“Captain America: The First Avenger” Movie Review Dan Koelsch, July 20, 2011 This Friday, Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios bring you the last film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before next year’s mega team-up that is The Avengers. Read my full review of Captain America: The First Avenger after the break. For those not familiar with the comic book series, Captain America is the story of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), a frail young man who desperately wants to join the Army to help the United States win World War II. A scientist (Stanley Tucci) working for the government overhears Rogers and convinces him to be a test subject for his experiment. He has developed a serum that enhances the body in almost every way, effectively creating a super soldier. The experiment works perfectly, but Rogers is relegated to the propaganda machine until he proves his worth. He and a special group of soldiers, including best friend Bucky (Sebastian Stan) go after Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), an equally unique specimen who runs Hitler’s Hydra research program, but has ambitions of his own. Joe Johnston directs, and while he has a spotty track record, I love 1991’s The Rocketeer. This film evokes many of the same emotions I felt back then. It’s fun, clever even, flashy, and doesn’t forget that it’s a superhero movie first and a war movie second. It’s not as campy as Thor or as convoluted as Iron Man 2. In fact, the Avengers plot line that is forced down our throats in the previously mentioned Marvel films is actually dealt with perfectly in The First Avenger. The cosmic cube works as a classic macguffin that weaves in Thor’s storyline nicely while hinting at potential plot lines in the future. Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), Iron Man Tony’s father, plays a pivotal role and gives some insights into Tony’s future relationship with his father and how they are surprisingly similar. I really think this is a great cast. Everyone already mentioned does a great job, and Tommy Lee Jones is perfect as a grumpy Colonel that has to train, then command Rogers. Hayley Atwell as Rogers’ love interest may be the only weak link, but she manages. Captain America fans will definitely get a kick out of the Howling Commandos. It’s hard to criticize a summer superhero too much, so all I can say is that I wish the plot was a bit more intelligent. It’s rather simple, but I think the action and comedy make up for it. I’m just happy we get to see Captain America being Captain America and some really cool action shots of the shield. The final after-credits scene wasn’t included in our screening, so I can’t say anything to that unfortunately. Either way, I am definitely looking for forward to seeing The Avengers and having this Captain America as their leader. Reviews Captain AmericaCaptain America: The First AvengerReviewThe Avengers
LOST 6×03 “What Kates Does” Recap and Review February 9, 2010April 13, 2010 To catch up on last week’s two-part season six premiere of ABC’s LOST, check out Corey’s recap and review. In this Kate/Claire centric episode, we see the ramifications of Sayid rising from the dead and (in the alternate universe) Kate escaping the airport in Claire’s cab. After Sayid’s resurrection, Dogen,… Read More
Movie Review: Prometheus June 8, 2012 It’s not an Alien prequel, they said. It’s just set in the same universe, they said. Whatever the warnings, Prometheus is still a film that shouldn’t disappoint. It explores the universe of Alien, and if you are exploring the universe of something it could ruin how you view the original…. Read More
“The World’s End” Review: Edgar Wright Ends The Cornetto Trilogy With One Rich Humorous Bite August 22, 2013August 22, 2013 It’s poetic that Edgar Wright’s The World’s End, the final film of Cornetto Trilogy, is the boldest and most flavorful of the three. The film is clearly the freshest, funniest, and most fantastically entertaining films of the summer, not once ever missing a beat or stumbling, The World’s End hits… Read More