Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
It’s at this point that I have to admit a little bit of a bias - Captain America is easily my favorite amongst the Avengers’ first class. I’m not a “rah rah, America” type, but that’s actually why I love Steve Rogers so much. He loves his country, but that means he also expects it to do better. I can relate to that, as I feel the same way, and Steve isn’t afraid to point out these problems when they come to his attention.
2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger shows us the creation of Captain America, but it also shows us that what wasn’t created that day way a hero. In fact, Steve Rogers was already a hero. All he lacked was physique. The story follows him as he goes through the super-soldier serum trials, as well as his fight against Hydra, a division of the Nazis dedicated to things such as Teutonic myths and magic. In keeping with the theme that Thor presented us, however, the Red Skull, Hydra’s leader, believes that the magic of the past is simply technology we don’t understand yet. Thus, as Rogers tries to find his place in the world in the midst of World War II, the Red Skull begins to splinter from the Nazi party and take over Europe using his advanced technology.
Going with a period piece for the last Avenger being introduced is quite the decision, I’ll admit. I personally love a period piece, especially a World War II story, so I was set up to love this movie from the start. It may have even been the first one of the origin stories I saw, though that was long ago, enough so that I can’t be sure. Either way, the risk taken in making Cap’s origin congruent with the actual start of his comic run was a bold move, and it paid off in big ways.
For one, the setup of Hydra as an organization would go on to benefit not only Cap’s own movies, but some of the crossover movies as well. Civil War, Avengers, and more tap into Hydra as their villains, or as the origin of the tech the villain uses. This means that the “First Avenger” isn’t simply called as such because of his time period, but also because of how much his time period would go on to define villainy as well.
The movie’s biggest strength, to me, is that it never pretends it isn’t a pulpy, fun romp through World War II. It’s not that it doesn’t take the war seriously, but rather, it approaches it in a heightened, comic book way that stops it from being too dark of a movie. Cap and his Howling Commandos get a montage that plays in lovely pastiche of old serials, with upbeat music, over-the-top action, and hijinks galore. They’re not played off as funny, but they’re played off as old-school heroism. This juxtaposed beside Hydra and the Red Skulls scenery-chomping villainy makes for the best animated superhero show of the 80’s, and I love that for it.
When the movie does get serious, it isn’t at the cost of the fun. Rather, it works almost as a transition from that old cartoon feel to the more modern Marvel mood. After Cap suffers a loss (one that will have consequences in the future), the movie funnels down into its climax, as Cap, the Commandos, and Agent Carter herself bring the war to Hydra’s base of operation, nestled in the Alps. Here, the movie goes all in on the Marvel glitz, as the fights feel much more tight, realistic, and gritty. They’re not too gritty that you stop having fun, but they also leave that comic book casing behind.
I haven’t mentioned the love story of Rogers and Carter because I feel it deserves its own time. It’s established well here, and I like that Carter is clearly into Steve before he becomes the big, hunky Captain America. It’s a nice touch, as it makes her love for him far more genuine going forward. It has its ups and downs here, but I’ll admit, they’re a little forced for my liking. Her final kiss to him, and their promise to go dancing, is of course very heart wrenching. That’s all I’ll say on it for now. If you don’t know why I would put this off for another day, you’ll just have to trust me for now.
Chris Evans as Cap is honestly the second-best casting of the entire series, only behind Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange. None of the casting choices are bad, let me say that before you string me up. I just think some are better than others, and Benedict and Chris Evans, with Robert Downey, Jr. as the third, are so amazingly cast that they deserve to be recognized above the rest. Maybe some day I could do a post about my top ten character castings in the MCU. That could be a nice changeup from the reviews!
In the meantime, though, I can’t stress enough how important this movie is going forward, or how much I love it. A superhero adventure through World War II was always destined to be one of my faves, and it did not disappoint.
