With The Avengers coming out a few months short of a year, Marvel had to squeeze out its final superhero movie, ironically with it being the First Avenger. Captain America: The First Avenger stars Chris Evans, who we have already seen as The Human Torch in the dreadful Fantastic Four movies and takes us back to World War II, which has been portrayed 100 different ways in 100 different films. Evans' character starts off as the scrawny Steve Rogers with pretty impressive special effects putting the burly actor's face on a tiny body. All he wants to do is join the army, but he is constantly rejected due to his size. Eventually, a doctor planning on creating a super soldier grants him access into the U.S. army to see his potential. Dr. Erskine, played by the always delightful Stanley Tucci, chooses Rogers for his experiment because he believes that a lanky man will truly appreciate the gift of strength. Thus, Captain America is born with the help of Tony Stark's dad. It all comes together, doesn't it?
On the Nazi side of WWII, we find Johann Schmidt, or the Red Skull, played by Hugo Weaving, who also experienced the work of Dr. Erskine, but since Schmidt is evil, he just became more evil...or something. The power source behind all of this isn't really explained, but it brings out the good or evil in a person and multiplies it by a significant amount. This guy is looking to take over the whole world, but Captain America will have none of that.
The action is lacking besides a few cool shield tosses and some dull motorcycle jumps, which is a shame because the film starts off pretty promising. Most of it is simply too corny. I didn't care for the tiresome "chemistry" between Rogers and Peggy Carter and their final scene is exhausting. Plus the ending, as heroic as it is intended to be, ends up being too ridiculous to care for. How does Captain America look so young in the trailer for The Avengers (which can be seen after the credits) taking place in present day when he is running around looking 30 in the 1940s? You'll find out and probably be dissatisfied.
The acting isn't bad despite all the cheesyness, but that's obviously not enough in an action flick. Tommy Lee Jones as the Colonel may be the best part. Although The Avengers could be a total bust since it is attempting to pack so many superheroes with their big egos into one film, the trailer at the end looks decent. At this point, however, I don't really care much about Marvel. At least we'll have a break until the aforementioned blockbuster, as well as The Amazing Spider-Man, both coming out next summer. Hopefully they are amazing.
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