Movie Review: Captain America: The First Avenger 3D

July 31, 2011
SM Centerpoint, Sta. Mesa

MTRCB Rating: GP
Genre: Superhero

Starring:
Chris Evans
Hugo Weaving
Tommy Lee Jones

Captain America, another comic book hero made it to the big screen. He would be the last to complete next year's superhero ensemble of The Avengers together with Iron Man, Thor, and the Incredible Hulk.

In 1942 during World war II, Steve Rogers tried to enlist himself to US military but was always denied because of his health and physical issues. During an expo of future technologies, he tried to enlist again. This time he was accepted as part of the super-soldier experiment. He was injected with a special serum to stop Johan Schmidt, a Nazi leader who suffered a side effect when he took the same treatment long ago. Rogers became taller and muscular after taking the treatment. Dr. Abraham Eskrine, who headed the experiment was killed by an assasin after the treatment. Rogers captured the assasin but commited suicide before the interrogation. Rogers became Captain America, a costume-clad ambassador who toured and gave talks to soldiers at war. In Italy, while on tour, Rogers learned that his best friend and his unit was lost in battle. Refusing to believe he was dead, he ignored his superior's orders and infiltrated the HYDRA hideout and freed the captured soldiers single-handedly. He became a hero when they retirned to their base. Then, they planned to destroy and sabotage HYDRA's bases and operations. They were succesful but his best friend was killed in the process. Captain America battled Schmidt, now known as Red Skull inside a jet. Red Skull was killed while handling a device that dissolved him into bright light. The jet crashed in the Arctic with Captain America onboard. Present day, the jet was discovered. Captain America awakened and ran to New York Times Square. Nick Fury informed him that he was asleep for 70 years.

Positive: The effects was seamless. It fascinates me how a hunk like Chris Evans was turned into a skinny physically unfit lad. What's good about this movie is that the actors was not shadowed by its flawless visual effects. The cinematography was good. It is refreshing to see a WWII setting. I got tired seeing futuristic settings from other superhero movies. The nostalgia was there and it felt good. The action scenes were splendid. The story stayed true to its comic book counterpart. The muscial scoring was fantastic. I like it a lot. Its old fashioned miltary march theme is good to the ears. Of course, Stan Lee himself. Everytime I watch a Marvel film, I'm looking forward to spot Stan Lee among the many extras in the film. And I found him as one of the generals with a few speaking lines. Congratulations to me. And yeah, the short preview of the next film after the closing credits. I like it too even I have to endure the most boring part of every movie.

Negative: Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull was unremarkable. I got bored with this character. There's this one particular flaw in the plot. It was impossible for Captain America to infiltrate the HYDRA organization base alone with a bunch of high-powered trigger-happy enemies. Unless, he was Superman.

Overall: This movie is pure fun with a nostalgic retro feeling. There's message of patriotism here which kiddos of today must learn. A very enjoyable movie. Thumbs up.

Rating: