Captain America: The First Avenger

Because The Avengers will soon be hitting theaters worldwide, I decided to familiarize myself with the characters and their stories. I've seen some of the movies, but haven't seen the rest. I'm going to start it off with Captain America: The First Avenger, because as the title says, he's the first avenger (although I'm not a big comics fan so I don't know if he really was the first avenger). By the time The Avengers hit theaters, I hope I'll be done with the others as well.

This film was filled with all the cliches required of a superhero film, and the cheesiness needed for a romantic film. It showed Captain America riding on top of a moving car and jumping into an aircraft like any other action movies. It also featured a romantic story between the protagonist and Peggy Carter, which reached its climax when she kissed him before he goes on and leap to the aircraft just as it was taking off. Captain America served a bowl filled with cliches we have all seen in a lot of the other movies. Yet, somehow, it worked.

I think the appeal of the movie, at least in my perspective, was the setting. 1940s, a critical time in our history as the second World War was happening. I have always enjoyed war films, not because of the bloodshed and violence, but because it is always interesting and refreshing to see how filmmakers, most of whom didn't experience the war itself, choose to interpret the events that transpired during the period. Its the historical background that grabs my attention. The difference in this movie is the presence of a superhero. Captain America mashed up history and reality with fantasy, mostly the latter, though.

The story was consistent and coherent. I don't think there were too much going on in one scene or too little. It always had the perfect balance. What I thoroughly enjoyed in the film is the humor. For a film set during the second world war about an unlikely soldier turned hero, the script writers managed to punch the viewers with witty remarks, and it made the film all the more enjoyable. It was serious and touching, but it also had those ha-ha moments, with the possible aim of lightening up the otherwise tense mood of the film.

The best thing about the film, in my own honest opinion, were the visuals it created and presented. How the soldiers were killed, the blood of the soldier who went straight through the propeller, The lighting of the cube, the effects of the gun. I could go on and on of how brilliant the visuals and cinematography were. The scenes were alive and the effects(mostly the execution of it) elevated the film. The whole time I kept thinking how amazing the special effects were.

I've been a supporter of Chris Evans long before he did this movie. I've seen some of his other movies, and I've always though he's a talented actor. His performance in this movie was no exception. Stanley Tucci, Sebastian Stan, and Hugo Weaving were absolutely brilliant. I'm looking forward to Stan's return. I read that he signed for 5-6 films so I'm sure this wouldn't be the last time we'd see him. Somehow, I didn't connect with Hayley Atwell in this movie. I can't pinpoint why but I just didn't. Maybe if I watch it again, I'd be able to do so.

This movie deserved the success it had in the box office. In the current state of the economy, films must be able to make the audience feel that the money they are spending are money well spent. I also read that critics gave the film positive feedback, which, again, is not surprising at all.