Captain America: The First Avenger [Blu-ray] [2011] [US Import]

During World War II, Steve Rodgers wants nothing more than to join the army and to fight for his country but is unable to due to being a weak and sickly young man. He eventually gets a chance to prove himself when he is chosen to be part of an experiment to create a serum that could conceivably create the perfect soldier. Meanwhile in Europe Johann Schmidt, head of an organization called HYDRA, discovers an ancient and powerful device that could change the course of the war.The last of the individual films that lead up to the 'Avengers' movie, 'Captain America' is a greatly entertaining film and is probably one of my favourite Marvel film to date. Although the film itself is somewhat unsophisticated in its plot or execution, it still has some nice action scenes as well as some good humour and having a nice tone for the entire film. Chris Evans is good as Captain America himself, and Tommy Lee Jones is as great as always as Colonel Phillips, but it is Hugo Weaving who gives the best performance in the film as he hams it up (seemingly channelling the late Raul Julia in places) as the villainous Johann Schmidt, the Red Skull.The film isn't without its problems as some of the special effects are a little of a let-down and some of the tactics used in the battle scenes are rather simple. As well as this, there are moments in the film where it feels like it is doing nothing more than setting things up the 'Avengers' movie. These are relatively minor problems with an otherwise greatly entertaining film that is easily worth a full five stars.

Captain America is not one of my favourite super heroes. As a result this was last on my list of the recent Marvel films to see. But I was surprised to find it is very, very good. Like 'Iron Man' and 'Thor' it benefits greatly from having Marvel themselves at the creative helm so the inevitable changes made for the big screen are still in keeping with the character and his comic history.The film itself is solid entertainment and plays out like an old fashioned adventure. Unlike the 'Iron Man' films it does not sag in the middle. The CGI is faultless and unflashy. The early scenes with 'puny' Steve Rogers are totally convincing. Somehow Chris Evans head has been grafted onto a weakling body and you cannot see the join. The Red Skull looks genuinely menacing and not like some bloke in a rubber mask. The fight scenes are action packed and convincing with special credit to Cap's 'shield slinging.'One of the pleasures of these 'Marvel' produced films are the little in- jokes and nods to the comics that pass non-fans by. Included here are the Stan Lee cameo, Howard Stark, Bucky Barnes, Dum-Dum Duggan and the rest of the Howling Commandoes and, my favourite, a blink and you'll miss it, nod to Phineas Horton and his 'synthetic man' otherwise known as the original 'Human Torch.'If I've a criticism it is that the ending felt like it had been tacked on as an after thought. Steve Roger's latter day resurrection deserved more sensitivity and screen time and should not have been there just as a lead in to 'The Avengers.'A solid additon to the Marvel Studios cinematic canon.

The first time I watched Captain America I was less then impressed. Coming out after the sucesses of Iron Man and Thor this just didn't seem to be in the same league which as Captain America was supposed to be the leader of the Avengers didn't make much sense.Then about 2 weeks later through boredom I watched it again and I was impressed and the more I see the more I enjoy it. The whole story is enjoyable and because it lacks the futuristic battle scenes that Iron Man or Thor do it takes a little longer to get into the action. But once you do its brilliant and totally enjoyable.Chris Evans is very good as Steve Rodgers the man who becomes Captain America it took me a while to get past his prievious superhero persona of The Human Torch in the Fantastic Four movies but I think he does Cap very well. Hugo Weaving of Matrix and V For Vendetta fame plays the villian known as the Red Skull who seems more then a match for the star spangled man. Hayley Atwell plays the strong female love interest for Rodgers and Tommy Lee Jones is his hard assed supereor. Also in this we meet Howard Stark the farther of Tony "Iron Man" Stark and find out a little about a certain blue cube which becomes very important in later movies.In closing I really enjoyed this and highly reccomend it. Captain America is every bit as good as other Marvel movies maybe even better if you give it a chance. Stick around for the usual after credits scene as this ties further in to the Avengers.