Captain America ROCKS!!!

Rating: Null/10 (31 July 2011)

Marvel has another ace property in their string of successful comic-book adaptations and Captain America is one of them. A fine piece of action, drama, political intrigue, and most importantly of all, heart.
Chris Evans is simply incredible as the Star Spangled hero of fabled times; times that were at once innocent. But it was also a time of great economic chaos and war. Brave men and women were called upon in their country's greatest hour to fight against oppressive regimes in foreign lands. Many heroes have lived and died, but Captain America lived to fight another day. And even still, he continues to do the right thing. He didn't enter the war to kill Nazis, he instead fought for what he believed in and doing the right thing. In essence, he's the living embodiment of humanity.
What I like best about the film and what sets it apart from other Marvel films is that it takes place during WW2, giving viewers a sense of history and context. At a time when America was down on it's knees, they looked to someone who could lift their spirits. And Cap fits that void. Unlike Superman who came from a alien planet, Cap comes from our world. And it's a world that we can really relate to with a sense of verisimilitude that makes you believe that he can(like Batman) exist in our world.
The plot stays true to the comic book series while also having a pulp atmosphere to go along with the proceedings but it never goes overboard or diminish the overall story. Some say that it plays a little too much like a spy thriller; it does but it suits the story as the heroes and villains engage in various covert operations that don't seem out of place. I also like the historical and retro-futuristic weaponry and technology in the film and it's really fun to see it in action. But I'm really surprised to see some dark violence and references to the occult in Captain America. For all the time of reading about history, I've never known the Nazis for engaging in the supernatural.
All that aside, it's the acting and writing that makes this film. Hugo Weaving is simply awesome as the villainous Red Skull. Despite being a bad guy, he's surprisingly charismatic and a bit humorous albeit with a deeply dark edge. But I don't root for him to succeed as always I want good to triumph over evil in every way. And thankfully Cap and co is there to shine that Star-Spangled shield in his face and his cohorts. There's lots of action, but it's never OTT. It's a mix between the fantastical and the realistic which is a nice touch and Joe Johnston does a great job of handling it all.
So for all the Marvel films that have come out this year, Cap is one to watch, not only for it's hero, but also for what he represents to the modern audience which in context reminds us that despite being a fictional hero, what he symbolizes is a reminder that there's a Captain America in all of us.