Comics To Film: Captain America - The First Avenger (2011)

Cast: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan
Director: Joe Johnston
Country: USA
Genre: Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
Official Trailer: Here

Editor’s Note: The following review of Captain America -The First Avenger is apart of Umar’s ongoing series entitled Comics to Film.

Joe Johnston impresses with his surprisingly heart-felt depiction of one of Marvel’s most famous superheroes. Even with great special effects, fun battles and cleverly subtle nods to the different appearances of Captain America throughout the years, the main enjoyment comes from the remarkably serious and endearing performance by Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America.

The film takes place during World War II, where the Nazis’ advanced weaponry division Hydra, led by the Red Skull, is tirelessly working to create new weapons for the war. The Allies, in an effort to counter Hydra and the Nazis’ success in the war, begin their own top secret program with the only result being the former sickly Steve Rogers transforms into the super soldier Captain America.

With Captain America, and his commandos, the Allies begin to turn the tide of the war, but the Red Skull becomes even more desperate and puts his ultimate plan into action. With the fate of the world in the balance, only Captain America has the power to break into Hydra and stop the Red Skull from launching his devastating attack.

Johnston does a great job of continuing Marvel Studio’s trend of smart and character-driven films. As the final part of the series before the Avengers film, Johnston is able to avoid letting that aspect influence too much of what is going on with the plot. There are small connections to the other films, such as Thor and Incredible Hulk, but nothing as blatant as was experienced in Iron Man 2. Johnston is also able to set up moments that we can only assume will be dealt with in Avengers, or even a Captain America sequel, but this could easily be seen as a typical cliffhanger in the story. The film has great character moments with great acting, explosions and fights to satisfy all. Audiences can come to this film without watching any of Marvel’s previous superhero movies, or reading the comics, and still find the story understandable and engaging. The costumes, sets, and computer graphics are all enjoyable and smartly done, with particular emphasis given to the remarkable process in which they showed Evans being small and skinny before becoming Captain America. For fans, Captain America will be a treasure trove of amusing small references to the comics and films. For example, Captain America’s trademark costume and shield goes through all the different changes from the start of the film to the end in the same order as the changes were done in the comics over the last 70 years; and all of it with a playful mindset.

The film has great character moments with great acting, explosions and fights to satisfy all. Audiences can come to this film without watching any of Marvel’s previous superhero movies, or reading the comics, and still find the story understandable and engaging.

Special recognition should be given to Evans’ performance, as he not only is the star of the film but makes it, and his character, charming as well as action packed. Forgoing his usual ‘funny guy’ persona, Evans brings out a sincere and vulnerable side that we have not seen before. Taking the roll very seriously, Evans effectively shows the different transformations of Steve Rogers; from an awkwardly weak person who is trying to do great things, to a powerful person who feels out of place, and finally the humble superhero fans all know. Evans has the physical muscle and presence to showcase the inspiring power and honour of Captain America, but also can convey the restless, confused and heartbroken sides of Steve Rogers without sacrificing the former aspects. Evans’ version of Captain America is one that ingratiates the hearts of the audience rather than just portrays testosterone and masculinity. He is the ‘little guy’ we root for and knows the value of power but has the humility of a sincere hero. Evans conveys this persona throughout the film wonderfully, especially in the scene where he tries to get drunk, to drown his sorrows, but cannot due to the affects of the super soldier serum on his body.

Evans has the physical muscle and presence to showcase the inspiring power and honour of Captain America, but also can convey the restless, confused and heartbroken sides of Steve Rogers without sacrificing the former aspects.

The other noteworthy performances come from Hugo Weaving and Tommy Lee Jones. Both actors do their jobs flawlessly and effortlessly it seems. Weaving, who is no stranger to the villain role, is able to show a truly deranged and egotistical villain that is the perfect opposite to Captain America. Jones, while regulated to supporting role and comic relief, is a joy to watch. He easily gives off the demeanour of command and experience as a Colonel should, but is so wonderfully sarcastic that audiences cannot help but laugh. He is gruff and sceptical, but is also so lovable that the film would not be anywhere near as enjoyable without him. Captain America has a good supporting cast and they all do fine jobs, but do not stand out nor are as interesting as the main cast. The one exception being Stanley Tucci whose brief appearance as Dr. Erskine is both enjoyable and delightful.

Overall, Johnston’s take on Captain America feels more like it tries to endear its audiences with the struggles of its star than showcase a battle between good and evil. That is not to say there are not action sequences, humour and romance that will entertain, but the part of the movie that will stay with the audience after they leave the theatre will be Evans’ heart-warming performance as Steve Rogers.

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Umar Shameem

When I was 6 years old, my mother showed me the 1978 Superman movie. I watched that maybe 1000 times by the time I was 7. Ever since I have loved movies, and comic books. Fast forward 20 years, a couple film courses, several thousand comic books and over 2000 movies, and you get me. I continue to watch films of all genres and read comics. It is apart of my identity and it is something I love and hope to be able to continue loving and enjoying until the end of my days.

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