Another week, another comic book film. Why should you bother to part with your hard-earned cash for yet another superhero film? And a superhero that was basically a propaganda tool for patriotic Americans?
Well to be honest, I'm not totally sure you should. But it's got nothing to do with the whole America thing. Promise.
Lets start with the plot. Chris Evans plays all-American piss-weed Steve Rogers, who despite wanting to ever-so-desperately fight the good fight for his country in WWII, can't get past the initial recruitment stage. After attending a World's Fair, he is encouraged to sign up to a secret government program by not-at-all evil German scientist, Dr. Abraham Erskine (played very well by Stanley Tucci). After being injected with a 'super-soldier serum', in a flash, Rogers is turned from a scrawny wet-lettuce to ripped adonis. Captain America is born!
So he's a high-jumping, marathon-running all American hero. But needs someone to fight. And boy does he have an opponent. Step up really-super-evil German Johann Schmidt a.k.a The Red Skull (played by Hugo Weaving). A man so evil even Hitler doesn't want him in the Third Reich. So yes, Evil.
Anyway, he has found an ancient energy cube that allows to him to build kick-ass weapons and generally be a bastard to all. Cap's gotta stop him. Can he save the day?
Well I'm not going to ruin the film for you, but you're not idiots. C'mon, it's called Captain America afterall. So you know the yanks are going to prevail. It's WWII, that's fine, I don't mind that. It's the fact that the way he does save the world is so...frickin'...mediocre.
Don't get me wrong, there are many a 'splosion in this film, and damn fine 'splosions they are. But the films just missing that...warmth. That sense of awe. That edge that makes comic book films so brilliant. This film just doesn't have that. It takes itself so very seriously, and it fails for it. Which is a shame, as there is plenty of campness which could have been mined perfectly, but instead is completely glossed over. Furthermore you just do not care for the characters. Honestly, throughout my viewing of this film I just didn't give a damn if Captain America prevailed. He's just so very boring.
However it's not all bad. Hugo Weaving looks like he's having an absolute blast as the Red Skull. He camps it up with a faux-German accent to a tee. And Hayley Atwell, who plays Agent Peggy Carter as Captain's Love interest, has a wonderful tenacity to her. But it's not enough.
If it's any consolation, it's a million miles better than the god-awful Green Lantern. But it hasn't got a patch on the amazing Thor, or the best superhero film of the year, X-Men: First Class. Oh and it has a teaser for the dribble-inducing Avengers movie after the end credits.
So I guess its unlucky Cap. Better luck next year with Avengers.
6/10
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