Runtime: 02:04:08
Total Runtime: 10:02:07
Here we are now with the first installment of the first (and only so far) consistently great trilogy of films. Also, this is the first and only period piece MCU film, unless you count the 90's as a "period," then "Captain Marvel" counts as well. Also also, the birth of America's ass.
Also also also, our movie opens with the revelation of Captain America being found in some ice. In the present day. We then go all the way back to 1941, World War II in full swing. A very skinny Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to be a soldier, but can't, cause he's a skinny boy.
Though he may be small, he makes up for it with his bravery and smarts. This skinny Steve is probably my only issue with the movie. It's a well-done effect in that you can't tell it's an effect. Basically, they took Chris Evans' body and shrunk it down using computer magic.
Instead of the body double/superimposed head, the filmmakers used a “shrinking” technique and computers to basically erase portions of Evans' strong physique on screen. “We filmed over 250 shots of Chris and used digital technology to 'shrink' him down to what we called 'Skinny Steve,'” said Johnston. (Source)
Only that at points his head is way too big for his tiny body. The acting is great, the writing is great, the directing is great. But sometimes little baby Steve looks weird (to me) and it distracts from the story.
Steve tells a guy in a theater to be respectful to the military and gets beat up. he can "do this all day," but Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) shows up and shoos the bully away. In Germany, we see Nazis blow up a wall. They are led by Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving), and he has a cool Hydra pin. Hydra, for those still unaware, are a secret organization in the Marvel Universe that wants to take over the world. They steal the Tesseract from people that were safeguarding it on Earth.
It's worth pointing out that this is the first, and only, pro-military film. This is because the US military during WWII were the good guys, but now, they're just greedy people looking to make themselves rich - apparently. Moving forward, we see a young Howard Stark, played in this movie, and in the Peggy Carter series, by Dominic Cooper instead of the usual John Slattery. Stark is displaying his flying car prototype and states they're a few years away. I guess a few years is more than eighty, cause they still aren't a thing in the MCU unless you count that Wakanda tech as cars.
Steve meets with a doctor during his next attempt to join the military. Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) offers him a chance to join the army. Rogers accepts. He goes through a series of trials with other candidates for a Super Soldier program. Here he meets Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Back in Germany, we see Schmidt and Dr. Arnim Zola (Toby Jones) trying to harness the power of the Tesseract, they succeed.
In the tests, Steve proves to be the weakest and the smartest candidate. He's in the last place in every physical test, but, he successfully performs a task that no one has ever done before by taking the pole down to retrieve a flag, while every other person tried to climb the pole. He proves his bravery when Phillips throws a fake grenade into the group of test subjects and he willingly chooses to sacrifice himself for everyone's safety. But, "he's still skinny."
Howard searches for him but only finds the Tesseract. He keeps searching but never finds him. Steve wakes up in 2010, only he's in a fake room masquerading as the past. SHIELD makes a mistake by playing a game from Steve's past as if it's currently happening and blows their cover - Steve bolts. he's in modern-day Time's Square and looks really confused.
Back in Germany again, Johann is getting his portrait taken, the red paint hinting at his true identity as Red Skull. Meanwhile, Steve is chosen as the candidate to receive the Super Soldier Serum. He comes out stronger and taller.
The pec touch by Peggy was apparently completely improvised (source) which is quite funny and greatly humanizes the character. Hydra attacks the testing facility, kills Dr. Abraham, and steals a serum vial. Steve chases the guy down, breaks him out of his escape submarine, and destroys the vial in the process. The hydra agent states that he is "the first of many. Cut off one head, two shall take its place. Hail Hydra."
For some reason, Phillips doesn't want Steve to be a soldier, because "he's just one man" and he "wanted an army." So Steve does a propaganda tour and punches Hitler a lot.
His propaganda tour is accompanied by the reveal that Captain America comics exist in this universe, more propaganda, just like the original Captain America comic, whose cover is also shown in the movie in the hands of some kids. Complete with Hitler punching action.
Steve hates not being a soldier, and the soldiers don't like him being a propaganda machine. Steve learns that Bucky's battalion was taken captive and he wants to go save them. Phillips says no, cause Steve is a "Chorus girl." Peggy and Howard fly Steve out to rescue the POWs. Steve frees them and finds Bucky in the process - Bucky subtly reciting code words that brainwash him into becoming the Winter Soldier. Johann Schmidt takes off his face and reveals his Red Skull.
Steve is now honored as a good soldier boy. His newfound war hero status earns him some cred with the ladies and is kissed by a girl that isn't Peggy Carter, and Peggy sees and gets mad. She shoots at his new Vibranium shield for revenge. Steve is supposed to receive the Medal of Honor, but no shows to be a better soldier boy. A montage of Steve and his Howling Commandos happens and we see Steve keeps a picture of Peggy in his compass. Red Skull is shown to be mad, Hugo Weaving's acting is deliciously over-the-top.
The Commandos eventually arrive at a mission to retrieve Dr. Zola from a train. It goes bad. bucky falls from the train, but they successfully capture Zola. Before falling from the train Bucky picks up the shield. First hints at his possible taking of the mantle, which no longer appears to be the direction we're heading. But it's a good tease for comic fans, none the less.
Zola sells out Red Skulls location. Steve makes the plan to "knock on his front door" and they infiltrate the mountain base. There's a big fight, Steve is captured, but it's a trap! Steve chases Red Skull and Peggy kisses Steve before he jumps on the plane to confront Red Skull.
Red Skull picks up the Tesseract with his bare hands, and he is sky beamed into space. Steve can't safely stop the plane, so he rainchecks his dance with Peggy "next Saturday at eight" and crashes into the arctic where he naps for 70 years.
Fury shows up and tells him he's "been asleep for almost seventy years." Post credits he breaks a punching bag and Fury asks him to help save the world and we get a teaser trailer for "The Avengers" - Coming next summer.
The issues I have here are the same issues I had with "Iron Man," only this movie has a better climax. The romance here, between Peggy and Steve, is the only romance more believable in the MCU than Tony and Pepper. The CGI of skinny Steve is the only "real" flaw for me, it distracts slightly removing me from the story.
Official MCU 23 film ranking:
- Captain America: The First Avenger
- Iron Man
- Thor
- Iron Man 2
- The Incredible Hulk
Next in the line-up: "The Avengers" (2012)
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