Click Here For A SpoilerThe movie is basically a prequel for the next year's Avengers movie(big spoiler, there ). Captain America feels a lot like a classic Marvel comic ("to be continued"), but, as a movie, falls flat. Instead of a beginning, middle, and end, it offered a beginning, middle, and beginning.
The story is taken straight out of the comics with few details from Cap's classic origin changed. (Bucky is older; Tony Stark's dad plays a major role, which I don't recall from previous versions unless it's been retconned.) As such, the film offered few surprises in terms of reinterpreting the mythos, as most Marvel films have done. This is either a failing or a blessing, depending on your point of view. Personally, I like it when comics films remain true to the spirit of the original story while altering it/updating it in significant ways, as most of the X-films have done.
As expected, the movie drips with nostalgia for the 1940s: America is good, the Nazis are bad, Cap is the ultimate Boy Scout/underdog. Interestingly, Dr. Erskine tells him to never change -- and he never does, in terms of his character. (Compare, for example, the transformation Tony Stark goes through in the first Iron Man movie, from self-absorbed playboy weapons manufacturer to slightly less self-absorbed hero.) Except for his altered physique, Steve Rogers remains true-and-blue throughout. No real surprises there.
So, the film delivers what it promises but little more.
[ July 23, 2011, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: He Who LSHes ]
-------------------- The Semi-Great Gildersleeve - writing, super-heroes, and this 'n' that
From: The Stasis Zone | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I just got out of the movie theatre. My overall assessment: 4 out of 5 stars.
Click Here For A SpoilerIt is a wonderful movie, which is strong in many ways that Green Lantern was not. Captain America is a true hero who ends up rising above society's expectations, when he only wanted to meet them. The Red Skull is alot stronger and far more interesting than Hector Hammond. It may be due to the fact that, as Red Skull tells Captain America in the movie, they are bigger than flags. They are ideals and morals (or lack thereof on Red Skulls part). The use of shots in this movie was superior to that in Green Lantern as well.
As can be expected of a war movie, there is almost non-stop action. My two qualms with this film come from two specific scenes. The first was Red Skull's actions towards Hitler's other forces, which I find hard to believe from a member of Hitler's inner circle. The other scene I disliked was when Captain America was raising money for war bonds, which was far too long.
One of my favorite parts of this film was when the Red Skull mentioned, "The Fuehrer digging for trinkets in the desert." This is clearly a nod to the Indiana Jones franchise. There are other Easter Eggs hidden in this film for comic book readers.
-------------------- Go with the good and you'll be like them; go with the evil and you'll be worse than them.- Portuguese Proverb
From: Illinois | Registered: Jun 2010
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I've yet to read a bad review of this film. Thor and X-men First Class also seemed to get rave reviews.... Marvel continues to kick DC's ass in the movie department.
posted
I haven't seen it yet but my father, who many of you may know is also a major collector (who got me into comics), saw it yesterday. He's a child of the silver age and was a Marvel zombie growing up (by the 80's, his 30's, that had changed).
He ranks it among the best superhero comic book movies ever, and a possible contender for #1.
So now I'm psyched to go see this!
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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I saw the movie this weekend... thought it was great... fans of war movies will love it just as much as comic book fans... Chris Evans was very good as Cap... nice chemistry with Hayley Atwell... definitely recommend it...
-------------------- Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...
From: The waters off eastern Long Island | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Even my mom loved it! A first ever for her and a superhero movie!
From: If you don't want my peaches, honey... | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Dev - Em: Enthralled by the post credits scene.
Crap. You think I would have learned by now, but I totally wasn't even thinking to hang to the end. YouTube... here I come.
Without getting spoilery, I will say that I really like this film, too. Not my all-time favorite super-hero movie or anything, but ticket-money well spent.
I am very much a Marvel novice - I'm aware of the basic characters but haven't really read many Marvel books. That said, I am really impressed with how each of these movies expands my appreciation of the previous ones. Even apart from the obvious call backs to Iron Man and Thor, I feel like there were a few oblique Hulk references as well:
Click Here For A SpoilerFor instance, the concept that the Super-Soldier serum enhances whatever the individual is at the core - good becomes great, bad becomes evil - it made me think... hmmm... what would "angry" become?
Additionally, there was a really quick shot, when they first injected him, of Steve Rodgers eyes going into a sudden stunned shock, very similar to the Bruce Banner look when the Hulk rage starts kicking in.
All in all, I'm digging these movies and just sigh that Warner Bros can't get their act together with the characters I actually know.
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![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
). Captain America feels a lot like a classic Marvel comic ("to be continued"), but, as a movie, falls flat. Instead of a beginning, middle, and end, it offered a beginning, middle, and beginning. 
