Captain America: The First Avenger Review Thread (Spoilers)

[GreenScar]

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Official Site

Trailer (Coming Soon)

Synopsis:

Based on the Marvel Comics character from World War II. A brave, yet mild-mannered young soldier named Steve Rogers, volunteers to undergo a series of experiments for a US army Super Soldier program. The military succeeds in transforming him into a human weapon, but quickly decide that their Super Soldier is far too expensive a creation to risk in combat. So, they decide to put him to use as an army celebrity and parade him across Europe to boost morale by performing in USO shows for American troops. He is even given a costume that bear the colors of Old Glory for the stage. Then, when a Nazi plot reveals itself Rogers must rise up and and become the First Avenger, in order to save his country. Steve Rogers becomes Captain America and he earns his way into the hearts and souls of every American, bringing hope and justice to a war-weary nation. Later, during a mission to Germany to stop his archenemy - The Red Skull, from launching rockets at the allies, Captain America sacrifices himself and winds up frozen in ice for almost six decades! Revived, Steve Rogers now must join forces with new heroes and become an Avenger of the modern age.

UPDATES:

Captain America’s Costume/Shield Evolves Over The Course of the Movie

Chris Evans revealed at Comic-Con that his costume in Captain America: The First Avenger evolves over the course of the film, and that we don’t really see his final suit until the end of the movie.

Evans said the following to MTV:

Evans says that Captain’s shield will also evolve over the course of the film:

Many fans seem to be worried about the suit, coming out of the leaked marketing artwork and Comic-Con teaser trailer (not available online). But comic book fans often over-think/overreact abut the wardrobe of a comic book adaptations. I remember when the first images of the X-Men were released online and the fanboys went rabid. At the end of the day, most fans loved what Bryan Singer did with the X-Men movies.

[ZedsDead]

Thanks for the info OP, looking forward to hear/see more about this.

[anomynous]

Regarding the Human Torch thing; why doesn't Marvel just buy back the rights for Fantastic 4, or even all of the properties they've sold off? It would cost a lot, but then they wouldn't have to worry about rights and quite frankly, they'd be way better movies. They could also be way more accurate to the comics...


Just wishful thinking though, and Captain America sounds good so far.

[GreenScar]

More of the same from another site:

After unveiling some dazzling new Iron Man 2 footage at Comic-Con Saturday afternoon, Marvel Studios exec Kevin Feige took time to update us on another high-profile project in his company’s ambitious pipeline, The First Avenger: Captain America.

On the film’s storyline and how it might be shaped to appeal to an international audience:

“Captain America is really the story of Steve Rogers, like Peter Parker, like Bruce Banner, like Tony Stark. By the way, Tony Stark is about as jingoistic a guy there is. He’s always talking about America, what’s right for America, making weapons to go to war with the rest of the world with and [Iron Man] did extremely well overseas because his story was engaging. This movie is Steve Rogers’ origin story, and I think it is our burden to make Steve Rogers as appealing as any of our other characters ... he’s not just the perfect boy scout who follows order every time. He has ideals he wants to live up to.”

On the decision to set the movie in World War II and the possibility of an appearance by the 1940s-era supergroup the Invaders:

“Also, setting it in World War II — the Marvel version of World War II — I think is gonna open it up in another big way ... What’s funny is it will actually end up being, I think, our most diverse and our most international film, in terms of the content of the movies itself. It takes place overseas much more than any of our other films do. In terms of the cast, there’s a group that Steve works with that will have an opportunity for many more international actors than any of our other films.”

On potential villains:

“We are gonna explore those aspects of World War II that made Cap special: the Super Soldier program, Red Skull, Hydra, all of those things that exist in the Marvel version of it. As you know if you read the comic books, the origin of Captain America is really the origin of the Marvel universe ... it’s about that time in history when the idea of the superhero began to emerge.”

Feige, who was wearing a Marvel hat in case anyone forgot where he works, indicated that they're “about halfway though” developing the script, with a target date of June 2010 for the start of production. As far as casting is concerned, don’t expect any major announcements until October, when director Joe Johnston (The Wolf Man, Hidalgo) joins the production full-time.

Can a period-based comic book flick succeed in a genre dominated by glossy, futuristic films? And is The First Avenger: Captain America the latest example of franchise-obsessed Hollywood's disturbing trend towards comic book flicks with annoyingly cumbersome titles? We'll just have to wait and see, true believers.

[EricJ]

Can a period-based comic book flick succeed in a genre dominated by glossy, futuristic films?

The period's no problem, it's just that we DON'T CARE what Steve Rogers did during the war--His Marvel story "officially" started with the 60's:
He got the serum, the Red Skull showed up, he was frozen and thawed out by the Avengers (which is where this movie will likely end, or before), that's all we need to know for the character we know..

My complaint is that Marvel is making their movies too encyclopedic just to explain canon or tie up loose ends from other major-hero titles. And while that might be nice for the loyal-true-believer aspect, it's making the movies too disposable--
Admit it, now that we've had two months to think about it, doesn't "X-Men: Wolverine" start to feel like a pointless waste of time, just because Fox and Marvel were anal enough to de-memo a few unused character designs and tie together a couple of X2 refs?

I could see a direct-video spinoff for Cap's war years to warm us up, not unike the Watchmen "Black Freighter"--But c'mon, Marvel, YOU know we're waiting for the team movie, and WE know we're waiting for the team movie; try to develop a little bit of perspective about all the "preliminaries".
And that goes for Edgar Wright's "Ant-Man" movie too.

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by EricJ

The period's no problem, it's just that we DON'T CARE what Steve Rogers did during the war--His Marvel story "officially" started with the 60's:

Who is this 'we' that you refer to.

Surely you don't mean, 'we' as in the fans of Captain America, because some do care, others don't.

Me? I wouldn't mind seeing a Captain America origin story, seeing as how the other characters are getting their origins told, I wouldn't mind Cap getting the same treatment.

He got the serum, the Red Skull showed up, he was frozen and thawed out by the Avengers (which is where this movie will likely end, or before), that's all we need to know for the character we know..

Which is likely going to be shown in the movie.

My complaint is that Marvel is making their movies too encyclopedic just to explain canon or tie up loose ends from other major-hero titles. And while that might be nice for the loyal-true-believer aspect, it's making the movies too disposable--
Admit it, now that we've had two months to think about it, doesn't "X-Men: Wolverine" start to feel like a pointless waste of time, just because Fox and Marvel were anal enough to de-memo a few unused character designs and tie together a couple of X2 refs?

Fox did Wolverine all by themselves, apparently Marvel didn't have much to do with it.

I could see a direct-video spinoff for Cap's war years to warm us up, not unike the Watchmen "Black Freighter"--But c'mon, Marvel, YOU know we're waiting for the team movie, and WE know we're waiting for the team movie; try to develop a little bit of perspective about all the "preliminaries".
And that goes for Edgar Wright's "Ant-Man" movie too.

Everyone gets an origin story leading up to the HUGE team movie so they don't have to waste the first hour explaining all of the characters.

Makes sense to me, I'm wondering why people don't get it.

Logan

[vegeta88]

Glad to see that they are keeping the international aspect in mind; though, I honestly think that people of other countries who won't watch an American themed movie probably wouldn't watch a superhero movie either.

I also want to see the origin of Captain America. While I am super excited for the team up, I'd like to see how each character got there and I like the idea of the "tent-pole" movies. It kind of broadens the scope to have different movies tie in to one universe.

[koontz1973]

This being set during WWII, will make it different from all of the other superhero films.

I hope it finishes with the freezing in ice, and being found, setting up the Avengers movie. Good cameo spot for Bruce Banner, Ironman or Fury.

I hope it is an origin film, as I do not know much of his origin and will fit in with the other films (Hulk, Ironman, Thor).

Being British, it will be nice to see some local hero's portrayed.

This will set up the Avenger's film very nicely.

[vegeta88]

Originally Posted by koontz1973

This being set during WWII, will make it different from all of the other superhero films.

I hope it finishes with the freezing in ice, and being found, setting up the Avengers movie. Good cameo spot for Bruce Banner, Ironman or Fury.

I hope it is an origin film, as I do not know much of his origin and will fit in with the other films (Hulk, Ironman, Thor).

Being British, it will be nice to see some local hero's portrayed.

This will set up the Avenger's film very nicely.

I agree. I'd actually like to have the scene after the credits; end the film with him freezing then at the end of the credits have Nick Fury or one of the others discover him, maybe unthaw him.

I haven't read his comics so the only origins I've seen are from the Ultimate Avengers and I think in Spider-Man: TAS from the 90s.

[koontz1973]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

I agree. I'd actually like to have the scene after the credits; end the film with him freezing then at the end of the credits have Nick Fury or one of the others discover him, maybe unthaw him.

I haven't read his comics so the only origins I've seen are from the Ultimate Avengers and I think in Spider-Man: TAS from the 90s.

The Ultimate Avengers is the only origin I know, (so you know more than me) and without looking through piles and piles of comics, was it not Bruce Banner who finds him with the thawing process at the head quarters. So who will play Banner, Norton or the other one.

[vegeta88]

Originally Posted by koontz1973

The Ultimate Avengers is the only origin I know, (so you know more than me) and without looking through piles and piles of comics, was it not Bruce Banner who finds him with the thawing process at the head quarters. So who will play Banner, Norton or the other one.

By "the other one" you don't mean Eric Bana do you?
I think they are trying to get Norton (if he is not gotten) and I'm leaning towards Norton wanting to come back as he is a fan of the character BUT I think he might have a big ego so who knows. That is the biggest news I am waiting for and I think GreenScar is too.

I don't know if Banner finds him, I've heard that but I don't know all the Marvel universe inside and out; I only have like 8 comic book series that I am following.

[koontz1973]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

By "the other one" you don't mean Eric Bana do you?
I think they are trying to get Norton (if he is not gotten) and I'm leaning towards Norton wanting to come back as he is a fan of the character BUT I think he might have a big ego so who knows. That is the biggest news I am waiting for and I think GreenScar is too.

I don't know if Banner finds him, I've heard that but I don't know all the Marvel universe inside and out; I only have like 8 comic book series that I am following.

That's the one, for the life of me, could not remember his name . Unlike most people, I enjoyed the Ang Lee version better, but Norton made a better Banner, so like you I hope he does come back. Was it in his contract for the Avengers movie as this has been Marvels game plan?

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

I agree. I'd actually like to have the scene after the credits; end the film with him freezing then at the end of the credits have Nick Fury or one of the others discover him, maybe unthaw him.

Greenscar would probably be able to tell folks better than I would, but I thought there was a rumor flying around about after the credits it having a scene with Nick Fury with someone calling Fury and over the phone or somesuch saying "We've found him" in reference to Cap.

Logan

[jasonicus]

No, that didn't happen in the film, but there is a glimpse of Captain America iced in the snow. Hard to see though.

[cflames89]

Originally Posted by jasonicus

No, that didn't happen in the film, but there is a glimpse of Captain America iced in the snow. Hard to see though.

I think he was referring to the possiblilty of it being after the credits for Cap.

[Clark Kent]

Captain America is my favorite Marvel superhero, but I detest all this talk from the writer about changing concepts to appeal to foreign markets. If they have to set a Cap movie in World War II, why can't it be him versus the Nazi's with some cameos from other heroes? The reason they would not use the Torch is cost as the CGI would increase the budget a great deal.

At some point a movie studio just has to take a chance and make a good movie without the incessant demands of the foreign markets.

[jasonicus]

Originally Posted by cflames89

I think he was referring to the possiblilty of it being after the credits for Cap.

Oh, misunderstood there. I would love for that to happen then. Would be a perfect jump off point, I agree.

[koontz1973]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

At some point a movie studio just has to take a chance and make a good movie without the incessant demands of the foreign markets.

Foreign markets give you around the same amount of $ as your domestic markets. Why should we not be considered?

[cflames89]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Captain America is my favorite Marvel superhero, but I detest all this talk from the writer about changing concepts to appeal to foreign markets. If they have to set a Cap movie in World War II, why can't it be him versus the Nazi's with some cameos from other heroes? The reason they would not use the Torch is cost as the CGI would increase the budget a great deal.

At some point a movie studio just has to take a chance and make a good movie without the incessant demands of the foreign markets.

Well, with an origin piece, especially one based off of Marvel's WWII, which had Cap team with the Invaders, why would they not have some of them appear in the movie?

[GreenScar]

With Marvel Studios running independently, the international box office success is essential to it's over all success. I'm sure they'll still do Cap justice. As far as the actual story of where it begins in time and ends (with him being frozen or found), it's all been speculation in these boards up until know. The only thing we know for sure is that the movie will mostly (at least) take place during WWII and that Bucky will be in the movie. Everything else right now is unconfirmed.

One things for sure, Marvel Studios is 2 for 2 with it's movies.