Directed by Joe Johnston

 

Screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeeley

Based on the Marvel Comics character created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby

 

I went to all the major superhero films that were released in 2011. What can I tell you, I’m a comic book geek? I love superheroes and the escapist fantasy that they represent. But I also have to admit one other little detail. I’m just not a big fan of Captain America. So why did I see the movie based on his origin? There are two reasons. For the first, you may refer to the line that says ‘comic book geek’. The second reason is because I went to see the Thor movie and I’m not a fan of his either. In fact, the only two comic book movies that emerged last year of which I am a fan were X-Men: First Class and Green Lantern. I’m still a fan of the X-men.

    But enough about the others, I’m here to tell you what I think about Captain America. I can sum it up in one word. Eh. There are some moments in the film that should have been amazing to watch, but they were just…there. I believe that Chris Evans was a good physical fit as the good Captain, but I really didn’t find his screen presence to be all that great. To be honest, I had more fun watching Hugo Weaving chew the scenery as Johann Schmidt/The Red Skull than I did Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America. But, I digress. I don’t lay the blame squarely on Evan’s shoulders. I lay the blame solely on one person and that person is director Joe Johnston. Up to and including Captain America, I have yet to see a motion picture from Johnston that wasn’t half-ass. Jumanji-boring. Jurassic Park III-worst of the series. The Wolfman-not bad, not good, just there.

That’s the way I feel about Captain America: The First Avenger. It’s just there, that’s all.

TRIVIA

Jon Favreau was originally chosen by Marvel Studios to direct this film (which he intended to make as a buddy comedy), but he chose to direct Iron Man. Nick Cassavetes, was also considered to direct this film, and had been set as a director forIron Man in December 2004.

Louis Leterrier viewed some of the concept art for the film, and was impressed enough to offer his services, but Marvel Studios turned him down. However, his film The Incredible Hulk features a small appearance by Captain America: a deleted scene set in the Arctic features his body hidden in a slab of ice.

Hugo Weaving based the Red Skull’s accent on renowned German filmmakers Werner Herzog and Klaus Maria Brandauer.