Captain America- Film Review

There seems to have been an abundance of super hero based films this year. Thor, The Green Lantern and X-men First class have all attempted to boggle our minds with stunning visuals supported by A list stars. Captain America: The first Avenger is the latest in the seemingly never ending queue of comic book flicks.Filmed in 3d- as seems to be a requirement nowadays- is all of the shiny CGI and 3-dimensional wizardry just a clever smokescreen to hide beneath a mediocre film?

Superhero films are becoming quite tedious. Okay, so the Batman and Spider-man franchises have produced some very good films, but there seems to be an array of others that have come along with big expectations, yet failed to deliver. Captain America could be seen as more of the same. It is predictable and unimaginative. The good guy (Steve Rogers/ Captain America) defeats the bad guy, and ends up with the girl. Its a plot that has been recycled infinitely, but then if it aint broke, why fix it?

Chris Evans, perhaps known best from playing another superhero, Johnny storm, in the Fantastic Four films, plays the title role. He is likable as the lead, playing his role of a chemically enhanced super-soldier very well, being much less cocky than his usual self, and portraying an altogether more vulnerable being.. He is supported by actors such as Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci and Hugo Weaving, who help to turn the Hollywood blockbuster from bland to altogether more bearable. All play their parts well, although perhaps the most interesting character in the film is English rose, Peggy Carter, played by Hayley Atwell. Unlike in other superhero films, Carter almost has a personality. She is no Mary Jane. She is, if anything, the opposite, showing passion and a command over men, as well a canny knack for fighting.

Set in WWII, the plot is, at times bordering on the ridiculous, with technology looking more 2040 than 1940, but then it is a superhero film, so to expect a believable story would be silly. Of course,in the end Captain America defeats the bad guy, and saves the world, and more importantly America from being obliterated. Chants of U-S-A would have not been altogether surprising.

Although awfully formulaic, and at some times butt-clenchingly cringeworthy, Captain America is a suprisingly enjoyable film for all ages. It is by no means groundbreaking, or a thought provoking piece of art.but it manages to remain engaging throughout, providing a popcorn movie that will be a summer hit.
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