After the fun 1st 45 min. or so of set-up, the film loses its vibe & barrels through with decent (but not great) action set piece after action set piece, providing little time for much else. I was bored with the 'in-betweens', and sometimes, during the battles. That's because aside from the obvious charms of Capt. America & some cool period details, there's not much to hold onto.
Chris Evans has an amiable screen presence. But there's not much he can do here to bring Capt. America to life; other than providing a humble back story & an obvious patriotic angle. Hayley Atwell is very attractive. I liked her steely persona, here. But having seen her in other films, I sense there's little to grasp onto with her, as well. As mentioned above, I liked TL Jones' wisecracking commanding officer, Stanley Tucci's endearing scientist, & Sebastian Stan's loyal friend. But Hugo Weaving is one-dimensionally evil. His minions, Hydra, were some pretty lame duck bad guys. And his sidekick, played by Toby Jones (normally charismatic), barely registers. They all posed considerable menace, but little threat, in my opinion.
I really enjoyed the look of this film. The period details are all in place (reminding me of Inglourious Basterds' similar brand of 1940's design). The use of smoky cinematography with CGI-backgrounds give the WWII setting a strange, retro-futuristic feel - which I also liked. There is an Alan Menken original song that plays with Busby Berkeley-like dancers during the segment where Capt. America tries to sell war bonds that I really dug. There are a few sputtering moments of thrills and/or humor interjected into the too-earnest script. But if you're looking for an unfamiliar, full-throttled adventure incorporating charismatic performances, heart-pumping human emotions, or a compelling storyline - I don't think you'll find it here. 'Captain America' is competent in many ways. But like Red Skull's vapor-like weaponry, the movie's effect dissipated into thin air once I walked out of the theater.