At long last, a movie that offers both special effects and a story. What a novel idea! However, “Captain America” is difficult to fully review because of its ties other films from the past, present and future (“The Avengers”). Based
At long last, a movie that offers both special effects and a story. What a novel idea!
However, “Captain America” is difficult to fully review because of its ties other films from the past, present and future (“The Avengers”).
Based on a comic book rumored to be WWII propaganda, “Captain America” is a Marvel studios creation. Marvel also gave us the “Iron Man” and “Spider Man” movies.
The most notable movie star in “Captain America” is Oscar-winner Tommy Lee Jones (“The Fugitive”), who shows us that even in his late 60s he’s still got it.
This film has a great cameo appearance by Samuel L. Jackson (“Pulp Fiction”), who also appeared briefly in the “Iron Man” movies (rent both “Iron Man” movies).
The film boasts a multitude of references to the name “Stark,” which is Iron Man’s real last name — Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr. (“Chaplin”).
As I said, this movie ties into many other films, including “Thor” and “The Incredible Hulk.”
Capt. America is played by Chris Evans (Johnny Storm from the “Fantastic Four” movies). The film ponders “how can the U.S. government create the perfect soldier to deal with Nazi Germany?”
Chris Evans gives us a wonderful, delightful and layered portrayal as the bulked-up special weapon the U.S. government has created — Captain America.
I had no clue what the plot was going to be, so I was pleasantly surprised.
The movie relied on the story, probably because it was directed by under-rated filmmaker Joe Johnston, who directed two great films, “Jumanji” (Robin Williams) and “October Sky”( teenage Jake Gyllenhaal).
Johnston cut his teeth in the film business as art director for the special FX team of the landmark cinematic journey’s “Empire Strikes Back” (Harrison Ford) and “Return of the Jedi” (Carrie Fisher).
Johnston brings a supreme understanding of story and FX. With all the CGI movies we see coming out, I feel that each director should take a story class, too. They have too many toys. I have friends who worked on films like “X-men,” “Fantastic Four” and in fact know a few people who worked on “Captain America” and soon-to-be-released “The Avengers”. Of course, I don’t know much about these and couldn’t say what I knew, if I did.
What I do know is that this is not a macho-male movie. Everyone can enjoy it. I wouldn’t even consider this a comic book movie. It’s more of a sci-fi, war movie.
“Captain America” without a doubt earned my seal of approval.
