Ah, the ’40s. A time when women wore perfectly placed red lipstick, and men wore suits to take their dames out dancing. It was the dawn of the Greatest Generation, that group of men and women who fought evil and kept the world safe for democracy. “Captain America: The First Avenger” gets the period details right. It plays a bit like a charming ’40s romance, albeit one crossed with one of those James Cagney gangster flicks of the time. It’s not as strong on that last aspect of the decade, though — the most important one.
Captain America might be the first Avenger, but his is the last of the Marvel films to be released before the upcoming ensemble “The Avengers.” The character was created during the war, and the comic reflects that. That sense of patriotism remains here, despite some cultural conservatives’ worries.
| On screen |
| ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ |
| 3.5 out of 5 stars |
| Stars: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell |
| Director: Joe Johnston |
| Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action |
| Running time: 125 minutes |
Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is the 90-pound weakling of lore. Rejected by the Army four times, the stubborn patriot tries to enlist a fifth. This time, he’s seen by Abraham Erskine, a German scientist aiding the Allied war effort. He sees the good-hearted Steve as the perfect candidate for his superserum, a weak man who wouldn’t abuse newfound power — which is exactly what the formula brings.
Erskine’s serum has been used before, but in a not-quite-ready-for-prime-time version. Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving), Hitler’s director of “terrorism,” insisted on downing it. He’s made stronger, but also more evil. He’s so dangerous that even Hitler and his henchmen try to get rid of him. They can’t.
Going after a man with superior power and superior weapons is a suicide mission. But one Captain America gladly accepts. He’s got some help. Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), the father of Iron Man, is a mechanical whiz. Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) is a colonel skeptical of Steve’s powers, but insistent on winning the war by any means possible. Peggy Carter (Peggy Atwell) is sharp and sharp-shooting; she’s also the Captain’s love interest, though one who has more to do than most.
Certain aspects of the comic book history have been changed here, but the general outlines are the same. Except that Captain America isn’t exactly helping to win the war, once Schmidt goes renegade. “His target is everywhere,” Steve says. But why? What does he hope to accomplish by decimating almost every major city, including Berlin? It’s never explained.
That’s just one of the many absurdities in this film. But it’s a comic book flick; nonsense is an inherent part of the genre. “Captain America” is much more entertaining than this summer’s earlier “Thor” and “Green Lantern.” The action is exciting, and even better, there’s humor and heart. The genuinely funny jokes don’t feel tacked on to provide a few laughs in between fights; the superhero is made a real man, as well as machine.
Though he’s aged, his name still encapsulates his mission. “I have seen the future, Captain,” Schmidt says, almost pleading. “There are no flags.” Captain American responds simply, “Not my future.”
