In a summer filled with superhero films, Captain America: The First Avenger had the unfortunate distinction of being the last one to hit theaters; luckily, Chris Evans would be embodying a character who is not only more widely-known than Thor, the X-men, or the Green Lantern, but who also is easily one of the most iconic comic book heroes of all time. Since 2008’s Iron Man, Marvel Studios has been building a shared cinematic universe among its characters with the ultimate plan of bringing all its heroes together for next summer’s The Avengers, and Captain America was the last piece of the puzzle. While fans were excited to see the super-soldier hit the big screen, there was heavy skepticism concerning Evans’ casting, primarily because he was already known as another Marvel superhero, The Human Torch from the heavily-criticized Fantastic Four series. Still, that inconsistency didn’t stop Paramount from launching an aggressive marketing campaign to merchandise the patriotic superhero in almost every way possible. As a big fan of the character, I was understandably excited for The First Avenger, but I also fully acknowledged that, since it was featuring a superhero from World War II who would eventually resurface in the present-day to fight alongside other Marvel mainstays, the complicated story that would have to be told could easily end up a complete disaster.
Prior to this latest entry in the comic book genre, many fans would have accurately claimed that Chris Evans was the perfect Human Torch, but after The First Avenger, it is obvious that he was born to play Captain America. Almost instantaneously likable as the scrawny Steve Rogers, Chris Evans embodies the perfect underdog that everyone loves to root for and genuinely support as he makes his eventual transformation into the iconic hero. Evans is also supported by a surprisingly strong cast, whether that includes Hayley Atwell as the spunky love interest or the always-enjoyable Tommy Lee Jones as the grizzled commanding officer. Still, perhaps the most impressive element of The First Avenger is the film’s ability to capture the spirit of the WWII era and successfully blend the comic book and war genres together. Despite some weak story elements and definite missed opportunities, Captain America: The First Avenger still delivers plenty of action, excitement, and humor…simply put, do not miss it!
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Overall Recommendation: Very High
