Another Take: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Review

By Jason Haskins


After a summer of disappointment (Green Lantern), triumph (Thor), and school (X-Men: First Class), we’ve finally come to the last of the big comic book movies of the year: Captain America. Originally made in 1990 starring JD Salinger’s son, it’s safe to say that I found it hard to believe this character could translate well into the dynamic  medium of film. As my first grade math teacher always said, I was pathetically wrong.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

By Paco McCullough

Set during WWII, Captain America tells the tale of scrawny young man Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) who volunteers for a super-soldier program. After he is injected with a serum, he becomes four times stronger than any other man on the planet. Cap uses this strength to fight nazi super-genius, Red Skull (Hugo Weaving).
Captain America really wants to be Indiana Jones (makes sense, considering how director Joe Johnston got his start working on Star Wars and Indy flicks). However, it works surprisingly well. The carefree style of storytelling, the setting, and the crazy nazi villain all contribute to one of the most fun popcorn movies I’ve seen in some time. It plays like an homage without ever feeling like a ripoff.