Captain America: The First Avenger- Movie Review

Directed by Joe Johnston
Screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, inspired by the Marvel comic books.
Running time: 125 minutes (2 hours, 5 mins.)
Rated PG-13 (for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action).
Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Okay, let me just get to the chase. I deem Captain America the best superhero film I've seen all year and seeing as if there won't be another until next year and I didn't see a lot of them this year, I stand by that comment.

The Story:
The film focuses on the earlier days when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) was just another guy with a dream to join the army so he can prove himself.  He not strong enough to handle it, so of course they deny him. But you can't deny that he has guts and courage, which grabs the attention of Erskine (Stanley Tucci). At a quick pace, Steve is immediatly signed on to the army and undergoes an experimental Super Soldier program for the U.S. Army  which turns him into a big, buff superhero (I guess that how steroids were thought of). As Captain America, he forms his own team and wages war against the evil (and Voldermort-like) Red Skull. As time goes by, Steve manages to make time for a little romance as he and the tough as nails but sultry Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), the first woman, he says, that he's had a full conversation with.

Everything about the film is pretty good, at times top notch. The performances are remarkable. Chris Evans still keeps the cocky, cool persona that he incorparates in every movie he does, but proves that he's more than that. He adds depth to Steve when he's skinny and adds even more when he's the Captain. Tommy Lee Jones is pretty good in this while Hayley Atwell shows us why she's one to watch. The cinematography that Shelly Johnson provides makes the film look beautiful to look at. The 1940's setting and costumes are bright, a notable example would be when Atwell wears a red dress. The film pays attention to its mythology. We get to meet Steve's best friend, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), who we all know later went on to raise the boy we know as Iron Man.

The CGI helps the story as well. It's not like Green Lantern where it didn't really move the story forward that much. In fact, it contributes well by shrinking Evans from a buff dude to a little guy (which is mentioned a bunch of times in the film) and while I didn't see the film in 3-D, I hear it's the best post converted 3-D film in a long time.

I enjoyed the film very much. It's a fun, wild ride that's humorous, exciting and action-packed.

Rating-4/5